The sounds of the helicopter rotors reach us from above.Through the shattered bay doors, I watch a sleek black aircraft rise from the rooftop, banking hard against the dark sky.Two figures are visible through the windows.
My father.
Cesare.
Escaping.
“No.”I try to pull away from Shelby, to do something, anything.“They’re getting away.We have to?—”
“We will.”His arms tighten around me, holding me close.“But not today.Not like this.”
“You should have shot him.”The words come out choked, caught between accusation and grief.“I told you to shoot him.I gave you permission.Why didn’t you?—”
“Because I’m not going to kill you to stop him.”Shelby pulls back just enough to cup my face in his hands.Those blue eyes, which used to be so guarded before, are completely open now.Vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen.“I’m not going to sacrifice you for anything, Serena.Not even justice.Not even for the mission.”
“But the children?—”
“We’ll find another way.”His thumbs brush the tears from my cheeks; tears I didn’t even realize I was crying.“We’ll hunt them down.And we’ll bring him to justice.But we’ll do it together.I’m not losing you in the process.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yes, I can.”He presses his forehead to mine.“I spent years believing I couldn’t protect anyone.That everyone I loved was destined to be hurt because of my failures.But you taught me differently.You taught me that love isn’t about perfect protection.It’s about showing up.Choosing to fight, even when you’re terrified.Refusing to give up.”
I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me.
The helicopter is gone now.My father and Cesare are gone.
But Shelby is here.
Shelby chose me.
And maybe that’s enough for now.
“We’ll find another way,” I repeat his words, testing them.
“Together.”He kisses my forehead, soft and reverent.“You and me against the world, remember?”
I remember Brazil.The beach.The stars.The promises we made when the future seemed bright and possible.
“Always,” I whisper back.
Around us, the Boyle forces are securing the compound.Dave is barking orders.Tommy is coordinating with Joe, who stands apart from the others, staring at the sky where our father disappeared with an expression I can’t read.The battle is over, but the war is just beginning.
Shelby helps me to my feet before scooping me into his arms.I can walk.But he’s warm and solid and real.So, I loop my arms around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder without shame.
He marches toward the exit, the waiting vehicles, and whatever comes next.I shut my eyes, and the truth reveals itself with bright clarity.
Shelby didn’t freeze.He didn’t take the shot when I demanded, not because he was frozen.He made a choice.It was a different choice than I wanted, but a choice, nonetheless.And when the moment came, when Tommy created that split-second opening, Shelby was there to catch me.
Maybe that’s what love really looks like.Not perfect heroics.Not impossible shots that save the day without cost.Just two broken people, choosing each other over and over again, finding another way when the obvious path leads to destruction.
“Shelby?”I whisper against his neck, eyes still closed.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for not shooting me.”
A rough sound escapes him, something between a laugh and a sob.“Anytime,álainn.Anytime.”
