Rosa Castellano steps up again to handle the questions. She's good at this. Professional. Deflecting personal inquiries, redirecting to the documented evidence, keeping the focus on Callum's pattern of behavior rather than Jessica's current living situation.
I tune out the noise. Focus on the woman at my side.
"You okay?" I murmur against her ear.
"I think so." Her voice shakes. "Did you just publicly claim me in front of regional news media?"
"Yes."
"That's going to make things complicated."
"I know."
"People are going to talk."
"Let them."
She turns her head to look at me. Her hazel eyes are swimming with tears that haven't fallen yet.
"Thank you." The words come out barely audible.
"Don't thank me." I tighten my arm around her waist. "This is what pack does."
The press conference continues for another twenty minutes. Rosa fields questions about the Morrison family's legal response, about the sealed records, about the other womenwho've agreed to come forward. Nacho answers queries about the grocery store incident, confirming that video footage exists, declining to discuss ongoing investigations.
Carlos and Pedro flank us, silent but present. A united front. Four brothers standing behind one woman.
When it's finally over, when the reporters start packing up their equipment and the crowd begins to disperse, I guide Jessica back inside the municipal building. Away from the cameras. Away from the noise.
The interior is cool and quiet. Marble floors. High ceilings. The smell of old paper and floor polish. Mayor Delgado's assistant gives us a nervous nod as we pass her desk.
I find an empty conference room and pull Jessica inside. Close the door. Lock it.
She's trembling.
"Breathe." I take her face in my hands. "It's over. You did good."
"I didn't do anything." Her voice cracks. "I just stood there while you declared war on the Morrison family in front of half the Pacific Northwest."
"War was already declared. They started it. We're finishing it."
"Sergio." She grips my wrists, holding on like I'm the only solid thing in a spinning world. "What if it backfires? What if they come after you? Your business, Nacho's job, Pedro's clinic..."
"Then we handle it." I brush my thumbs across her cheekbones. "Together."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it keeps being true."
The door rattles. Carlos's voice from outside: "You two decent in there?"
"Unfortunately." I don't release Jessica. "Come in."
The lock clicks. Carlos enters first, followed by Nacho and Pedro. The conference room suddenly feels much smaller with all five of us crowded inside.
"Rosa's handling the follow-up questions." Carlos leans against the wall, arms crossed. "She's got them eating out of her hand. Three stations have already requested interviews with the other women."
"Good." Nacho moves to the window and peers through the blinds. "The crowd's dispersing. No sign of Morrison or his parents."
