50

Six Months Later

Vincent

The last few months had been chaotic, but now, a calm sense of peace had settled over our lives. It felt almost surreal—like the calm after a storm so violent it had threatened to tear everything apart. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe without the weight of uncertainty pressing down on my chest.

The FBI investigation had finally wrapped up, taking with it the tension that had shadowed every step I took. With Rico and his men gone, their reign of chaos nothing but a memory, Leonel had skillfully taken the fall, diverting any suspicion away from me. It was a masterful move—one that came with risks—but Leonel had played his part so seamlessly that even the most seasoned investigators hadn’t batted an eye. As a gesture of gratitude (and maybe just a touch of humor), I sent him a case of his favorite energy drink along with a lifetime supply of Doritos. It was a small price to pay for his loyalty, though I had no doubt he’d been as amused by the gesture as he was relieved to have gotten out of this alive.

What I hadn’t anticipated was Luca. Once an enemy—or at least someone I couldn’t trust—he had somehow wormed his way into my team. He came with sharp instincts, quick thinking, and a cunning that made him invaluable. I didn’t want to admit it, but his presence had already paid off more times than I could count. Our rough start felt like a distant memory now, replaced by a tentative partnership that was beginning to feel solid. I was even starting to trust him, though “trust” was a strong word in my world. Still, the cautious optimism was there, growing stronger by the day.

Anthony, however, wasn’t so quick to let his guard down. He kept a close watch on Luca, his eagle eyes missing nothing. “Just to be safe,” he’d said, though the subtext was clear: he’d cut Luca down the moment he so much as breathed wrong. I didn’t discourage it—Anthony’s vigilance was something I relied on. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that Luca’s loyalties might surprise us all in the end.

For now, though, things were quiet. Peaceful, even. The battles we’d fought, the betrayals we’d uncovered, and the lives we’d been forced to destroy felt like scars—faint reminders of what we’d survived. I didn’t fool myself into thinking it would last forever. In our world, peace was a fragile, fleeting thing. But as I looked around at the calm that had finally settled, I allowed myself to believe, just for a moment, that we’d earned it.

The biggest relief, though, had been how Jennifer ’s parents reacted to our relationship. I had braced myself for confrontation and accusations, but they surprised me by being supportive. They saw how happy Jennifer was, how much we meant to each other, and they welcomed us with open arms. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.

I took a deep breath, savoring the cool evening air.

The door to the balcony slid open behind me, and I turned to see Jennifer stepping out with a soft smile. She walked over and slipped her hand into mine.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, resting her head on my shoulder.

“Just how much things have changed,” I replied, squeezing her hand. “How far we’ve come.”

She smiled, her eyes sparkling in the fading light. “It’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it?”

“It has,” I said, pulling her closer. “But I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

Jennifer tilted her head up, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Even with all the drama and danger?”

I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Even with all of that. Because it led me to you.”

Her cheeks flushed a soft pink. “You always know how to make me melt.”

“It’s one of my many talents,” I teased, leaning down to kiss her gently.

We stood there for a while, simply enjoying each other’s company as the sun dipped below the horizon.

“I love you, Jennifer . More than anything,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She gazed up at me, her eyes full of love. “I love you too, Vincent .”