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IRIS

I glance at him, taking in his wide, disbelieving eyes as he tries to process that I am actually here.

I haven’t seen him face to face since I turned 16.

Since Miss Rose—Vivianne—rescued me.

“Lily?”

“Spot on, Pops. Now, drop your gun.”

He shakes his head, still not believing I’m here.

With a sigh, I shrug. “I’ve warned you.”

Vivianne’s grip tightens around his arm as she forcefully twists it, forcing him down to his knees. She swiftly takes back the gun he had been holding.

She points the gun at his face. “That has always been your problem. Thinking that I was this vulnerable creature incapable of protecting myself. Well, that’s where you’ve been mistaken from the very beginning. Every word spoken, every action taken, and every detail has been meticulously planned.” She clears her throat. “I was too late when Faith called me. Too late to save her. But I promised her to always be here for her daughter. Lily has been mine ever since I cradled her in my arms the day she was born. But you wouldn’t know that, as you were absent during her birth. Or for her first birthday. If you would have been there, you would have known me. However, that was the chance I had been waiting for. You didn’t know me and had never laid eyes on me, and as the saying goes, it’s wise to keep your enemies close.”

She moves the gun closer, its cold metal brushing against his cheek. “For years, I’ve meticulously gathered information on you and your district. Lily wanted you to stay alive, so I respected her decision. But then, you hired an assassin to take the lives of her and my son.” She squats down to be at his level. “News flash, dear husband. It is I who controls the movements of hitmen.”

I clear my throat. “And hit women.”

Elijah’s intense gaze pierces through me, causing me to instinctively turn and meet his eyes. I silently mouth, “What?”

I know it’s a lot for him to take in.

It wasn’t my intention to conceal his mother’s identity, but that choice wasn’t up to me. It wasn’t until a year later that I discovered it, long after she had taken me in.

“I didn’t pay someone to end their life,” he states firmly.

I scoff. Is he truly convinced by the lies he tells?

“You didn’t?”

Our heads instinctively swivel towards the sound of the voice.

“Oliver?”

“Logan?”

My eyes widen as I look at Kai and Eli.

“What did you just say? That’s Oliver. My pimp.” I quote with my fingers.

“I’m not your pimp,” he groans.

“Nuh-uh. That’s Logan,” says Eli.

I turn back to face Oliver.

“You played on both sides? What the fuck is your name?”

“That’s what I discovered,” says Wolf. “He’s both or one, but he’s the same person who has been collaborating with each of us individually.”

“You wanted me dead,” I accuse him. “You sent them to kill me.”

“I did send them, indeed. When Stephen reached out to Logan and Oliver, he assumed they were separate people. Having worked alongside Vivianne for years, we came to the conclusion that the most effective approach would be for him to slip up and commit a mistake, which would serve as evidence against him. And he did.” He lets out a chuckle. “You would have never killed them,” he points at me. “I know you. I know your past with Elijah. Killing them was something you would have never considered, even in a million years. Playing with them, tormenting them, yes, but ending their lives, never. And you,” he gestures to Elijah. “You’d give your life for her. I had no doubt that you would go above and beyond to protect her.”

Theo walks closer to me, his presence enveloping me in a protective shield.

“Why are you choosing to disclose that information now?” Theo asks.

“Because it’s the end. Throughout the past eight years, my sole focus has been shielding Iris, ensuring her every need was met, and nurturing her growth. Like you did when you decided to join my team. To protect her. I knew who you were, Theo. That’s why I put her under your wing.” He glances at Stephen with a smirk. “It’s the end for you. The NCA is outside and ready to take you.”

Stephen let out a piercing scream as he desperately tried to break free, his eyes fixed on the gun in Vivianne’s hands. But before he can reach it, she swings the handle with brutal force, knocking him unconscious.

“Couillon.”? 1 She mutters under her breath.

With a sigh, she walks towards the door, her hand reaching out to grasp the handle and pull it open.

“He’s all yours.”

In a matter of minutes, the house is swarmed by law enforcement officers, who swiftly apprehend him and forcefully escort him out without exchanging any words.

“We will let you talk,” Kai says, his voice echoing through the now-empty house before he departs with Wolf close behind, leaving Elijah, Vivianne, Oliver, and me alone.

“Actually, I’m gonna go with them.” I try to flee, but Elijah stops me.

“Sit.”

“Okay, Daddy,” I mumble as I take a seat. “Do I really need to be here?”

“Yes, you do. You knew my mother all along, and you said nothing. Which makes me believe you knew who I was when I first met you.”

“Actually, I didn’t. I knew Miss Rose. I mean, Vivianne, but she never told me she had a child until after a year of knowing her.”

“That’s my doing.” Viv sits in front of us. “I sent you both to Gran’s cabin. I was hoping you both would find each other. Remember what I told you before you left?”

Eli nods. “Do what you excel at,” he whispers. “So you knew what my profession was, yet you never mentioned a word about it?”

Viv sighs. “I know your childhood was not easy. And that’s my fault. I promised myself at that moment that I would never allow myself to be weak and pathetic like that again.” She stands up and kneels in front of him before taking his hands between hers. “It was my responsibility to keep you safe, and I let you down. I had the chance to protect Lily, and I knew you would shield her just as you did with me.”

“You didn’t let me down.” He breathes. “It’s my job to protect you.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It is. And I’ll do it until the day I die.” He lets out a chuckle. “Even though I doubt you need my help. And I’ll protect Lily the same way.”

The sound of him saying my name is like a delicate butterfly landing softly in the pit of my stomach.

“I know you will. You all will.” Viv winks at me. “I had high hopes for you to find love with my son, but I never expected you to fall in love with all of them.”

My body tenses up with unease, and a fiery heat spreads across my cheeks.

I’m not ashamed. I know it’s unorthodox, but they are a package deal, each adding their own distinctiveness to the mix.

Elijah is my anchor, keeping me sane in all this madness. My first love.

Wolf is the one who comprehends each of us, a paradox of toughness and tenderness. My best friend.

Kai is a tormented soul, yearning for love and affection, unaware of his own desperate need. His anger reflects mine.

Archer… my sweet boy. Afraid of abandonment. That will never happen with me. He’ll always have a family, no matter what.

“I’m not judging,” Viv laughs. “I’m happy you all found each other.” She turns to glance at Eli. “And the same goes for you. I know how much you love the boys. You’ll always have a safe place with me, even though you don’t need my approval. It brings me joy to see all of you overflowing with love. Isn’t it right, Logan?”

“What the hell is your real name?” For real? I’m so confused.

“Logan Oliver Evans is my real name,” he chuckles. “And yes.” His gaze burns into mine. “As long as everyone is happy, nothing else matters. I watched you grow over the past years, and I’m proud of the woman you’ve become.”

“A killer?” I raise my brow.

“One of the best that I know.” He winks at me before standing up. “I’ll leave you guys to it. I’m sure you’re craving to be close to Strike right now.” He extends his hand towards Vivianne, silently inviting her to hold it. “Viv?”

“I’ll call you later,” she says as she takes his hand. “I love you both,” she whispers, planting a gentle kiss on Eli’s head and then on mine before silently slipping away.

“Are they… together?” I ask Eli once they leave.

“I have no fucking clue.” He sighs and stands up. “Let’s go check on Arch.”

1 ? Dickhead