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EPILOGUE

NICK

The Next Day

Scarlet circles the Christmas tree, fingering ornaments as she inspects the noble fir. I relax into the sofa, content to observe my angel.

Outside, the wind howls with an incoming storm. Inside the cozy cottage, the fire crackles. With each passing second, I slip deeper into relaxation.

Jack Sullivan and his partner, a man named Ryan Wolfgang, argued against lying low in Greece. They said that given I’d done extensive construction work on a sizeable home on a small island, the owner would be known, discreet paperwork be damned. In truth, they’re probably right. Besides, I had to bribe a few in the Greek mafia to get it built, so right there sits a weak link.

It worked as a hideaway when I didn’t have experts searching for me.

There’s also the likelihood the Greek mafia won’t take kindly to hosting a witness for the upcoming drug trafficking trial. While the Greeks and Italians aren’t besties, there’s a code of honor amongst thieves, and turning a brethren in violates said code.

Drago insisted we stay at one of his remote homes. Claims the estate is difficult to get to and so remote that while someone might see a helicopter traveling over the islands, they won’t care who’s in it, and the locals, of which there are few, will assume it’s Drago. The flight manifest doesn’t list our names. And he swears the staff he has on-site will see to our every need.

I’m not fond of leaving Lina behind, but I’m assured she’s in good hands. And this little respite is temporary, a moment to regroup.

I said I trusted Drago, and we’ll find out if that trust is warranted. If I’m right, it’s a good job. I’ll have insight into the frayed syndicate while I sort this mess.

Ash survived the bombing, but he nearly lost an arm. Miraculously, no one lost their lives. The authorities are combing the estate under my team’s oversight.

Drago and his staff are helping to control the narrative. At the moment, all is hush-hush, and in theory, my enemies don’t know if I’m dead or alive.

We couldn’t trace the message from the so-called Prophet. I’d bet my last pound it’s Halston. Dorian may or may not be aware. At this point, coming at me is a game for the demented prick. Drago isn’t convinced the Moores are the culprits, but he agrees it’s a conceivable scenario. He’s convinced it’s Russia. Maybe Putin himself.

Drago’s place in the Shetland Islands is one that he keeps under a trust. It’s difficult to get to and hours from any urban center. If all goes as planned, we’ll spend the holiday here and return to my London flat in the new year.

Our allies are much more concerned with the disparate attacks and this idea that it’s all testing for a much larger, coordinated attack. According to Jack Sullivan, the world’s intelligence agencies are convening, working around the clock. We’ll work together.

The European authorities want to find this Prophet as much as I do, given the use of militarized drones has the public up in arms.

I’ve agreed to use my resources and contacts to stunt any coordinated attack and to determine who’s guilty. No one wants to blame the wrong party, especially a country, and bring us into war. Right now, we need more intel.

A satellite phone sits on the coffee table. Reception for cellular isn’t present where we’re located. In another room, there’s a hardwired computer with access to the world. Drago, like me, is a tech guy, and we’ll be good here. I’ll weigh in as much as I can.

The one bright spot? The case against the Lupi Grigi’s smuggling business will proceed. The authorities have unearthed enough evidence and witnesses that the famiglia’s leaders will be locked up with or without Scarlet’s testimony. Massimo is being held without bail. Pearson’s media conglomerate will run a series on the affair, and within a week, every major news outlet will follow suit. The investigation is unstoppable.

“Are these Drago’s family ornaments?” Scarlet asks.

“I’ve no idea. Could be his staff’s.”

“Did we kick someone out of the cottage?”

“No, love. The caretakers live not too far away. Keeping this place up is their whole job, plus I think they have sheep or something. Work options are slim out here, so they’re grateful for the year-round work. I don’t think they’re bothered too often.”

They’ve stocked the kitchen and promised to be by every three days with more supplies. Other than that, Scarlet and I are on our own.

Whoever came after us are lucky bastards. If they’d harmed Scarlet, I’d be ensconced in a sky-high flat in London daring any fuckwit to come after me, and I’d be drafting a terminal list. Instead, I’ll wait to see what the police, the intelligence blokes, and Arrow dig up. Then I’ll draft that bloody list.

In the meantime, Scarlet’s safety remains my concern. No one will stumble upon us out here in this remote spot in Shetland.

“This is really nice,” Scarlet says.

“You like it?”

The best attribute I see to the place is that it’s secluded. If it weren’t so bloody frigid, we could fuck outside by the cliffs.

She abandons the decorated tree to stand before me and cocks her head to the side.

“You worried about being bored?”

“No,” I answer honestly. “I think we’ll find plenty to do.”

“Are you planning on hunting?”

“No.” I’m not big into hunting. Although that is a reason people travel here.

“I didn’t see any golf courses.” She smiles a teasing, flirtatious smile.

“I don’t golf,” I say.

“I thought that’s big in Scotland.”

“It is. Not here.”

“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?”

She straddles me on the sofa, and my hands fall to her hips.

“I’m a touch knackered.” I barely slept last night, what with getting reports, answering questions, and ensuring my staff had been taken care of, and today’s been a travel day.

“So, how do you envision us spending our days?”

The firelight casts a halo around her, and I reach for her, cupping her cheek in my palm.

“Shagging. Eating. Every once in a while, maybe we’ll brave the elements for a hike.”

“And what about when this is over? When the holiday is past?”

“Whatever you like.” It’s an honest answer. “Would you like to live the life of a digital nomad? We can travel. Go wherever you wish. What is it that you want, my love?”

“Do you know you’re the first person to ever ask me that?”

“That’s criminal.”

My back muscles ache, and I pat her thigh. She intuitively understands and rises. I reposition a few pillows and lie back, gesturing for her to join me, and pull a blanket over us. She rests her head in the crook of my shoulder. A sense of peace washes over me.

“What about you? What do you want? Oh, god, I just had the worst thought.”

“What’s that?”

“I bet you’re impossible to buy a holiday gift for. You probably have everything you could ever want.”

“I suppose I do always get what I want. After all, I got you.”

She playfully slaps my chest, and her leg curls over my thigh. This. This is what I want.

“Do you want children?”

The shift in her tone isn’t lost on me.

“We’ve never talked about it, and if we’re talking about the future?—”

“Never made it to my wish list. You?”

“Can’t have them, remember?”

“If you want them, there are ways. I’ll give you anything you want.”

She lifts her head and rests her chin on her balled-up hand so she’s looking down at me.

“You mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. I mean, I mucked up royally with Lina, but if you want to give it a go?—”

“You didn’t muck up with Lina.”

“She doesn’t fly straight. Don’t know if she ever will.”

“And you’ll never know. It’s her demon to fight. You can’t hold yourself accountable.”

Easier said than done. But each time this one tells me Lina’s future isn’t my responsibility, I feel a tad lighter.

“I don’t think I want children.”

She’s bouncing around, going from topic to topic.

“I’d like sheep.”

“What?”

Her lips spread into a dreamy smile. “Don’t you think Dog could use some friends? Maybe I’ll be a dog breeder. No. I’ll create a rescue.”

“We’ll fix up the country house. There’s lots of land.”

“Chickens. Kitties.”

I close my eyes and stifle a groan. “You’re going to bring the cats inside, aren’t you?”

“A sanctuary for animals that have had a crap lot in life.” She’s completely disregarded me, but her eyes are sparkling, and that’s everything to me.

I loop a silky strand around my index finger and twist. “If that’s what you want, that’s what we shall do, love.”