Ignatius continued, voice smooth and almost disturbingly calm. “Your father has fled the country.”
I blinked. “He what?”
Keegan huffed. “England. It appears he believed he would be safe there.”
Ignatius’s mouth twitched—not a smile, exactly, but something close. “Unfortunately for him, he is incorrect. His business partners have abandoned him, and several of them are cooperating with investigators. He will face prosecution.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Fraud,” Ignatius said mildly. “Several counts. International. And potentially tax evasion. A rather impressive assortment.”
Keegan snorted. “Guy thought he could outrun a federal audit. Amateur.”
Cole let out a slow breath and leaned back into the seat. I felt the tension drain out of him like water finally finding its way downhill. His fingers tightened around mine.
“He’s really gone?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” Ignatius said. “And he will not return. Not with what’s waiting for him.”
Cole stared out the window for a long moment, the reflection of snow and pines sliding over his face. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, almost stunned.
“Then…it’s over.”
I squeezed his hand. “You’re safe.”
His throat worked as he swallowed. “I don’t even know what that feels like.”
Ignatius’s voice gentled slightly. “You will. You already are.” He coughed. "We have been unable to find the blackmailer…yet, but the number he used has been disconnected. I am assured he has nothing to do with Wells or the council, so my investigators are looking into corporate sponsors, but neither of you need to worry as he has no leverage even though I am confident he hasn't yet learned his lesson. It will be something he is taught."
I smiled in relief. it was all working out. Ricky had left yesterday and Cole had hired a moving van. We would visit as soon as the season ended.
Keegan twisted in his seat so he could see us, grinning. “And now you get to do good things instead of stressing about that jackass. Tell him, Cole.”
Cole nudged the back of his seat. “You’re not supposed to announce my plans like that.”
“Phoenix deserves to know,” Keegan insisted. Then, to me, “Look at your man being noble.”
Cole groaned. “Keegan.”
But his fingers laced with mine again.
“I’ve been talking with Ignatius,” Cole said softly. “About…starting something. A foundation.”
My chest tightened, hope blooming sharp and bright. “For what?”
“For people who never had a safety net. Who grew up in shelters or on the streets. I want to fund housing, medical access, job training. Things that actually change outcomes.”
Emotion crashed over me so fast I had to blink hard.
“Cole,” I whispered, “that’s…huge.”
“It’s what a lot of people deserve. And I can finally do something about it now that he’s gone.”
Ignatius cleared his throat delicately. “If I may, the paperwork is being finalized next week. Cole has chosen the name.”
Keegan beamed like this was his favorite part. “Tell him.”
Cole looked suddenly shy, the same man who’d dazzled an entire arena just over a week ago, trying to duck his head into his hoodie. “It’s called the Phoenix Foundation,” he admitted, voice barely audible.
