Her face pales as she realizes I know about her past incidents.Mark looks at her with growing horror, as if seeing her clearly for the first time.
“Do what he says, Alex,” Mark tells her, voice hard.“This ends now.”
She begins to cry in earnest, but I see calculation behind the tears.“And if I do this?If I confess?What then?”
“Then you resign from the hospital.Today.You get help, real help, not this bullshit fake crying.And you never come near Dr.Blane or any other Devil Souls business again.”I step closer, letting her see the cold promise in my eyes.“Or I’ll be back.And next time, I won’t be here to talk.”
Her shoulders slump in defeat.“Fine.I’ll make the call.”
I push her phone toward her.“On speaker.Now.”
I listen as she calls the hospital administrator, confession spilling out between sobs about how she cornered Xavier, how he rejected her, how she made everything up out of anger and spite.The administrator’s voice is ice cold as she tells Alex to come in immediately to sign termination paperwork and a formal retraction.
When she hangs up, I nod once, satisfied.“Now, the police.Same story.”
“The police?”she squeaks, panic returning.“But I already told the hospital…”
“Sexual assault is a crime,” I remind her.“You committed it.Own it.”
The second call is harder for her, but with Mark’s stern encouragement and my unwavering gun, she manages a full confession to a detective who sounds increasingly disgusted as she speaks.
When she’s done, I finally lower my weapon, though I don’t put it away.
“One last thing,” I say, pulling out my phone and opening the voice recorder app.“I want you to say it again, on record, for Dr.Blane.Everything you just confessed.”
She complies, defeated now, reciting her crimes in a monotone that contrasts sharply with her earlier dramatics.When she finishes, I put my phone away, satisfied.
“If you ever try anything like this again with anyone, this recording goes public.To your family, your friends, your next employer.Everyone.”I move toward the door, pausing to look at Mark.“Get her help.Real help.Or next time she might target someone who won’t be as merciful as me.”
He nods, looking at his wife with a mixture of disgust and pity.“I will.And… I’m sorry.For what she did to your doctor.”
I don’t acknowledge his apology, just slide the door open to leave.Before I step out, I turn back one last time.“The Devil Souls have a long memory, Alex.Remember that.”
The ride back to the clubhouse clears my head, the wind scouring away the worst of my rage.By the time I pull into the parking lot, I’m calm again, centered.The recording on my phone is insurance, yes, but also vindication for Xavier.
Inside, I find him sitting with Grey and a sharp-looking man in a suit.The lawyer, presumably.Their conversation stops when I enter, Xavier’s eyes immediately finding mine and searching for answers.
I pull out my phone, set it on the table between them, and press play.Alex’s confession fills the room, her voice small and defeated as she admits to everything.
* * *
Xavier
The lawyer takes the recording,a predatory smile spreading across his face.“This is exactly what we need.”
Zach moves to my side, his hand coming to rest on the small of my back.The solid warmth of his touch grounds me, anchoring me when everything still feels unsteady.
“How did you…” I begin, then shake my head, deciding I don’t need to know the details.“Thank you.”
He simply nods, the look in his eyes telling me everything I need to know.He’d do anything to protect what’s his.And somehow, against all odds, that now includes me.
The clubhouse door bursts open, and Demon rushes in, his expression tense.“Grey, we’ve got a problem.Lookouts spotted Reaper scouts circling the perimeter again.”
Grey’s face hardens instantly, the president replacing the supportive friend.“How many?”
“Just two this time.Keeping their distance but definitely watching.”
I feel Zach stiffen beside me, his entire demeanor shifting as he slips into enforcer mode.“They’re getting bolder.”
