Epilogue
RAV
The boardroom at Reynolds Halifax HQ buzzed with the familiar energy of a mission debrief.
I sat at the conference table, my back to the wall out of habit, watching the team process what we’d been through three days ago.
Ashley’s sling didn’t slow her down as she and Brie huddled over their laptops, picking apart the Fenix data they’d extracted from the Meridian server.
Another operation closed. Another set of problems to solve.
Will and Brie weren’t acting much differently than usual—they’d always shared a brain—but now they kept stealing glances at each other, thinking no one noticed. Small looks that lasted for a heartbeat too long.
Good for them. Although she had a lot of processing ahead of her after what Lark put her through, and maybe some therapy if she took my advice. Hopefully, she’d be more open to it than Emmett had been after his ordeal in Venice.
Jayce picked at the corner of a cannoli from the Russo’s pastry box Evelyn had brought—she always brought their pastries for big meetings—while Drew read something on his tablet.
“We know they’re consolidating their team in Naples.” Evelyn stood at the large monitor on the wall, pointing to a map we’d found in Fenix’s files. “And they plan to assemble the phoenix soon.”
Brie’s data upload was far from intact. Lark had blown the Orchid server and destroyed the Meridian server before Brie’s upload could finish. We had too much incomplete intel.
I glanced at the tablet in front of me, studying the map of Naples, which featured a large circle encompassing the entire city, including Capri and the volcano. If we were going in, there would be too much ground to cover without better intelligence.
Brie adjusted her glasses, the focus I’d seen a thousand times settling over her features. “There’s so much damage to the files, we’ll be working on it for weeks to sort everything out. But we’ll feed you all what we can, as it becomes available.”
Drew shifted in his seat, his leg finding Jayce’s under the table, a gesture so subtle most people would miss it. Scarlett and Malcolm exchanged one of their wordless communications across the room. These people had found something I’d given up looking for years ago. It was beautiful to see.
Memories surfaced before I could stop them—Brooke in tactical gear at Mnemis, radiating the same confidence I remembered from Afghanistan.
But more than that. Brooke laughing at something ridiculous I’d said during a briefing, the sound like music cutting through the tension in the room.
Brooke falling asleep in the back seat of a transport after a long day, trusting me to keep watch.
Her eyes lighting up when she explained a tool she’d designed herself to check for traces of weaponized chemicals.
That spark was gone when I’d seen her at Mnemis, replaced by something harder, more guarded. She’d probably met someone who had made her forget all about a broken soldier who’d been too distracted to protect her.
“The Carabinieri aren’t taking the threat seriously,” Evelyn said, pulling me back to the present.
“I can’t blame them, given how vague the information is.
Massimo de Rosa’s arrest should have put a significant dent in their funding.
However, based on what Brie and Ashley have uncovered thus far, I suspect there’s more money behind Fenix than we initially thought. ”
“Or that’s why they’re moving now,” Drew suggested. “Before their resources dry up completely.”
I straightened, pushing personal ghosts aside. This was the job. “Naples gives them options. Sea routes, air transport, major highways. Urban density for cover.”
“Or it’s more symbolism,” said Drew. “Egyptian feather, Roman talon, Persian beak, Chinese halo—and now Greek Fire.”
“The phoenix will rise,” I said. “In the city that rose out of Pompeii’s ashes?”
Heads nodded around the table. Naples almost felt obvious after that.
“We figured out in Monaco that they’re collecting ancient golden artifacts that make up a larger statue,” Scarlett said, leaning back in her chair. “But how does a biochemical formula fit in with that?”
“It’s Greek?” said Jayce with a shrug.
“Not only that,” Brie continued, “but Noah told both Scarlett and Jayce the phoenix would put an end to all disease and heal people. If Greek Fire is a weapon, how does that heal anyone?”
The memory of a scream passed through my brain. I’d never known if it was mine or Brooke’s. The searing pain as the bullets ripped through my shoulder. Waking up in a military hospital in Germany. The years of healing that followed.
Then it rewound to Brooke’s laugh echoing across the compound. The way she’d look at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention. How she’d curl against me during the few quiet moments we stole between missions, her brilliant mind finally at rest.
She’d moved on. She had to have moved on. Six years was long enough to build a life with someone who wouldn’t disappear when things got difficult.
Through the glass walls of the boardroom, movement caught my eye. Two figures approached the front entrance. A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, a fall jacket zipped against the October chill, and a scarf wrapped around her neck. In front of her, a man I recognized even in profile.
Percival.
Which meant—
The woman turned as he reached for the door handle, and six years of carefully constructed walls collapsed in an instant. Dr. Brooklyn MacAllister. Here. Walking into our building like she belonged, like she had every right to shatter the balance I’d spent so long building.
Time seemed to slow as I watched her move with the same confident stride I remembered. She was even more beautiful than she’d been all those years ago.
Evelyn’s gaze followed mine through the glass wall. “Perfect timing. And not to disappoint anyone, but I’ve decided Naples is too dangerous. We specialize in stealth and leverage, not the level of violence Fenix is rising to. We’ll provide intel and support to this team from Pendragon—”
Evelyn’s voice faded into the background.
Control your breathing.
Inside, every alarm system I’d ever developed was screaming warnings I couldn’t ignore. I’d joined Reynolds Recoveries to forget my old life. But here was that old life, walking into my meeting room.
Stay calm. You can do this.
Brie shifted beside me, following my gaze to the front door. She leaned closer, whispering so no one else would hear. “If that’s not a hint from the universe, I don’t know what is.”
THE END OF BOOK 5