"You already earned it,” Rocco said.
Dante stared at the badge for several long seconds before he accepted it. "I guess I should warn you."
Rocco raised an eyebrow. "About?"
"I've never had a partner before,” Dante said.
Rocco smiled. "You've got one now. Besides, we’ve technically been partners in taking care of Lark for six months now."
“True,” Dante said. “Thanks, man.”
“Anytime, brother,” Rocco said, clapping Dante on the shoulder. “Now, let's go home and get our girl. We have some celebrating to do.”
That evening, they stood together on the porch of the lakeside house as the sun disappeared beyond the mountains. Lark leaned back against Dante while Rocco wrapped an arm around her from her other side. They liked to keep her just where she belonged—in the middle of them.
She looked down at the tiny ultrasound picture in her hand. It was just a small heartbeat—a tiny flicker of life- but it still made her smile.
"Who do you think our baby will take after?" she asked.
Dante kissed her temple. "Well, I hope she had your heart."
Rocco smiled. "And, your courage."
She looked between them. "I hope the baby inherits both of your stubbornness."
They laughed together, and the sound echoed across the quiet lake. Once, Lark Santos had lived inside a cage built from fear. Now she stood surrounded by love, laughter, and a future she'd chosen for herself. And somewhere beneath her heart, a new life was already proving that even after the darkest nights, hope always found a way to be born.
The End
What’s coming next from K.L. Ramsey? You won’t want to miss Book 2 of the Agents of STARR series. Sophia’s Saviors coming in 2027!
Sophia
Sophia Manzo hated the color white. White walls, white sheets, and white lights humming overhead like angry insects because white meant sterile. White meant locked doors, and it meant that someone was watching.
She sat on the edge of the hospital bed with her knees pulled tight to her chest, staring at the door like it might suddenly open and swallow her whole. The doctors called this place a recovery wing, but her brother, Dante, called it her safe place to land. Sophia knew better, though. Safe was a word people used when they didn’t know what else to say. It didn’t mean anything to Sophia—not anymore.
The door opened, and Sophia flinched so hard her shoulder hit the wall behind her. “It’s me,” Dante said quickly, freezing in the doorway. “Just me.” She forced herself to breathe and count to three, just as her doctors had instructed. Her brother stood there with both hands visible, like he’d been taught how to approach wounded animals. Maybe he had. Maybe that was what she was now.
“I brought coffee,” he said softly.
Sophia glanced at the paper cup in his hand. “I don’t drink coffee.”
“You used to.” Her throat tightened because there were a lot of things she used to do. She used to sleep without the lights on. She used to laugh without checking who was listening. She used to wear perfume. She used to dance in the kitchen while Dante threatened to move out if she played one more pop song before breakfast. But now, that girl felt like she was someone else.
“That was before,” Sophia whispered. Dante’s expression crumpled before he controlled it. He was trying so hard not to look broken around her, and she hated that. She hated that Keller had stolen three years from both of them.
Dante stepped inside the room slowly. “I can take the coffee away.”
“No.” She didn’t want the coffee, but she wanted him to stay. He set it on the small table beside the bed before taking the chair closest to the door. He never sat too close anymore or even touched her unless she reached for him first. Lark had probably taught him that, or maybe STARR had.
Everyone seemed to have rules for handling Sophia now. No sudden movements, no standing behind her, no grabbing her, no locked doors, and no making promises that couldn't be kept. She understood why, but she still hated it anyway.
“How’s Lark?” she asked.
A genuine smile appeared on Dante's face. “She’s doing really well.”
“And Rocco?”
