Epilogue
Airfield outside of Virginia
Andrew Smith strode to the limousine waiting for him. He climbed inside and faced his superior. The elderly man had a kind face that belied the evil inside him.
His eyes had faded to a dull shade of gray, and wrinkles covered his narrow face. His gray hair was thinning and parted on the side impeccably. He was tall, but age had made his frame look frail in a way that even the expensive suit couldn’t hide.
“You failed.”
Andrew looked into his eyes as the car drove off. “It’s merely a battle, and though it might look like I failed, I didn’t.”
“How so?” he asked curiously.
“I hit Orrin. It was a mortal wound. There’s no way they could get him to a hospital in time to save him. It’ll be a blow to the sons.”
He raised a bushy eyebrow. “It could rally them.”
Andrew shook his head. “Then we don’t waste any time sending in another strike.”
“I want proof Orrin is dead first. And you still need to find Ragnarok, or, barring that, the formula.”
“I’ll bring it to you personally.”
The man snorted and looked away. “Let’s hope so because the only thing between you and death is me. The rest of the council wants your head.”
Andrew fisted his hand at his side. Damn Orrin Loughman for again ruining things, but it was the last time.
Wyatt ignored the knowing smiles from his brothers and Maks when he and Callie arrived at the base the next day. It was news that Orrin had woken that brought them all together again.
He walked with Callie into the med room to find Kate and Yuri with Orrin. His father was sitting up but still looked pale. It was a testament to Kate’s skill as an ER doctor that she had saved his father’s life.
“They are all here,” Yuri told Orrin.
Wyatt looked around at Owen and Natalie and Cullen and Mia to find that Sergei and Lev had remained and were standing with Maks.
Orrin cleared his throat and said, “We all learned just how powerful the Saints are, and my family has discovered that we have friends willing to stand with us. Thank you, Sergei, Lev, Maks, Yuri, and Kate. We couldn’t have done this without you.”
“It is just the beginning,” Sergei said.
Lev crossed his arms over his chest. “A war we shouldn’t get involved in.”
“But we are,” Sergei said. “Someone has to make a stand. Everyone will eventually have to choose sides. I’ve chosen mine.”
Wyatt bowed his head to the older Russian. “And we appreciate it. Lev, thanks for helping the doc out with our injuries.”
“Friends,” Orrin said. “I think we’ve all learned we have few of those now that we’ve stood against the Saints. The only way we’re going to win is if we continue to stand together.”
Owen frowned. “You mean keep fighting together?”
“Whitehorse is still functional. I just need men.”
Cullen draped an arm around Mia and smiled as he said, “I guess now is a good time to let you know that I’ve resigned my commission.”
“Me, too,” Owen said. “There was really no other choice.”
Natalie kissed Owen. “I’m a quick learner, so just point me in a direction.”
“And if I can get my plane here, we’ll have wings,” Mia said.
Maks ran a hand over his chin. “I was getting tired of the CIA anyway. Count me in.”
“You know where I stand,” Yuri said.
Kate linked her fingers with Orrin’s. “There needs to be a doctor around.”
Suddenly, every eye was on him. Wyatt looked down at Callie, who smiled up at him. She gave him a nod. He looked back at his father, staring into eyes that mirrored his own.
“I’m no longer part of Delta Force,” Wyatt said. “I couldn’t walk away from Callie or this war.”
There was a loud cheer. While everyone celebrated, Wyatt made his way to his father. Yuri and Kate walked away so Wyatt and Orrin could be alone.
Wyatt took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“No,” Orrin said. “I’m sorry. But let’s leave the past in the past and forge ahead in a new direction.”
Wyatt considered it and smiled. “I like that idea.”
“I never thought I’d see the day I’d be working with my sons. I just hate the reason.”
Cullen came toward them. “We have little time to rest.”
“They’ll attack soon,” Maks said.
Owen nodded in agreement. “Unless we strike first.”
Yuri crossed his arms over his chest. “We’re going to need more men.”
“I know someone,” Lev said.
Wyatt looked at him, brow raised. “Is he good?”
“He’s exactly the type of man you want on your side.”
“Call him,” Wyatt said.
There was a moment of silence as it all sank in. Every day from here on out was a gift, and Wyatt would make the most of each and every one.
“To Whitehorse,” Orrin said.
“To Whitehorse,” everyone replied in unison.
Owen then added, “To finding Andrew Smith.”
“To taking down the Saints,” Cullen said.
Wyatt wrapped an arm around Callie as he looked down at her. “To family.”
“To family,” rang out around him.
Thank you for reading THE LEGEND. I hope you enjoyed the story!