But then his features shifted. Serious. Almost grim.
“Even with Dresner exposed as the mastermind, he remains extremely dangerous. Deep resources. Hidden assets. Loyalists who’ll follow his orders regardless of public exposure.”
He leaned forward. “You need to lay low. Stay off the grid. Disappear completely, the way Maeve and Ronan did after their escape.”
“Understand?”
“Yeah. I understand.”
Quiet fell again. The kind that came before goodbyes.
Hellhound stood first. “We should go. Long drive ahead.”
Havoc gathered his equipment.
They moved toward the door. I followed, not quite ready to let them leave but not knowing how to ask them to stay.
At the threshold, Hellhound turned. “You did good, Xavier. You survived. That matters more than you think.”
“Take care of her,” Havoc added. “And yourself.”
“You too. Both of you.”
Hellhound’s palm landed on my shoulder. “Find peace, Blackout. You’ve earned it.”
“It’s Xavier. Just Xavier.”
Hellhound’s lips quirked. Almost a smile. “I know. I just wanted to say it one last time.”
They left.
The door closed behind them. The engine started. Gravel crunched under tires as they pulled away.
I stood in the doorway, observing until the vehicle disappeared into the trees. Until the sound faded into quiet.
Then I was alone.
I returned to the kitchen. Poured fresh caffeine. Stared out the window at snow-covered pines and endless white.
First moment to actually process what they’d revealed.
Maeve. The post. The chip removal. Colombia. The future.
My sister had been fighting for me while I’d been killing for Dresner. Building a case to destroy him while I’d been his perfect weapon.
And now I had a choice. Maybe the first real choice I’d had in eighteen months.
Hunt Dresner. Or find peace.
Revenge. Or healing.
The weapon. Or the man.
I didn’t know yet. Didn’t know who I was beyond the conditioning, beyond the kills, beyond all Dresner had made me.
But I knew one thing absolutely.
I wanted to see my sister. I wanted this thing out of my neck. I wanted to solidify what was between Clare and me. Something that was ours.
