He's right, and I hate that he's right.But Evangeline's upstairs healing from what they did to her.The kids are safe for now, but they won't stay that way if this escalates.
"Fine.But you'll have three brothers on your back.Anything goes wrong, we move."
Ghost nods."Already planned on it."
Rogue stands, walking to the window."What about the detective?"
"She came by early this morning," Ghost says."Took statements, but that's it."
My spine straightens."And?"
"And she's closing the investigation into Marcus and Calla's murder.DNA evidence ties Ethan to the crime scene.She's ruling it a home invasion gone wrong, perpetrator deceased."
The relief that hits me is physical.Justice for my sister.For Marcus.Not the way I wanted it, but justice all the same.
"She say anything else?"
"Yeah."Ghost meets my eyes."She said that she hopes she doesn't have any more dealings with us again.Next time she won't be so lenient."
"It's the end," I say."As long as the Hawks walk away."
"And if they don't?"
"Then we finish what they started."
I climb the stairs to where Evangeline's been sleeping.The door's cracked, light from the hallway spilling across her face.
She's awake, those green eyes finding me the moment I enter.
"Hey," she whispers.
"Hey yourself."I pull the chair close to her bed, taking her hand."How you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck.But alive."
"That's what matters."
"Is it over?Really over?"
I want to tell her yes.Want to promise her that the nightmare's done, that we can move forward without looking over our shoulders.But I won't lie to her.
"Almost.Ghost is meeting with the Shadow Hawks this afternoon.If they walk away, it's over.If they don't..."
"If they don't, you go to war."
"If they don't, we protect what's ours."
She's quiet for a moment, processing."And the kids?Are they safe?"
"Willow and Natalia are watching them.They're fine, Angel.They don't know anything yet."
"We have to tell them something."
"We will.When you're ready.When we know what we're dealing with."
Her fingers tighten around mine."I'm scared, Hades.Not for me, but for them.They've already lost so much."
"I know.But they've got us now.And I swear to you, nothing is going to touch them.Nothing is going to touch you.Whatever it takes."
