Page 19 of King’s Reckoning (Blind Jacks MC #5)

The hospital's emergency lighting cast everything in soft shadows as Rowan implemented the final stages of Elena's documentation protocols. On Barbara's screens, a comprehensive verification system took shape that would validate the historical evidence they'd recovered. The meticulous preparation her mother had put into preserving these records would finally serve its purpose.

"Security reports movement at the east entrance,"

Cole informed them through their secure channel.

"Blackwood's brought in professional security contractors, not just corporate representatives."

"They know we're preparing to reveal everything,"

Barbara said, fingers flying across her keyboard.

"That we understand the true significance of these historical records."

The sound of raised voices echoed from the corridor. Through the observation window, Rowan caught glimpses of Devils members intercepting men in business suits and security uniforms—polite but firm as they restricted access to the hospital's private wing.

At least they hadn’t come in guns blazing this time.

"How much longer?"

King asked. He'd positioned himself by the door, maintaining watch while they worked.

"About two minutes to complete the authentication chain,"

Barbara replied, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"Then Rowan can implement the final distribution protocols."

"They'll do everything possible to stop that from happening,"

Reed's voice was strained but determined as he carefully shifted position in his hospital bed.

"Not when they're this close to permanently burying evidence that could cost them billions."

As if to prove his point, the voices in the corridor grew more insistent. Rowan could hear multiple people approaching their position, corporate lawyers and security personnel demanding access.

"East wing secure,"

Cole reported over their communication channel.

"Blackwood's legal team is claiming they have documentation proving the historical records are forgeries. They're threatening immediate legal action if we proceed with disclosure."

"Of course they are,"

Rowan said with a humorless smile.

"That's all these artifacts ever were to them—inconvenient truths that needed to be discredited or destroyed."

"No."

Reed's hand found hers, fingers intertwining with gentle strength despite his injuries.

"They're so much more than that. They're your family's legacy. Your rightful heritage."

His voice softened.

"They're the truth your mother died protecting."

Rowan met his eyes, saw everything he wasn't saying written clearly in their depths. Even now, with Blackwood’s people closing in and years of careful preparation coming to fruition, her heart responded to the unwavering support in his gaze.

"Save the romantic looks for after we finish this,"

King admonished, but Rowan caught the slight smile playing at his lips. He'd seen it too—the connection between his daughter and his Road Captain that had grown into something neither of them had expected.

Voices grew louder in the corridor. Barbara's screens flickered as she fought to maintain their secure connection against what appeared to be attempted digital interference.

"One minute to complete authentication,"

she reported.

"But Rowan needs to initiate the final delivery from the primary server. The verified documents have to be transmitted from a secure connection."

"Which means moving to a different location,"

King said with concern.

"One they're probably already watching."

Rowan studied the hospital's layout on Barbara's screens, mind racing through options. The secure communications center was on the administrative floor—currently between them and Blackwood's approaching legal team.

"We need a diversion,"

she said finally.

"Something that draws their attention while I reach the communications center."

"Already arranged,"

Cole replied with quiet confidence.

"Called in some support. Representatives from multiple chapters are arriving—not just Devils, but Kings and Iron Fists too. Even some of your own brothers who remained loyal to King. They're presenting united front documentation to Blackwood's legal team, filing counterinjunctions that will keep them tied up in procedural matters."

"They're risking their legal standing to help us,"

Reed said quietly.

"Even after learning the truth about these artifacts, about what they really represent."

"Because that's what family does,"

King replied.

"Blood or chosen—we protect our own and what rightfully belongs to them."

Rowan felt that truth settle into her bones, the simple strength of loyalty, of bonds forged through shared purpose and genuine commitment.

"Movement in the corridor,"

Barbara warned. Through the observation window, Rowan saw Devils members engaging with a group of professional-looking men and women—corporate attorneys presenting legal documents while security personnel tried to push past.

"Now or never,"

King said. He moved to check on Reed, making sure the younger man was comfortable despite his obvious desire to help.

"Barbara, stay with Reed. Monitor the authentication process. Rowan and I will handle the distribution from the communications center."

"I should be there,"

Reed argued, frustration evident in his voice.

"Should be watching your backs."

"You already did that,"

Rowan said softly. She stepped close, letting her hand cup his face.

"Took bullets meant for me. Let me return the favor by finishing this while you recover."

Before he could argue further, she leaned down and kissed him—gentle yet firm, communicating everything they hadn't had time to say. When they broke apart, his eyes were dark with emotion.

"Come back to me,"

he said quietly, the simple request carrying the weight of promise.

"Count on it,"

Rowan replied, allowing herself a genuine smile.

"We have too much to figure out. Too much future waiting."

"Nothing to figure out."

Reed's hand caught hers, squeezing firmly.

"I know exactly what I want. Have since that night at the safe house. Maybe even since that first day in the garage."

The voices in the corridor grew more insistent, cutting off Rowan's response. But her heart felt lighter as she prepared for what came next. Whatever happened, they'd finally acknowledged what had been building between them for weeks.

And Reed had made it clear he wanted more than just professional partnership or physical connection.

"Time to move,"

King said, already helping Barbara secure the authentication equipment.

"Cole's people will keep Blackwood's team occupied. Rowan and I will head for the communications center."

They slipped out through a service corridor, using the hospital's staff passages to avoid the main areas where Blackwood's legal team was attempting to serve injunctions. Rowan stayed close to her father as they made their way through quiet hallways, using Elena's detailed knowledge of the facility's layout.

"Your mother would be proud,"

King said quietly as they paused to check their route.

"Not just of how you've handled the technical aspects, but of how you've led. How you've brought people together."

"Learned from the best,"

Rowan replied.

"Both of you. Mom showed me how to think strategically, how to see patterns others missed. And you..."

She met his eyes.

"You showed me what real leadership looks like. How to earn loyalty through integrity rather than force."

Voices echoed down the corridor—Blackwood's team expanding their search, moving through the hospital with determined efficiency.

"They're searching the entire building,"

Cole warned through their communication channel.

"Legal teams on each floor, security personnel checking all exits."

"And Abby's with them,"

King added grimly.

"Directing their efforts."

"Abby,"

Rowan said with quiet anger.

"I should have realized she was feeding them information from the beginning."

"Focus on the mission,"

King reminded her gently.

"We can deal with betrayals later."

They reached the administrative level, moving carefully through quiet offices. Most of the hospital's regular staff had been temporarily relocated, giving them access to the secure communications center without civilian complications.

"Thirty seconds to complete authentication,"

Barbara reported through their earpiece.

"Rowan needs to initiate distribution as soon as the verification chain is complete."

"Almost there,"

Rowan replied. She and King rounded the final corner to find the communications center just ahead—and Blackwood standing outside with Abby at his side, both engaged in intense conversation with what appeared to be their legal team.

"—need to stop that distribution at all costs,"

Blackwood was saying.

"If these records reach the judicial review committee—"

He stopped abruptly, spotting them. His expression shifted from surprise to calculated politeness.

"Ms. Matthews,"

he said smoothly.

"I was hoping we might have a chance to discuss matters before you take any...irreversible actions."

"I think we're well past discussion,"

Rowan replied, maintaining her composure despite the confrontation. She kept moving forward, King at her side presenting a united front.

"You don't understand what's at stake,"

Abby interjected.

"The economic impact of these records becoming public. Thousands of jobs, billions in development—"

"I understand perfectly,"

Rowan cut her off.

"You're protecting corporate interests that have profited from stolen land for generations. From injustice that was carefully buried."

"It's not that simple,"

Blackwood insisted.

"These records, even if legitimate, represent a complex historical context that requires careful interpretation—"

"Which is exactly why they're being released to qualified academic authorities and legal experts,"

Rowan replied.

"Not suppressed by corporate interests with billions to lose."

On her phone, Barbara's countdown showed fifteen seconds until authentication was complete. Rowan needed to reach the communications console before then to initiate distribution.

"We have a court order,"

Blackwood said, gesturing to one of his attorneys who produced legal documents.

"Temporarily blocking distribution of any purported historical evidence until proper verification can be completed."

"Interesting timing,"

King noted.

"Considering you've spent decades ensuring these records remained buried."

"The documents have already been authenticated,"

Rowan added.

"By multiple independent experts working from Elena's comprehensive verification system."

Abby's expression changed as understanding dawned.

"The coded references in her journal—they weren't just personal notes..."

"They were authentication protocols,"

Rowan confirmed.

"Designed to create an unbreakable verification chain. One that would stand up to any legal challenge."

She stepped forward, moving past Blackwood toward the communications center. His security personnel moved to block her, but King's steady presence made them hesitate.

"You can't stop this,"

Rowan said quietly.

"These historical records are being released to over thirty independent authorities simultaneously. Academic institutions, tribal governments, historical societies, judicial review committees. Even if you block some channels, the truth will still emerge."

"You have no idea what you're doing,"

Blackwood warned.

"The economic destabilization, the legal chaos—"

"Justice is sometimes inconvenient,"

Rowan replied.

"Especially when it's been delayed for generations."

Barbara's countdown reached zero, and Rowan's phone signaled that authentication was complete. All she needed now was to reach the communications console and initiate the final distribution.

"It's over,"

King said firmly, addressing Blackwood and his team.

"Everything has been fully authenticated. All that remains is distribution."

"Which can still be prevented,"

Abby insisted, a hint of desperation in her voice.

"There are other options, compromises—"

The sound of multiple people approaching cut her off. Cole appeared at the end of the corridor, accompanied by representatives from several MC chapters. They moved with quiet confidence, forming a barrier between Rowan and Blackwood's team.

"Ms. Matthews has an appointment at the communications center,"

Cole said politely but firmly.

"I suggest you take your legal concerns through proper channels."

Blackwood assessed the situation, clearly recognizing he was outmaneuvered.

"This isn't over,"

he said quietly.

"The courts—"

"Will have complete, authenticated historical evidence to review,"

Rowan finished.

"Exactly as they should have had generations ago."

She moved past them into the communications center, King and Cole ensuring no one interfered. At the main console, she initiated the distribution protocols her mother had designed years before, sending the fully authenticated historical records to dozens of independent authorities simultaneously.

The effect was silent but profound. On the monitors, confirmation receipts began appearing from universities, legal authorities, tribal governments, and historical societies across the country. Decades of suppressed evidence finally reaching those with the expertise and integrity to ensure it received proper consideration.

"It's done,"

she said quietly as the final confirmations appeared.

"What Mom died protecting is finally where it belongs—in the hands of those who will use it properly."

King's hand found her shoulder, squeezing gently.

"She'd be proud,"

he said simply.

Outside the communications center, they could hear Blackwood and his team retreating, already on their phones coordinating legal responses. But Rowan knew it was too late. The distribution had been too widespread, the authentication too thorough. The historical truth her mother had protected was finally beyond their reach.

"What happens now?"

Cole asked as they secured the communications center.

Rowan looked at the assembled MC members—Devils, Kings, Iron Fists, and others, all who had come together to protect historical evidence that connected to their shared heritage.

"Now we do what we were always meant to do,"

she said firmly.

"What the founding families intended. We support the proper legal process as these records are evaluated. We provide testimony about how they were preserved. We work together to ensure the truth is finally acknowledged."

Cole nodded, respect evident in his expression.

"Your mother would be pleased to see rivals standing together."

"She planned for it,"

King said quietly.

"Knew this day would come. Prepared for all of us to find common ground in our shared heritage."

As the others began coordinating their next steps, Rowan's thoughts returned to Reed. To the promise in his eyes when they'd parted, to the future they might build together now that this chapter was closing.

"Go to him,"

King said, noticing her distraction.

"We've got this covered."

She didn't need to be told twice.

Reed was sitting up when she returned to his room, obviously having convinced Barbara to help him into a more dignified position. His face brightened when she entered, relief and something deeper evident in his expression.

"It's done?" he asked.

"It's done,"

she confirmed, moving to sit beside him on the bed.

"The historical records are being reviewed by qualified authorities as we speak. What my mother protected all these years is finally where it belongs."

"And Blackwood?"

"Retreating to prepare legal challenges,"

Rowan said with a small smile.

"But it's too late. The distribution was too widespread, the authentication too thorough."

Reed's hand found hers, fingers intertwining with ease.

"So what happens now? For us, I mean."

Rowan studied their joined hands, thinking about everything they'd been through together. The prospect and the Road Captain. Enemies turned allies turned something far more significant.

"Now,"

she said softly.

"we figure out what comes next. Together."

"I already know what I want,"

Reed replied, his voice low and intimate. His free hand came up to touch her face, fingers gentle against her skin.

"Have known for a while now."

"Tell me,"

she invited, leaning into his touch.

"You,"

he said simply.

"Us. Building something real together, now that all these secrets are finally in the open."

Rowan smiled, feeling a weight lift that she hadn't fully acknowledged was there.

"I want that too,"

she admitted.

"Have for longer than I realized."

His response was a kiss that held promise of much more—of a future beyond club politics and family secrets, beyond the mission that had brought them together but not the only thing keeping them that way.

When they separated, Reed's smile was unguarded in a way she rarely saw.

"Your mother would be proud,"

he said softly.

"Of what you've accomplished. Of who you've become."

"She'd like you too,"

Rowan replied, settling carefully beside him on the narrow hospital bed.

"Would approve of your stubbornness and loyalty."

Reed laughed softly, drawing her closer despite his injuries.

"High praise."

As they sat together, planning next steps and possible futures, Rowan felt a sense of completion she hadn't expected. She had come looking for her father, for answers about her mother's death. Instead, she had found a purpose that went beyond personal history, a family that extended beyond blood relations, and a partner who saw her strength as something to respect rather than control.

Elena Matthews had prepared her daughter well—not just for the mission of protecting the truth, but for recognizing what truly mattered when all was said and done.

Family. Legacy. Love.

And Rowan intended to honor all three, starting right now.