Epilogue

Iwant to be home with Nikita, but duty calls.

Grigoriy wasn't working with his father. He had his own agenda.

After we fucked twice, Nikita finally let me get dressed. Then she dropped the bomb.

Grigoriy liked to talk.

I know she still feels guilt for killing him. He was sixteen years old.

Still, he was a demented motherfucker. If she hadn't killed him, he would have gone on a reign of terror in the city. Who knows how many people would have gotten hurt?

Not to mention we now have the information we need to catch these trafficking fuckers.

"Where is Tristano?" Greer asks as the others begin to log on.

"At the new place with Nikita and Serena. He offered to stay back and help her decorate."

Greer groans. "You're letting him decorate your house?"

"With Nikita, yes. It makes her happy." I shrug.

Callum snickers next to me, whispering what sounds like "whipped" under his breath.

I don't even deny it. Something about almost losing my girl, not only to her brother but to her own mind, scared me straight. I would give that woman the last breath in my body if I could.

That's why I've got a little surprise planned for her. On the way home, I get to pick it up for her.

As I watch Nikolai sign on, I wipe the amusement from my face. Time for business.

"Thank you for jumping on with such short notice," Nikolai says.

"Of course. You said it was urgent." Greer speaks up.

"I have a message for our Chicago counterparts." He waves his hand to Alexei, who rolls his eyes but leans forward and presses a button.

The video pops up in the middle of their screen.

"This message is for the syndicates. We know you are trying to shut us down, but we will never give up. As for Haruaki, I know you killed my son. He might have had issues, but he was still mine. My heir. I let you have that whore of a daughter of mine. You should have stopped there. For that, I will paint your streets red. Then I will take away someone important to you. I'll be seeing you. Oh, and tell my daughter congratulations on the nuptials. She will look devastating in black."

Vladimir's face freezes on the screen as we process what he said.

"How did you get this?" I ask.

"He had someone bring it right up to the gate. It's obvious he's still here, or was. The club in the background is the same one Jan uses," Nikolai admits. "We should have burned it down when his brother stole my sister and wife."

"I can still make that happen," Dimitri murmurs from his side.

"I'll admit, the man has balls to just walk up like that," Bastiano muses.

"What about Maxim?" Greer asks.

"He's been silent, but we expected that when we gave him the last transmission. We have to be more careful now. Especially when we know that there are three groups involved," Nikolai admits.

"I checked with Rocky. Ten girls were taken from the surrounding areas. They don't know for sure it's them, but it can't be a coincidence," I inform everyone.

"Is he keeping an eye out?" Killian is the one to speak this time.

"He's handing out the tech Haruaki provided. We are doing the best we can. It still doesn't feel like enough, though," Callum mutters.

"I hope he shows his face here. I'm going to enjoy ending his life," Haruaki adds as he cleans his glasses.

"We need to keep our eyes out. I already have my programs written to notify me if he shows. I've added the new players to it too. If they show up here, we will know," I tell Haruaki. "I have Kenji and Kado, along with you, added to be notified. Actually, I'll go ahead and add everyone on this call. I know you guys can't do much from other states, but the more information you have, the better."

"That was a good idea. I'll keep my ear to the ground here. I feel like we are almost there. This will be the hardest part. Let's keep pushing." Nikolai nods before signing off.

"It's time to batten down the hatches. The storm is upon us. Keep your loved ones close and your heads on swivels," Killian says.

"Tell Tristano to take as long as he needs. He doesn't need to rush back," Greer tells me.

"I will. I think it's good for Nikita to have him here."

She smiles. "Good. Talk to you later."

Then she, Killian, and Bastiano are gone, leaving us with Haruaki and Kenji.

"He's going to show back up. I think we need to consider using the tracking chips Kenji developed," Haruaki tells us.

"As much as I hate it, I plan to ask Nikita tonight. I won't do it without her permission. Especially after her father did it without her knowledge."

"Same," Callum adds.

"Cleo and Miya already have them. Let us know if you need us to bring you some," Kenji says.

"I'm sorry," I tell Haruaki.

He tilts his head and studies me. "For?"

"He thinks you ended Grigoriy's life when it was really Nikita."

"I'd much rather take the blame for his death than for his sights to be set on her. Besides, if she hadn't done it herself, I would have," he says before he ends the call.

"Shit is about to get crazy around here." Callum stands, moving around his desk.

I follow behind him.

"I know. It's going to get worse before it gets better."

We come to a stop at the window he loves to look out. I smile when I see Autumn with Emily running around outside. Connor isn't far from them.

"That's what I'm afraid of. Go ahead and head out. Get your present for her. Spend this time with her and cherish it."

I hear his unspoken words.

Before we go to war.

"Tristano, he will fucking hate that."I'm laughing my ass off.

Tristano is trying to get me to buy a huge painting of a raccoon in a dress shirt with a tie to put on our living room wall. It is adorable, but I know my husband. He will think it is hideous.

"He loves you, Nikita, honey. If you say you want it, he will help me fucking hang it."

I shake my head. "No. Next."

As he shows me the next item, the song changes, making Tristano jump.

"A scrub is a guy who thinks he is a dime and is also known as a custard!"

I shake my head, dying now. Tears are running down my face from how hard I'm laughing. My stomach hurts. I can't breathe.

Serena is no better. She's cackling next to me, bent over so we can lean on one another.

Tris is one hell of a character, that's for sure.

The door opens a second later, Tris not even stopping his annoying singing.

He knows who it is. Just like I do.

The morning after my brother's death, Declan and I hid in Callum and Autumn's guest room and talked. We both knew that we didn't want to stay at either of our apartments. Too much had happened in both places and were filled with bad memories. He couldn't get over the fact that I was thrown out of his window, and I couldn't imagine sleeping in a room I was once shot at in. We wanted a fresh start and a place that was just for us. Later that afternoon, Haruaki showed up and told us about a building he had built that was up for sale and how it was one of the best in the city.

Declan didn't even hesitate about buying.

I saw him wince though when we talked about it.

He finally admitted to growing up poor. Money is a bit of a sore subject for him. He doesn't like spending it.

It made me feel bad about spending it until he showed me how much he has saved. Let's just say he could buy this building at least ten more times and still have money left over.

That eased my guilt a little bit about the money we are spending. Besides, he wants a home just like me.

Then Tristano and Serena showed up and took charge after hugging the shit out of us. Tristano clucked his tongue and muttered something about needing to get me a hairbrush before setting his sights on Declan. To say he was ready to kill someone over his best friend's two black eyes would be an understatement. While Tristano was busy fussing, Serena pulled me aside and told me that if I ever wanted to talk, she would be more than happy to listen. She understands what it's like to be betrayed by those who are supposed to love you.

My heart hurts for her, but at the same time, I'm glad I'm not alone.

Despite the reasons for their visit, I've loved having them here. It's nice getting to know them, and I can't help but be a little bit sad that they live so far away.

"My bestie. You're finally home. We missed you." Tris tries to ambush him, but he dodges him, coming straight for me.

"Can you get that for me?" Declan nods to a box for Tristano before leaning in to kiss me.

"Hey wifey," he murmurs as his thumb rubs against my ring.

The ring he offered to replace, but I refused. I haven't taken it off since he placed it back on my finger.

"Hi." I smile against his lips.

"Sure, reject me then ask me for a favor." Tris pouts.

Declan pulls away, rolling his eyes, and walks back over to him, pulling Tris into a hug before kissing his cheek. "You know the wife gets first dibs on love."

"You've gotten more fun since you married her. I like it." Tris smacks Declan's butt with one hand, holding the box with the other, jostling it.

Then I hear it.

A very faint bark.

"Declan, what is that?" My heart is in my throat.

Two nights ago, I admitted I missed my dog and would like another one some day. I meant in the future, but I should have known better. Mention it to Declan, and it's as good as having it in your hand.

He takes the box, bringing it over to me. Then he opens the flaps, showing me the adorable puppy inside.

"They aren't for sure what all he is. He was found on the streets and brought into the shelter," he tells me.

My eyes fill with tears as I pick up the puppy, holding it to me. "I love him. What's his name?"

"I thought we could pick that out together."

I look at him, smiling. "Snookums?"

"No. Pumpkin?"

I wrinkle my nose.

He chuckles.

"What about Ares?"

Declan considers it a moment before nodding.

"Ares was the god of war. I like it, it's a solid name."

"The best because I picked it."

He shakes his head, leaning in to kiss the dog on the head before kissing my nose.

My breath catches.

"Well, I think it's about time we go to our room," Tris says, not being obvious at all.

"Yeah, we are so tired," Serena jokes.

"Want to babysit?" I ask before they can slink out of the room.

Tris laughs. "Sure."

"Why?" Declan asks, frowning.

Leaning in, I whisper in his ear, "I got the new bed today. I think I need to show my husband how good he's been."

In the next instant, the puppy is on the floor and I'm in my husband's arms as he carries me to bed.

"I guess we'll find out how soundproof these walls are," Tristano teases as we pass by, making me laugh.

I smile to myself as I realize I'm happy. Truly fucking happy.

I love everything about this life that I'm building with Declan, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

The End.