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“I know I will.” Leaning forward, I press my lips against his in a gentle yet firm kiss, sealing our mutual support. For a moment, time stands still, and all the dangers lurking outside our circle fade into oblivion. It’s just us, bound by trust and the promise of protection.

The sound of advancing footsteps pulls us back to reality. We turn to see Renata and Claudia entering the kitchen. Renata’s weary eyes brighten when she sees me, a tired smile gracing her lips.

“Isabella,gracias,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m finally sleeping through the night, for the first time in years.”

My heart swells at her words, and I can’t help but smile. “I’m so glad to hear that, Renata. How is Claudia doing?”

“Muy bien,” Renata continues, her daughter clinging to her side.

“Have you decided if you’re staying in the U.S.?” I ask Renata, curious about her plans now that they’re free from the cartel’s grasp.

“Sí,” she nods, her eyes distant yet hopeful. “I have never seen snow. I want to live somewhere north, as far from Mexico as I can get.”

“That can be arranged,” Vapor chimes in from across the table, his voice resolute. “We’ll make sure you and Claudia find a place where you can start anew. Somewhere safe.”

“Gracias,” Renata repeats, her gratitude deep and sincere.

Babet reaches into a cookie jar, her hands gentle as she draws out a chocolate chip treasure and presents it with a grandmotherly flourish to Claudia. The child’s eyes light up with pure joy, the type of happiness that only comes from simple acts of kindness in a world that’s been anything but kind.

“Gracias, Señora Babet,” she says. There’s a tremble in her voice, a mix of relief and the overwhelming emotion of a mother finally able to dream of a future for her daughter.

The spiky-haired matriarch smiles, her punkish appearance softened by the love that radiates from her every pore. “De nada, mi amor. Take care of yourself and your daughter.”

“I will.”

With a final nod, Renata guides Claudia out of the kitchen and toward the promise of a new beginning. Children are resilient. In time, both Claudia and Renata will thrive. They just need to get away from NOLA.

Ice shifts beside me, grimacing as he adjusts his position in his chair. I catch the subtle furrow in his brow, the sign that pain is gnawing at him again. But it’s more than physical—it’s the weight of responsibility he carries, the unending drive to keep us all safe. I can’t help but admire him, even as my heart aches to take some of that burden from his shoulders.

“Time to head back to the inn,” I say, my voice soft but firm. He can’t argue with me, not about this.

“Damn woman, always trying to get me back into bed,” Ice grumbles as he stands. “Can’t get enough of me, I guess.”

“You know I can’t.” I smile, knowing full-well that he’s using his bravado to mask his pain. I’m happy to play along so he can save face in front of his brothers.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow,” Vapor says.

“Hey, did Fang update you on the clubhouse?” Ice asks.

“Heading over there in a bit. I’ll text you when I know something. Shouldn’t be more than a few days now. I told Fang the guys are sick of living at the inn.”

“We are too,” Ice says.

“Oh, it’s fine for now.” I smile at Vapor. “But eventually, we’d like more space.”

“The new clubhouse? Shit’s gonna be a fortress,” Vapor says, grinning. “Better than the last one. You’ll see.”

“Looking forward to it. Do you think everyone will be safe there?” I ask, thinking about Juan’s threat, the one that never materialized.

"Fortified, locked down, and armed to the teeth,” Vapor says. “If Juan resurfaces, we’ll be waiting.”

“Or if one of his men take over,” Ice adds.

“I’m glad he never made good on his plan to destroy the new clubhouse.”

“We are, too.” Vapor pauses for a moment before continuing, “Never did figure out who the mole was, but someone ratted us out to the cartel. Whoever it was needs to pay.”

“Fang’s working on that, trying to find the snitch,” Ice says.