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We definitely need to get him seen by a specialist,I think to myself.

“How are you both settling in?” Dad asks Ry and Shane.

After things started to settle down, Shane made the big decision to step back from running the Marcushios. He’d only ever stayed in the role to help us, going undercover when we needed him to. Now that Whitlock is gone, and the Marcushios are aligned with us, there’s no reason for him to stay on as leader of the family, if he doesn’t want to.

I know it’s a decision he didn’t make lightly, and he even came to speak to me about what to do. I’m the one person who can relate to the pressures he feels as the heir to his family.

His father raised him the same way mine raised me, with only one future in mind. And with his father gone, that future is here now, and it’s not at all what he wants.

He wants a real life with Ryleigh. The chance to be young, to live a normal life without fear and violence. Maybe someday in the future he might want back in, but right now, that’s the furthest thing from his mind.

With the help of me and Bree, he passed the leadership role over to his second in command, Enrico. He made sure Enrico knew that the position could be temporary, and if he decides to return to the life, he agreed to hand the title back. In the meantime, he will be ruling in Shane’s stead. Enrico has pledged allegiance to Bree, and we’re now in a partnership.

Shane was able to step away, happy in the knowledge his family was being taken care of, but that they were also working with the Doughtys. The thought of the two families he caresabout being at war was tearing him apart, and Shane always said he’d continue to rule if that’s what it takes to bring peace.

Luckily, Enrico is a sensible guy, and he’s incredibly loyal to Shane. I think the kid will always have a say in his family business, if he wants one. But this time, it will be on his terms. He will be able to choose, which is a luxury few of us get.

Since he decided to leave, Shane has enrolled in the same university as Ryleigh, and they’ve moved into their own little apartment together. I’ve never seen either of them as happy as they are right now, and I’m pleased they can finally be together after having so much standing in their way.

The meal continues the way they always do, full of life and chatter, as we all update each other on what’s been going on. We try to talk about things other than work, although there’s always the odd check-in that slips up.

Bree tells us that Lincoln and the guys from Southside Security are working with Ethan to help bring down The Baron. And Kellan is doing what he can to help Lilly locate her guys. He has a lead, but he’s not sure how it will pan out quite yet.

Not to mention, we’re all doing what we can to find out about the other leaders of The Aristocracy. Kel’s unearthed some files on other leaders called The Prince, The Count, and The King and Queen. Though we’re no closer to locating them, we have more information now, and that can only be a good thing.

When we took down The Sheriff, it was a big blow to them, but they also know we’re coming now. The element of surprise is gone, and they know we’re they’re enemy. It means we have to take more covert routes to bring them down, including getting help from outside people. But things are moving in the right direction, and Bree taking over as leader of the whole of the UK has gone off without a hitch.

The few families and gangs who refused to side with us have been dealt with, and the remaining families have pledgedtheir loyalty to Bree. They know she plans to take down The Aristocracy, and so far, there hasn’t been much backlash. I’m sure it’s coming, but for now, things are as peaceful as they’re going to get.

In the car ride home with Tee, I notice she’s a little quieter than usual, and has been since dinner. I reach over and place my hand on her thigh, and she gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“What’s the matter, Angel?” I ask, my gaze flicking between her and the road.

“Now that you’ve been given the all clear, what’s going to happen between us?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Although we’ve enjoyed being together over the last few weeks, there’s a lot that’s remained unsaid. We’ve not spoken about the future, or what we will do now that things can start getting back to normal. It doesn’t need to be spoken that Tee will be in my future, as she’s my whole fucking world, but given the way she’s looking at me, I think maybe words are needed in this case.

“I haven’t really given it much thought, if I’m being honest. All I know is that I want a future with you, and I don’t really mind what that looks like,” I admit.

“But what about your responsibilities?” she asks, pulling on her bottom lip as she nibbles on it.

“What about them?”

She looks frustrated with me, but I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t get what she wants me to say. “What do you want, Teigan?” I ask instead, hoping to get some guidance here.

“Honestly?” She looks at me nervously, and I have to resist tutting at her.

“Of course. I always want you to be honest with me.”

“I love our life here, Evan. I know now that you’re able to go back to work, that there’s probably an expectation for you toreturn to Ireland, and I promise you, I will follow you anywhere, but if I had a choice, I’d like to stay here, near London.

“I like being near your family. I’ve grown close to all of them, and they’ve become like my family, too. I see the girls as my friends, and I don’t have that back in Ireland. But not only that, Bree has offered me a life here, a purpose, and I think in the not too distant future, I’d like to take her up on it.”

While I was recovering in hospital, Teigan told me all about Bree’s offer to set her up as our victim support counsellor, working with the women and children that have experienced trauma at the hands of The Aristocracy.

The healthcare system is simply not equipped to deal with the amount of people we will flood them with when we take them down, and they need help. Tee can be that for them.

“I have actually spoken to Bree about this,” I respond, and she looks a little shocked. “Now that she’s got Nate, she wants to spend more time with him. Which is hard to do, given she’s just expanded and now rules over the whole of the UK. We talked about it, and she said if I wanted to stay here, she’d have me rule London, and I could choose a second in command to oversee Ireland for me. I’d travel there when needed, but otherwise, I’d be based here.”