"Your brother found out Morrison was laundering money for criminal organizations.Calla discovered the connection to Ivy Bennett, how Morrison was using stolen MC intelligence to build his network.They were planning to tell you everything, to help you understand what kind of man you were marrying."
"That's not possible."
"It's all documented.Bank records, financial trails, witness statements.Morrison had them killed to keep you in the dark, to maintain his access to your connections, your social circle."
She's shaking her head, backing away from me."No.That's not...Ethan's not a killer."
"He hired killers.Which amounts to the same thing."
"I don't believe you."
"Then look at the evidence.I've got copies of everything in my safe.Financial records showing payments to Ivy Bennett for information about the Saints.Communication logs between Morrison and known criminals.The PI's investigation that your sister-in-law commissioned before she died."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because I was trying to protect you."
"From what?The truth?"
"From the knowledge that you almost married a man who had your brother murdered."
The words hang between us like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.I watch her process it, see the exact moment she realizes I'm telling the truth.
"Show me," she says finally."Show me the evidence."
"Angel—"
"Show me."
I lead her to my office, open the safe, and pull out the folder Walsh gave me.She reads through it with shaking hands, her face growing paler with each document.
"Oh my God," she whispers."Oh my God, this is real."
"I'm sorry."
"He killed them.Ethan killed Marcus and Calla."
"Yes."
She looks up at me with tears streaming down her face."And you were going to kill him without telling me why?"
"I was going to keep you safe.That's all that matters."
"That's not all that matters!I had a right to know what he did, to understand why—" She breaks off, pressing a hand to her mouth."I was going to marry him.I almost..."
"But you didn't.You chose to leave, to build a life with those kids, to..."
"To fall in love with you," she finishes quietly.
The admission should make me happy, but right now it just makes everything more complicated.
"I'll protect you however I have to, Angel.Even if you hate me for it."
"I don't hate you.I'm terrified of what this means, of what you're planning to do, but I don't hate you."
"Then trust me to handle this.Let me eliminate the threat so you and those kids can finally be safe."
She's quiet for a long moment, staring at the documents spread across my desk.Finally, she nods.
