EPILOGUE
SADIE
Istand at the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blackwood Cybersecurity headquarters, twenty floors above downtown Ravenwood Hollow.
The city stretches before me, a network of connections and systems not unlike the digital landscapes I navigate daily.
My reflection stares back—sleek black blazer, confidence I didn’t possess a year ago.
One year since the Hunt. One year since my life transformed into something I never could have imagined.
“Admiring the view, Ms. Reynolds?”
I turn to find Landon leaning against the doorframe of my office, arms crossed, watching me with that intensity that still makes my pulse quicken.
“Just thinking about time,” I reply, turning back to the window. “It’s been exactly a year today.”
Landon crosses the room, his footsteps silent on the polished concrete floors. His arms encircle my waist as he presses against my back. “A year since you became mine.”
I catch his gaze in our reflection. “A year since you claimed me.”
“And now look at us.” His lips brush my ear. “Partners in every sense.”
My office reflects my dual nature—sleek, minimalist furniture contrasting with my collection of robot figurines arranged on floating shelves. A space that’s both professional and personal, much like my relationship with Landon.
“The Hunt is tonight,” Landon murmurs against my neck. “This year will be different.”
I turn in his arms, facing him directly. “Different how?”
Landon’s fingers trace the faint scar below my collarbone—his initials, a permanent reminder of our beginning. “There are no prey invites this year. All four Blackwood brothers are coming with their prey from last year.”
“Re-enacting the Hunt?” My breath catches.
“In a sense.” His eyes darken. “Some of Tyson’s carnival crew are participating with their girls, too. Colt, Nash, and a few others. And all the hunters and their prey from last year are invited.”
I process this information, considering what it means. “So Mira will be there with Xavier? And Bianca with Knox?”
Landon nods. “But first, little butterfly, we have a private celebration scheduled.” His tone shifts, becoming more intimate. “Our car is waiting downstairs.”
An hour later, we step out of the elevator into an exclusive penthouse event space.
Xavier stands with Mira by his side, her hand tucked into his arm. Knox is deep in conversation with Bianca. Vane leans against the bar, Lia perched beside him on a stool, her head thrown back in laughter.
“What is this?” I whisper to Landon.
“An anniversary,” he says. “One year since the Hunt that brought us together.”
As we move further into the room, I notice the subtle dark undertones—masks displayed on black velvet pedestals. The familiar white half-mask with skull detailing sits prominently in the center—Landon’s.
Xavier approaches, raising a crystal glass. “Before we begin tonight’s Hunt at midnight, we acknowledge what brought us here. One year ago, we claimed what we wanted most.”
This isn’t a typical anniversary celebration with champagne and cake. It’s darkly ceremonial, acknowledging the twisted path that led us to each other.
I study the other couples as we mingle. Each Blackwood brother with his prey turned partner, each relationship as unique as the men themselves.
Xavier stands with Mira near the bar, his hand possessively at the small of her back.
Their relationship remains intense—his eyes never leave her for long—but something has shifted.
When she speaks, he listens with genuine attention.
I recall how terrified she seemed during last year’s Hunt, and now she challenges him openly.
“You can’t seriously expect me to wear that tonight,” she says, gesturing to what must be her Hunt outfit for the re-enactment.
Xavier’s expression remains impassive, but his voice carries a note of compromise. “It’s symbolic, Mira. The Hunt begins anew, but this time—”
“This time I know exactly what I’m getting into,” she finishes, taking the outfit. Their eyes lock in a silent communication that feels almost too intimate to witness.
Across the room, Vane has Lia pressed against the wall, his body caging hers as he whispers something that makes her simultaneously roll her eyes and shiver. Their dynamic crackles with electricity.
“They’ve been like that all year,” Landon murmurs in my ear. “Apparently, they destroyed three apartments during their... disagreements.”
Lia suddenly shoves Vane back, stalking away, only for him to grab her wrist and pull her against him. Rather than resist, she melts into him, their mouths meeting in what can only be described as a battle.
The sweetest couple is Knox and Bianca. He sits on a leather couch with her curled against him, his fingers absently stroking her hair while they laugh together. Unlike his brothers’ possessive displays, Knox’s affection seems almost... normal. Almost.
“You should have seen them last month,” Landon says, following my gaze. “Knox nearly gutted a man who looked at her too long at the gallery opening.”
“He was being protective,” Bianca defends, overhearing. “Though I told him I can handle myself.”
“With a paintbrush, maybe,” Knox teases, kissing her temple.
“Better than your solution to everything—set it on fire,” she retorts, but she’s smiling.
I follow Landon to a seating area where plush black couches form a semicircle around a low glass table. A server in a black mask appears with a tray of drinks, and Landon selects two crystal tumblers of amber liquid.
“To surviving a year with us,” Knox raises his glass, giving Bianca a wink that makes her blush.
“Some of us did more than survive,” Lia challenges, accepting her drink from Vane. “Some of us thrived.”
Xavier settles into the largest couch, pulling Mira down beside him. “Careful, Lia. That almost sounds like gratitude.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Mira retorts.
Landon’s arm slides around my waist as we take our seats. “Sadie hacked my personal server within the first month.”
“Someone had to check if you had other women locked in your basement,” I say, earning surprised laughter from Bianca.
Knox nearly chokes on his drink. “Landon with multiple women? He can barely handle one.”
“Says the man who calls his girlfriend every hour when she’s at her studio,” Bianca teases, nudging him with her shoulder.
“It’s a dangerous neighborhood,” Knox defends, not looking remotely embarrassed.
Vane snorts. “It’s the best part of town.”
“Anywhere she is without me is dangerous,” Knox says matter-of-factly.
“That’s sweet,” Lia observes, “in a completely psychotic way.”
“You’re one to talk,” Mira interjects. “Didn’t you stab Vane last month?”
Lia shrugs. “He deserved it.”
“I did,” Vane confirms, looking proud as he pulls Lia closer. “Worth every stitch.”
Xavier shakes his head, though I catch the barest hint of amusement. “And people wonder why I worry about family gatherings.”
“As if you’re any better,” Mira counters. “Your idea of couples therapy was taking me to your shooting range.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” Xavier’s thumb traces circles on her wrist.
Landon’s fingers find mine under the table, a private connection amid the chaos of his family. I squeeze back, still amazed at how comfortable this all feels now.
The conversation continues around us, but Landon’s fingers tighten around mine. He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “Come with me. I have something for you.”
I follow him away from the group, curious as he leads me toward a secluded alcove tucked behind a curved wall of smoked glass. The space is intimate—a small seating area isolated from the main gathering, the city lights twinkling below us through floor-to-ceiling windows.
“What’s this about?” I ask as he guides me to sit on a low velvet couch.
Landon reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small black box. His usual confidence seems slightly tempered with a rare flicker of vulnerability.
“It’s been a year,” he says, his voice low. “A year since everything changed.”
He places the box in my palm. It’s heavier than I expected.
When I open it, I find a sleek metallic object nestled against black velvet.
At first glance, it resembles a stylish USB key.
Still, I immediately recognize it’s far more sophisticated—matte black titanium with a subtle geometric pattern etched into its surface.
The device is attached to a delicate platinum chain, and small diamonds are embedded along one edge, catching the light with every slight movement.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, lifting it from the box. “But what exactly is it?”
Landon takes it from my fingers, unclasping the chain. “It’s a master security key. Custom-designed, quantum-encrypted.” His eyes hold mine as he moves behind me to fasten it around my neck. “It grants you access to everything I own—all properties, accounts, systems.”
The key rests cool against my skin as I process his words.
“Total access,” he tells me, his fingers tracing the chain at the nape of my neck. “No more locked doors between us.”
I turn to face him, fully grasping the weight of this gesture. For Landon—a man who built walls and systems to keep every detail in check—this is the ultimate surrender.
“You’re giving me the keys to your kingdom,” I say softly, my fingers brushing the device.
“I’m giving you me,” he replies. “All of me.”
Landon’s lips find mine, and the world around us blurs.
“I’ve been thinking about returning to the Hunt all day,” he murmurs against my lips. “Remembering how you looked that first time in the sensory chamber.”
A shiver runs through me at the memory. My body responds instantly, a year of conditioning making me arch into his touch.
“So responsive,” he says, his fingers tracing patterns on my inner thigh. “Always so ready for me.”
I gasp as his touch becomes more deliberate. “Landon, we’re at a party.”