EPILOGUE
Kaylan
“Dylan, hey!” I called out, my voice wavering slightly as he passed by after lunch.
He stopped, glancing at me with a neutral expression, one that carried the weight of the distance between us. Ever since I’d returned, we hadn’t really talked. At first, it was my recovery keeping me isolated, then Operation Tantalus consumed all of our time. But that wasn’t the whole story, was it?
I’d been avoiding him, unsure of how to breach the fragile silence that had grown between us. But today, I couldn’t push it off any longer. Things had been relatively stable for some time and Logan was recovering from his surgery. There was something Dylan needed to know, and even if it meant ripping open wounds that hadn’t fully healed, I had to tell him.
“Can we talk?” I asked softly.
His eyes flicked to mine, and I saw something there—a flicker of hesitation, maybe pain. But he nodded, following me to a quieter corner.
“I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.” His voice was cautious, reserved.
I gave him a small smile. “You might not. But I have been wanting to talk to you for a while now.”
His brows furrowed as he nodded contemplatively.
“Riley and I… we used to talk about you,” I began, my hands twisting together as I tried to find the right words. “So I know what you meant to her. And there’s something she said, something you should know.”
He swallowed thickly. Even as I spoke of that day, the memories were relentless. Riley’s screams echoed in my mind, sharp and guttural.
???
“Squad Two, is it? That what you call yourselves?” Garret’s voice slithered into the rank-smelling basement like poison.
We had been there for days, chained to the wall, the stench of filth and despair clinging to us like a second skin. They hadn’t interacted with us much—just left us to rot in the dark. I’d tried to find corners, spots where I could fucking defecate without feeling like an animal, but even that small dignity had been stripped away.
Garret’s boots scraped against the grimy floor as he stepped closer, his voice cutting through the suffocating silence.
“Kyle ‘Dagger’ Deniese,” he drawled, his tone mocking. “Navy SEAL, technology expert, single father to a three-year-old.”
Kyle didn’t flinch, but I could see his jaw tighten. He’d been carrying the blame for what happened in Florida, and I knew that same weight was keeping him silent now.
“Riley ‘Bird’ Hayden,” Garret continued, a cruel smirk spreading across his face as he turned to her. “CIA, profiler, alone in this world except for…”
“Fuck you!” Riley spat.
Garret chuckled darkly, the sound curling around us like smoke. “And finally,” he said, his gaze landing on me, “Kaylan ‘Healer’ Bennett. Combat medic, daughter to her amazing, proud parents.”
His words cut through me like a blade, my whole body vibrating with the force of my fury. I couldn’t take this anymore. We needed to get out. We needed to survive.
Then Kyle, in his desperate need to regain some sense of control, spoke up.
“You don’t wanna mess with Bridgewood, you fucker. Let us go, and we won’t come after you!”
The words hung in the air like a challenge, reckless and raw.
Garret’s laughter shifted, low and sinister. He studied Kyle for a moment, as if considering something, before sighing dramatically. “Oh, son. I didn’t want to make a point so soon.”
The sound of the gunshot was deafening, shattering the fragile quiet of the chamber.
I froze, the metallic tang of blood filling the air as Kyle slumped forward, his body still as stone. A gaping hole marred his forehead, and his lifeless eyes stared blankly into the void.
Riley’s scream tore through the darkness, raw and heart-wrenching. It wasn’t just a sound; it was the kind of agony that ripped through your soul, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake.
And I—God, I didn’t scream. I couldn’t. I just stared, numb and paralyzed, as the horror unfolded before me.
Garret turned slowly, his cold, calculating gaze sweeping over Riley and me. His smile was cruel, predatory, as he cocked his head like he was toying with an idea that amused him.
“I’ve decided to keep only one of you alive,” he drawled. “Since I’m not a faggot, you see.” He waved his gun lazily between us, the barrel pointing back and forth. “Now… which one of you is better at milking my cock?”
The words hung in the air, obscene and suffocating. Neither of us moved. Neither of us breathed.
Riley’s entire body shook, rage rippling through her like a storm barely contained. But she didn’t say a word. Not yet.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My voice hoarse from disuse. “What the fuck do you need from us?”
Garret’s smile widened into something truly grotesque. “Absolutely nothing, darling. How terrifying is that?”
My breathing hitched, coming faster now as I saw the gleam in his eyes—calculating, speculative. He was deciding which of us was worth keeping, and which would be discarded.
That’s when I heard it.
Riley’s chant. Low, trembling but steady enough to pierce the suffocating silence.
“Tell Titan that I will always love him,” she panted, her words rushed but deliberate. “Tell him he’s worthy of a life without me. Tell him the fireflies—”
The gunshot shattered the air, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Her body slumped forward, lifeless, blood pooling beneath her.
“Booooring!” Garret said with exaggerated annoyance, shaking his head. He turned to me, his eyes glinting with twisted amusement. “You can help, darling. Maybe your skills will come in handy.”
I didn’t respond. Couldn’t respond. My entire body felt frozen, my mind reeling as I stared at Riley’s still form, at the vacant eyes of Kyle beside her.
Garret straightened, holstering his gun. With a casual wave of his hand, he turned and walked out of the chamber, leaving me alone.
Alone with the bodies of my squad mates. Alone with their blood on my hands.
And as the door slammed shut behind him, I finally flinched. I wasn’t strong enough to scream. I wasn’t strong enough to move. I just sat there, watching as the pool of Riley’s blood slowly crawled towards my bare feet.
???
I finished speaking, my voice barely above a whisper. Dylan stood a few feet away, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond me.
For a moment, I debated saying anything more. We’d never been close—not like he was with Logan or Zarek. But Riley had been important to both of us, and I owed it to her to share what she wanted him to know.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, my tone tentative. “I know this… this isn’t easy to hear.”
His jaw flexed, but he didn’t look at me. “Thanks for telling me,” he said curtly, his voice clipped and emotionless.
I nodded, unsure how to proceed. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my sleeve as the silence stretched uncomfortably between us. “She… she said something about fireflies,” I added softly. “She told me to tell you, but I’m not sure what it means.”
His shoulders tensed, the slightest flinch betraying the stoic mask he wore. “It doesn’t matter,” he said flatly.
I hesitated, my chest tightening at his response. “It sounded like it did,” I said gently, carefully choosing my words. “To her, at least.”
“It’s in the past, Kaylan,” he muttered. “It doesn’t change anything.”
His dismissal stung, but I didn’t push. I wasn’t here to argue with him or force him to open up. I glanced down, unsure of what to say next. “I just thought you’d want to know,” I murmured. “That she thought of you. She… cared about you, a lot.”
Dylan exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a moment, I thought he might say something, but he only shook his head. “She’s gone,” he said evenly, his tone devoid of emotion. “That’s all there is to it.”
I nodded slowly, the ache in my chest growing heavier. “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said softly, the words feeling woefully inadequate.
His lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned slightly. “Thanks,” he said shortly, as if the word burned his tongue.
I stepped back, giving him space, sensing that he was barely holding himself together. “I’ll let you go,” I said quietly. “But… if you ever want to talk, I’m here. I know we don’t know each other well, but Riley—”
“I appreciate it,” he interrupted, his voice still curt but softer this time. “But I’m fine.”
He didn’t wait for a response. With a nod that felt more like a dismissal, he turned and walked away.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at the empty space where he’d been. “You’re fine,” I whispered to myself.
TWO YEARS LATER
A tremor of panic rippled through me, more intense than I’d ever felt. Sitting there on the bathroom floor, the positive pregnancy test in my hand felt like a bomb rather than a bundle of joy. Logan and I, we’d been carefree about protection. Our chances of conceiving were laughably low, so we thought, why bother with barriers?
But there it was, glaring at me: two undeniable lines. I never really thought I’d need to consider the realities of actually becoming pregnant. The thought had been more of a distant ‘what if’ rather than a solid plan.
Was I even ready for this? Happy? And Logan—what would this mean for him? We had transitioned away from the relentless pace of field ops; he was shaping new recruits, and I was deep into my residency at Blackthorn clinic. Life had found a comfortable rhythm.
And now, this curveball.
Staring at the test, I half-wished one of the lines would just fade away, dissolve into the simplicity of before. But life doesn’t rewind, and those lines weren’t going anywhere. The more I thought about a tiny baby in Logan’s arms, the happier my thoughts became. My pulse calmed and I gathered the courage to get up and face the music.
I couldn’t just wing this. Telling Logan—it needed more than just an offhand comment or a surprise announcement. He’d always harbored a soft spot for kids, something I’d caught glimpses of whenever he was around little Raven. Zarek and Leora’s tiny daughter had a way of bringing out a tender, almost wistful side of him. It made me wonder, sometimes, what kind of father he’d be, especially if we had a girl.
With these swirling thoughts, I decided it was time to plan out exactly how to break the news to my husband.
I quickly got to work on my laptop and booked a session with my friend, Daria, for an ultrasound. Once I was ready, all I had to do was wait for Logan to come back from his training session and break the news.
As soon as Logan came through the door, tired and ready to shed the day’s weight, I was there, wrapping him in a hug, as I always did.
“I need an extra long one,” he whispered against my neck, “the new recruits are stupid as hell.”
I laughed against his ear. “I’m sure you can handle them. You need patience. Now, especially.”
He got out of my grip and looked at me puzzled.
“Now, especially? What have you got planned, Chaos?”
Guiding him to the living room, I handed him a stack of papers I’d laid out on the coffee table, disguised as a new training program. “I thought you might want to review this,” I suggested with a nudge.
He picked up the brief booklet and started perusing through it. “What is this? You created this?”
I simply nodded and waited for him to reach the page where it talked about key milestones .
Slowly, he eyes wandered through the milestones. His new recruit was due to start training in eight months. The recruit’s pre-training cycle included check-ins every trimester .
He looked thoroughly confused until he got to the recruit’s profile. It was a picture of an ultrasound and details around its size and health.
I saw as Logan’s eyes widened at the name of the recruit, Baby Bennett-Carlton .
He carefully put the booklet back on the coffee table and hung his head low. The heels of his palms rubbing softly over his eyes.
He finally turned his red rimmed eyes towards me. “Is this happening? Is this really happening to us?”
I nodded, my vision blurry with tears.
His response was a choked laugh, half disbelief, half joy, as he pulled me into his arms, his heart beating wildly against mine.
Before Logan could wrap me in his arms, his lips claimed mine—a kiss loaded with urgency and longing. His hands were quick, deftly unclasping my bra over my t-shirt, his touch igniting a familiar fire within me.
Suddenly, my shorts were discarded, and I found myself sprawled on the couch, Logan’s hands exploring eagerly. He caged me beneath him, one hand cradling the back of my neck.
“You’re going to be a mom.” His grip tightened, pulling me into a kiss that deepened, intensified by his growing awe. “We’ll be the best fucking parents, Chaos.”
He broke away only long enough to strip off my shirt and fumble with his belt. His voice was rough with desire as he leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. “Baby, I can’t hold back tonight. You need to tell me you’re okay with it.”
My heart raced, excitement coursing through me. “Yes. Take me, husband. However you want,” I breathed out, a smile playing on my lips.
That was all the encouragement he needed. In one fluid motion, he scooped me into his arms, carrying me to the bedroom with determined, fiery steps. His belt loosened but his pants still on.
He laid me down gently, then swiftly removed his tie. I knew what was coming; our nights of alternating control were no strangers to us. I felt safe, empowered, utterly cherished.
He tied my hands above my head with his tie, his eyes raking over me with a mix of adoration and hunger. “Tonight, I’m not just your husband, Chaos,” he murmured as he shed his pants and leaned over me, his lips barely brushing mine. “But also the man who will ruin you tonight.”
He caught my lower lip between his, teasing it gently, drawing a shiver from me. My body responded, pulsing with anticipation, a reaction he immediately explored as his fingers traced delicately yet demandingly along my folds.
“I will be,” he pressed deeper, his fingers bold and knowing, “your everything.”
“Yes, Logan,” I gasped, lost in the sensation.
“How does it feel to be ravaged by the man you once hated?”
“I never hated you,” I managed between breaths.
He nodded, his breath tickling my neck as he nipped at my skin softly. “Well, I hated you, Chaos. Just for a moment. But even then, I craved you, didn’t I?”
“Yes, God, yes,” I moaned, his fingers skilled and relentless.
“And how does it feel to be wholly mine? Mine to kiss.” He lavished attention on my nipple. “Mine to possess.” His fingers found a rhythm that broke down every barrier. “Mine to ruin?”
His dance on my clit roughened and my response was a guttural groan that crescendoed into a fierce climax, wracking my body with waves of release.
As I floated back down from the heights of ecstasy, I felt his fingers withdraw. He watched me, eyes intense, as he brought his fingers to his lips, tasting me, savoring every drop. His eyelids fluttered shut.
Still clad in his shirt, Logan shed his pants in a rush, his movements urgent and raw. He flipped me over effortlessly, lifting my hips until I was on my knees, the soft bed cushioning me. A brief glance over my shoulder caught his intense gaze; his hands, gentle yet commanding, caressed the curves of my buttocks before a sharp slap reverberated through the room. It was quickly followed by the heat of his breath against my skin as he buried his face between my thighs, devouring me with a primal hunger.
His tongue was relentless, lapping at my folds, each stroke rough and demanding, drinking in every drop of arousal. I twitched under the intensity, still tender from my previous climax. He growled low in his throat, a sound of pure animalistic desire as he savored the juices trickling down my thigh, before refocusing on my swollen clit.
“Fuck baby, you taste so good under my control,” he murmured, as he pushed me further into the mattress with one hand.
I moaned out loud as he stiffened his tongue at my entrance, his fingers simultaneously working magic on my clit. Another orgasm rolled through me, fierce and unchecked. My knees buckled, my legs spread wider in involuntary invitation, urging him to claim me further. My climax was ceaseless, sending me spiraling into a dizzying bliss, my body slack with ecstasy.
Before I could regain any semblance of control, I felt the firm press of his length sliding against my folds. With a grunt, he thrust into me, filling me completely. “Logan!” I cried out, the blend of pain and pleasure perfect and overwhelming. He set a punishing pace, each thrust designed to claim, to dominate.
My hands, still bound above my head, strained against the ties, aching to touch him. I met his every move, each thrust deeper and more devastating than the last.
“Yes, baby, take it,” he growled, his voice a rough whisper of dominance. “Take it as I ruin you, my Chaos.”
His hand wrapped around my stomach, pulling me closer against him, while his other hand found my throat, his hold firm but careful. He bit down on my shoulder as he ravaged me from behind, his fingers brutal on my nipples.
Another wave of climax was building, fast and fiery. The imminent orgasm was a storm on the horizon, and I was helpless in its path. “You’ll come for me again, Chaos?” he whispered directly into my ear, his breath hot and heavy.
I nodded, simply because I couldn’t get any words out except for the inhumane sounds escaping me. A jumbled moan and a groan.
My orgasm hit me like a blow. My body surrendered to the wave, crashing over me with an intensity that left me boneless, completely at his mercy.
He continued to thrust hard, chasing his orgasm. My high didn’t end as he continued to push and push and push my limits, until his groans became louder and his rhythm became frenzied.
He dropped me back on the bed before his release found him and he went limp over me, leaving gentle kisses on my shoulder. We were a sweaty, mumbling, panting mess at the end of it.
He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me closer into his embrace. “I feel ruined, Logan Carlton,” I whispered, my voice breathless, my body still trembling from the aftershocks of our passion.
“I’m ruined, too.” He whispered.
I turned to look at him, eyes challenging.
Logan’s breathing slowed as he held me tighter against him, our sweat-mingled bodies still tingling from the intensity we’d just shared. His lips found my ear, and his voice was soft but clear, carrying all the weight of his emotions.
“Chaos,” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin, “if being ruined means being wholly yours, then I welcome the devastation. I love you, Kaylan Bennett-Carlton.”
He sealed his vow with a gentle kiss on my forehead, his arms tightening around me, promising a lifetime of nights just like this one.
“I love you, too, Logan Carlton.” I whispered into the night.