Chapter 28 - The Clean Slate
The drive back to the mansion was quiet, but it was a comfortable, victorious silence.
The nightmare was finally over.
Victoria would be dealt with by the Syndicate, effectively erased from the board entirely.
She could never go to the police without exposing her own massive cartel crimes.
She was permanently gone.
When we walked through the front doors of the mansion, the house was perfectly still.
I checked on the boys.
They were all fast asleep in their beds, completely oblivious to the war that had just been won for them.
I pulled the blanket up over Evan's shoulders, kissing his forehead lightly.
"We're safe," I whispered into the dark room.
When I walked into the master bedroom, Adrian was standing by the window, staring out at the moonlight.
He turned around, walking toward me with a look of absolute reverence in his eyes.
"You went to a federal prison, negotiated with a traitor, and manipulated the high table," Adrian said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I told you," I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I don't lose."
He laughed, a genuine, joyful sound that echoed through the quiet room.
He lifted me off the floor, spinning me around before pressing me gently against the wall.
"You are the most terrifying, beautiful thing that has ever happened to me," Adrian murmured against my lips.
"You saved my empire, Nia."
"I didn't care about the empire," I replied, tracing his jawline.
"I cared about our family."
He kissed me then, pouring all his gratitude, love, and passion into a single, breathtaking moment.
There were no more ghosts hiding in the shadows.
There were no more rival families threatening our peace.
May you like
Adrian had secured his territory, and I had secured our home.
We had earned our happy ending in blood and loyalty.
