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Thirteen

Pamela

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Koda's yellow eyes bore into mine, a mixture of concern and determination etched on his face. We're huddled in the back of Lou's garage, going over the plan one last time, and I’ve never loved the woman more.

I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "Yes, I'm sure. We can't keep running forever, Koda. This is our chance to end it."

He nods, though the worry doesn't leave his eyes. "Alright. Let's go over it again. You'll enter the warehouse alone."

"Acting as bait to draw out Viper," I interject, showing him I've memorized every detail.

"Right," Koda continues, his large hand engulfing mine. "You'll be wearing a wire so we can hear everything. The moment things go south… "

"You and your team burst through the skylights," I finish for him. "Creating chaos and giving me a chance to take cover."

Koda's lips quirk in a half-smile. "You've been paying attention, little chef."

"I learned from the best," I say while squeezing his hand.

Lou, who's been silent until now, clears his throat. "Not to interrupt this touching moment, but we've got a schedule to keep. Pamela, you ready to get wired up?"

I nod, trying to ignore the flutter of nervousness in my stomach. As Lou helps me with the wire, Koda kneels in front of me, his massive frame somehow making me feel safer rather than intimidated.

"Pamela," he says. "If at any point you want to call this off, just say the word. Your safety is what matters most."

I cup his cheek, touched by his concern. "I know. But this isn't just about me anymore. It's about us, about our future. I'm ready to fight for that."

Koda leans into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opens them, there's a fierce pride shining there. "You're the bravest person I know, you know that?"

I laugh, the sound tinged with nervousness. "I learned that from you too."

With a final check of our equipment and a lingering kiss that holds all the words we're too anxious to say, we set our plan in motion. As I step out into the cool night air, ready to face whatever comes, I hold one thought:

After tonight, everything changes.

The warehouse looms before me, a hulking shadow against the night sky. My heart pounds a frantic rhythm as I approach, each step feeling like a mile. The weight of the wire I'm wearing presses against my skin, a constant reminder of what's at stake.

"Remember, little chef," Koda's gruff voice comes through my earpiece, a lifeline in the darkness. "You don't have to go through with this. Say the word, and we abort."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. The old Pamela, the one who lived a lifetime ago in the French Quarter, would have taken that offer in a heartbeat. But I'm not her anymore.

"No," I reply, my voice stronger than I feel. "We've come too far to back down now. I'm ready."

And I am. Months on the run have changed me, hardened me in ways I never expected. The woman who once froze in terror at the first sign of danger feels like a distant memory. I'm stronger now, tempered by hardship and love in equal measure.

As I push open the rusty door, the hinges groaning in protest, I can't help but think of how I got here. From that fateful night in the French Quarter to the bayou safe house, from Koda's proposal to our mating ceremony, it all leads to this moment.

The warehouse interior is dimly lit, shadows clinging to every corner. The air is thick with the scent of rust and stagnant water. I move further in, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous space.

"Well, well," a voice drawls from the darkness, sending chills down my spine. "The little witness finally decided to come out of hiding."

Viper, the gang leader, saunters into view. His eyes, cold and calculating, rake over me. I fight the urge to shrink back, instead lifting my chin defiantly.

"I want to make a deal," I say, proud of how even my voice sounds. "My silence for my freedom. I'm tired of running."

Viper laughs, the sound echoing ominously. "Oh sweetheart, you should know by now that's not how this works."

He gestures, and suddenly I'm surrounded by his men, their weapons trained on me. My pulse quickens, but I force myself to remain calm. Everything is going according to plan. I just have to keep them talking long enough.