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Eve snuggles closer in her sleep. I tighten my arms around her, breathing in her lavender scent.

Tomorrow will bring new challenges. The ongoing fallout from Alessandro’s death. The ever-present threat of Nicolo and his plans for Columbus.

But for now, in this moment, everything is perfect. My wife is safe in my arms, our nephew is sleeping peacefully down the hall, and all my enemies are either dead or too far away to touch us.

I close my eyes, letting Eve’s steady breathing lull me toward sleep. Just before I drift off, I hear a car engine in the distance—probably one of my men patrolling the perimeter. Good. Let them watch. Let them protect what’s mine while I hold my world in my arms.

The last thing I register is Eve mumbling something in her sleep, her hand pressed against my chest as if making sure I won’t disappear.

Never.I’m not going anywhere, love. You’re stuck with me now.

And then I’m gone, following her into dreams where no shadows can touch us.

Chapter 27

Echoes of the Past

Evelyn

The stack of case files looms over my desk like the Tower of Pisa, threatening to topple at any moment. I’ve been chipping away at the paperwork for weeks now, documenting every detail of the Columbus Mafia takedown and subsequent arrests. My hand cramps from filling out form after form, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just a few more reports to go.

The precinct bustles with its usual morning energy—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, the burnt coffee smell wafting from the break room. But there’s a heaviness in the air today that has nothing to do with unsolved cases or bureaucratic red tape.

It’s Rissa’s last day.

My eyes drift to her empty desk across from mine. The surface is already cleared, personal items packed away in cardboard boxes by her chair. Only her nameplate remains—Detective Narissa Cranewritten in gold letters.

God, I’m going to miss her.

Rissa isn’t just my partner—she’s become one of my closest friends. The person who has my back not only on the streets but in life. Who knew exactly when to push me and when to let mebe. Who never judged me for marrying Zeke or questioned my choices, even when I questioned them myself.

And now she’s leaving.

I get it, I do. After everything that’s happened—Leo’s kidnapping, the mafia takedown, the constant danger following us—I can’t blame her for wanting a quieter life. A safer one, for her and Skylar. She’s all Skylar has. Chillicothe is a good move. Less crime, better hours, a chance to actually see her daughter grow up instead of always being called away to another crime scene.

But knowing it’s the right decision doesn’t make it hurt any less.

The elevator dings and Rissa emerges, balancing two coffee cups and a paper bag that smells suspiciously like those cinnamon rolls I love from that bakery across town. My stomach growls in anticipation.

“Thought we could use some real coffee for my last day,” she says, setting one cup on my desk. “None of that break room sludge.”

I inhale deeply, savoring the rich aroma. “You’re a goddess.”

“Don’t I know it.” She perches on the edge of my desk, pulling out two massive cinnamon rolls dripping with icing. “Figured we deserved a proper treat before diving into the last of this paperwork.”

“You hate cinnamon rolls,” I point out, already reaching for one. “You always say they’re too sweet.”

She shrugs, a small smile playing at her lips. “Yeah, but you don’t. And it’s my last day, so why the hell not.”

The casual mention of it being her last day hurts. I focus on unwrapping my roll, trying to hide how much those words affect me.

“How’s the packing going?” I ask, desperate to keep things light.

“Almost done. The movers come tomorrow morning.” She takes a sip of her coffee, studying me over the rim. “Skylar’s excited. She’s already planning how to decorate her new room.”

“That’s great.” I mean it. “She deserves this. You both do.”