I increase the pressure on his chest, forcing him back. "You forfeited those when you put bruises on her arm."
"That's not..."
"I have video footage of you assaulting her." I lean closer, dropping my voice so only he can hear. "One phone call, and your family's lawyers won't be able to save you."
Callum's face goes pale.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
We stand there, frozen, my hand on his chest, his eyes searching my face for any sign of bluffing.
He won't find one. I don't bluff.
Jessica's voice cuts through the tension.
"Go home, Callum."
I step aside, letting her have the moment.
She's descended the porch steps, standing on solid ground now, flanked by my brothers but not hiding behind them. Her chin is lifted. Her eyes are clear.
This is the woman she was always meant to be. Before him. Before the criticism and control and constant diminishment.
“Fucking Melissa isn’t enough for you?” Her voice is tired but firm.
"Jess..."
“Go home!” She shakes her head.
She turns her back on him and walks up the porch steps, then closes the door behind her with a soft, final click.
Callum stares at the closed door.
I watch him process the reality of his situation. The power he thought he had over her has evaporated like morning fog.
"This isn't over." His voice is hoarse. "My family..."
Sergio descends the steps to stand beside me. "I spoke with your father yesterday. Explained what would happen if you continued this harassment."
"You spoke to my father?"
"He was very receptive." Sergio's voice is cold. "Apparently he's tired of cleaning up your messes. This was the final straw."
Callum's face crumples.
For a moment, he looks like a child who's been told there's no Santa Claus. The arrogance, the entitlement, the absolutecertainty that he would eventually get what he wanted... all of it drains away, leaving something small and pathetic in its wake.
"I loved her." The words come out broken.
"No." Carlos speaks for the first time, his voice uncharacteristically flat. "You loved the idea of her. That's not the same thing."
"What would you know about it?"
Carlos moves to stand on my other side, forming a wall of The Negrorios Pack. "I see it every day. In my brothers. In myself. Real love makes you bigger."
Callum stares at us. Four men. United. Unmoving.
