77. Addy
Chapter seventy-seven
Addy
Epilogue #1
I t's strange how someone who was once a stranger has become my sanctuary. Three someones. Well, five. Gen and Mason became family just as much as the boys.
Not so long ago, mornings were a thing of dread, a countdown to another day of walking on eggshells. But now, safety isn't just a fleeting dream—it's my reality.
I can hardly believe this peace is mine—that I've found safety, security, and true happiness without waiting for my eighteenth birthday. That nightmare, which once bound me with invisible chains, feels like a distant memory now.
A chill runs down my spine, not from the cool air of the room but from the ghost of memories I'd rather leave behind. My fingers brush against the pendant around my neck, a habit when my thoughts turn dark. It had been a gift from the boys—my boys—to celebrate how far I’d come. A snowflake, of course.
It's surreal how much has changed since I handed over the evidence to Mason. The legal gears turned with astonishing speed once the truth came out.
William had no choice but to plead guilty on all charges. The list was as long as the trials were public—corruption, abuse, you name it. His fall from grace became a media circus. Mason did his damndest to make sure the reporters couldn’t hound me like I was the next big scandal.
Cheryl... Cheryl managed to escape. She's out there somewhere, likely plotting her next move, but the fear she once inspired has dissipated. Without the political and financial backing of the Winthrop name, there’s nothing she can do to get to me. Mason's promise to keep me protected wasn't empty; he's been my steadfast shield against the chaos. And for the first time in forever, I feel untouchable.
I had been right about Primal Meats.
It was worse, so much worse than anyone suspected—a high-end sex trafficking ring hidden beneath a veneer of legitimacy.
We fought hard to bring it all to light, but the evidence... the evidence was slippery, like trying to hold onto smoke. But Mason wasn’t giving up. He vowed to keep digging, to keep fighting until Primal Meats was nothing but a nightmare of the past.
I hug myself, feeling the weight of what could have been. The deal they struck behind closed doors, trading me like I was just another item on their inventory list—I was sold through Primal Meats. The thought is almost too grotesque to bear. If not for the boys, their impeccable timing and their refusal to let me face my demons alone, I would've been lost to that world forever.
But, Mason didn’t stop there. No, Mason—he was relentless, a storm that raged against the injustice of what had been done to me. With his help, we took the Winthrop estate to court.
The gavel fell like a declaration of independence, my heart swelling with a victory that wasn't just about money. It was validation, acknowledgment of the pain they caused. Winning that suit, it meant something profound: freedom. Not just from them, but from the chains of financial need too. No more looking over my shoulder, wondering if I could afford to flee if the shadows ever crept too close again. That security—it's a gift I can hardly comprehend.
"Are you done yet?" Saint's voice rumbles behind me, pulling me out of the reverie. His presence is a warm blanket draped over my shoulders.
I giggle, surprised, as I feel his hands encircle my waist. "Almost," I admit, leaning back into his chest, feeling his heartbeat against my spine. It's steady, strong—just like him.
"Good," he murmurs, his breath tickling the shell of my ear. "Because I can't wait another minute to get you all to myself."
“I’m afraid you’re still going to have to share, husband.”
I slide the last of my belongings into the suitcase, the zipper catching slightly on a stubborn fabric edge. My hands work deftly to free it, before closing it all the way and pulling the suitcase to the floor at my feet.
"I’m fine with that," he counters with a smirk, his dark curls tumbling into his eyes. It’s that untamed look that always makes my heart skip a beat.
"Good." I stand on tiptoes, pressing a quick kiss to his lips, which only promises of more to come. He tastes like anticipation and mint, a flavor I'd recognize anywhere.
I hear the door burst open. Before I can even turn around, Chess grabs hold of me and jumps on the bed. Dre follows him in, closing the door with a grin.
"Are you guys ready?" Dre asks, hopping onto the bed next to us.
“She just zippered that monstrosity shut,” Saint gestures to my overstuffed suitcase.
“Hey! I packed all the essentials.”
“I don’t see why you packed anything at all,” Chess teases, nipping at my jaw. “We’re just going to keep you naked the whole time.”
"We need to leave now if we're going to make our flight."
"Right." I jump off the bed, grabbing my bag. "Let's go."
As we head out of the room, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the love and support surrounding me. These boys, who have become my family, have been there for me through everything. And as we make our way to the airport, I can't help but think about how lucky I am. How much I love them all. How grateful I am that they decided to start digging into my secrets.
“You okay, Princess?”
Saint asks, his hand on my back.
"I'm more than okay," I say, turning to look at him. "I'm happy. Happier than I've ever been."
"Good," he says, kissing me quickly before we head inside.
As we board the plane, I take one last look at the world behind me. It's filled with pain and heartache, but it's also filled with hope and love. And as we take off into the sky, I know that I'm leaving behind the darkness and stepping into the light. With these boys by my side, anything is possible.