“And what’s that?” Rhett strained against the cuffs.
“An opportunity to get blood on her hands.” I drew the Glock from the back of my jeans and held it at my side. “You blackmailed her. Had your girlfriend threaten and torment her.” I looked over at Beth. “Do you really want to be in the same prison as him?”
“Nah, you’re too by-the-book. You won’t kill me,”’ Rhett snapped. “Youcan’t.”
“Like I said,I’mnot doing anything.” I handed the Glock to Beth. She took it carefully, watching me with something unreadable in her eyes, then rotated the weapon in her palm.
“It’s empty,” she said flatly. “I can tell.”
I pulled the single round from my pocket.
Rhett’s face contorted. “You won’t let her do it.”
I rounded the table and grabbed his chin with my free hand, squeezing until he flinched. “You sure about that?” I leaned in. “Is it really murder if you’re already dead?” I let go of him and returned to Beth’s side.
I held the round between us like the peace offering I couldn’t believe I was giving to her.
“The choice is yours: He lives. Or he dies.”
“You really trust she won’t shoot you on your way out?” Rhett barked out, yanking at the cuffs.
I looked at Beth, then back at him. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I placed the round in her open palm. “Just the one. Make it count.” I nodded once and turned for the door.
“Alex?” she called out.
I paused in the doorway. A chambering click echoed. “Yeah?”
“You never said if you forgive me.”
The question hit harder than I wanted it to. Her voice, just this side of sincere, gave me pause. “I can’t speak for the others you hurt, but don’t shoot me and that’d be a good start.” I stepped into the hall, the heavy door clicking shut behind me.
And a second later, a shot rang out.
Epilogue
Audrey
Charleston, South Carolina; ten weeks later
The Charleston breeze drifted through the cracked window, sweet with magnolia and salt from the nearby harbor. Our new neighborhood was quiet and perfect. The kind of place where porches mattered and people actually waved when you walked by. Heck, even Reed, who lived four doors down with a Belgian Malinois puppy, sometimes managed a half smile.
Chase loved it here, especially being within walking distance of everyone he loved and so close to Reed’s puppy, who he was charged with dog-sitting when Reed was away on ops.
Trevor had already spun up on his first op with Delta Shield’s new secondary unit, which now consisted of two other former operators. Chase couldn’t have been prouder, either. His favorite people working together to save the world and catching bad guys.
We’d slipped into a routine here more easily than I’d expected. School, missions, banana bread baking. You know, life.
And tonight, Alejandro and I had something to share with our friends and family. My stomach fluttered with nerves even though I knew we’d be surrounded by love when giving everyone the news.
With Trevor out with Chase for the afternoon so we could get the place ready for the party, I’d decided to steal a few moments to decompress and play the piano first.
I’d put off trying out for an orchestra, choosing instead to play at home. In a house that had quickly become our sanctuary. This was happiness. The very definition of it. Being able to play for someone who really listened. Who truly cared.
“One more.” Alejandro gave me prayer hands when I finished what I’d meant to be my last piece.
I smiled, the sunlight filtering across the keys. Natasha had gifted us her Yamaha after the wedding, a major upgrade to the one in storage. I’d tried to argue, but she’d waved me off and said it belonged with me.
“Your mom is early to everything,” I reminded him as I glanced at the clock. “And then my mom tries to compete by being earlier than her, which means—”
