Chapter 25 - The Cleanup
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The aftermath of the shipyard shootout was a bureaucratic nightmare, but it was a nightmare we welcomed. The FBI swept in, arresting the surviving mercenaries. Thanks to the Ledger I had transmitted, global arrest warrants were issued overnight. Cartel bosses in Mexico, corrupt officials in London, and syndicate heads in New York were dragged out of their beds in handcuffs.
Victor’s empire was systematically dismantled in less than twenty-four hours.
Because I was the one who provided the encryption key and the data, Mara’s father pulled incredible political strings to grant me full federal immunity. The government got their billions and their arrests, and in exchange, the sins of my past were officially wiped from the record.
I was taken to a secure private hospital to have my bruised ribs taped and my grazed shoulder stitched. Mara didn't leave my side for a single second.
When I finally woke up from a heavy dose of painkillers the next morning, the private hospital room was bathed in warm sunlight.
"Hey," a soft voice whispered.
I turned my head. Mara was sitting in a chair beside my bed, holding my hand. Curled up on the sofa in the corner were Milo, Mason, Max, and Micah, fast asleep in a tangled pile of limbs and blankets.
"They’re safe," I rasped, my throat dry.
"They are," Mara smiled, tears brimming in her eyes. "My father brought them here this morning. The bunker is empty. The estate is cleared. It’s over, Julian."
I squeezed her hand, a profound sense of relief washing over me. For three years, I had been looking over my shoulder, waiting for the ghost of Victor to appear. I had built a fortress to protect my family, but a fortress is still a prison.
Now, the doors were finally open.
"No more secrets," I said softly.
"No more secrets," she agreed, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "We are going to go home. We are going to raise our boys. And we are going to be normal."
I chuckled, which hurt my ribs terribly. "I don't think there's anything normal about us, Mrs. Vance."
"Perfectly normal is boring anyway," she whispered, kissing my lips gently.
Two days later, I was discharged. We returned to the mountain estate. The heavy security presence had been scaled back. The laser grids were deactivated. The gates were open, letting the afternoon sun pour across the manicured lawns.
May you like
I watched from the porch as the quadruplets ran across the grass, chasing a golden retriever puppy Mara’s father had bought them as a "welcome home" gift. Their laughter echoed across the property, wild and free.
I wrapped my arm around Mara’s waist, pulling her close. The storm had passed, and for the first time in my life, I could see a clear horizon.
