Epilogue #2
I’m not sure what he has about islands. But hey, if Nico really wants an island, who am I to say no?
The next hour or so is a flurry of activity.
Nico makes the rounds to speak with each employee, thanking them for their hard work and loyalty.
He gives each one a small envelope as well, which I know contains a prepaid credit card for ten thousand dollars.
Nico liked that idea better than messing with cash, and he liked that they wouldn’t know how much he gave them until later.
By the time we talk to everyone, I can tell Nico’s feeling a little down. Everyone else has their family there, but Nico doesn’t have anyone.
Well, he has me. And he has Knight, Jester, Houdini, and Wraith.
But his father obviously isn’t here, since he’s currently in prison serving a thirty-year sentence.
According to Luca Caruso, who stopped by Nico’s office to discuss the matter last month, it would be better for the Cosa Nostra if Elio didn’t testify in court.
So they encouraged him to accept a plea bargain.
I’m glad. It means he’s out of our life and Nico didn’t have to testify against him.
Nico’s mother is different, though. Nothing was found connecting her to any of Elio’s crimes. But Nico still doesn’t trust her. He claims that although she might not have known everything his father was doing, she had to know that something was off with his business.
So he hasn’t talked to her, aside from a few text messages. I’m not going to push him to do more, but honestly, I hope they can have some kind of relationship, even if it isn’t a close one.
When we get a minute alone, I pull Nico into a quiet corner. Then I frame his face with my hands and pull his head down for a kiss. Then I hold his gaze and say, “I love you, Nico Parisi. With all my heart. And you are the best man I know.”
Nico stares at me for a second. He swallows hard. “I love you, too. And I will always try to be the best man for you.”
God, I love him.
From across the room, a glass rings. Then Jester stands and calls out, “Hey, Rogue. You ready for the big announcement?”
Nico casts a glance in Jester’s direction. Wryly, he replies, “Well, I guess I am now.”
“Everyone sit,” Jester urges with a wide grin. He gestures for everyone to come back to the tables. “The boss has an important announcement.”
As we pass Jester’s table, Nico swats the back of his head. Jester smirks. “I knew you’d drag it out until later. This way, we can get on with the celebration.” Jester’s gaze moves to me, and he lifts his chin. “Good luck, Sofia.”
My stomach erupts into nervous flutters again. “Thanks.”
Nico holds my hand while we walk to the front of the room, where a microphone is already set up. He glances at me and says, “You’re going to be great, Soph. I’m not the only one who believes in you. We all do.”
Once we’re at the microphone, Nico flicks it on and flashes everyone a warm smile.
“Thank you for coming,” he says. “And thank you so much for being a part of Fox & Falcon Securities. When I first started the company, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Would it be a success? A flop? Could I find people I trusted to work here? ”
He scans the room. His gaze lingers on Knight, Wraith, Jester, and Houdini.
“Five years on, we’re not just still here, but we’re thriving.
I won’t pretend it was always easy. We’ve had some struggles.
I’ve had some struggles, as you all know.
But through it all, you’ve had my six. And I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. ”
Around the room, people raise their glasses.
“I’m not going to drag this out,” Nico continues, “because I know no one likes long speeches. But I do have one other special announcement to share.”
He pauses. Everyone leans forward in their seats.
“You all know Sofia, of course.” Nico glances at me with pride in his eyes.
“She’s one of the hardest working and smartest people I know.
Not just that, she’s stubborn in the best way.
She doesn’t back down when things get hard.
She fights for people when they need help.
And she understands how it feels when the world seems like it’s working against you. ”
A lump swells in my throat.
No, I command myself firmly. Do not cry. Not now.
“So, with that being said,” Nico adds. “It brings me to my announcement. Or should I say, our announcement?” He takes the microphone off the stand before adding, “I am so pleased to announce the launch of a new division of the company.”
Then he hands the microphone to me. “Go ahead,” he says more quietly. “It was your idea. So tell them about it.”
I take a steadying breath before I begin. Out in the audience, Knight flashes me an encouraging smile. Jester gives me a thumbs up. Wraith and Houdini both give me approving nods.
“Okay,” I start. “Like Nico said, we want to create a new division of the company. It’ll be dedicated to helping people who could use our services, but can’t afford it.
People who are in trouble but don’t know where else to turn.
Maybe they’re being blackmailed by deepfake videos.
Maybe they’re being stalked by an ex, but there’s not enough evidence to prove it.
” I take another steadying breath. “Or maybe they’ve been accused of stealing, but they didn’t do it. ”
Nico puts his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezes.
“We won’t charge anyone,” I explain. “All the costs will be covered by private donations. It won’t impact any of the other divisions, or anyone’s jobs. It’ll just be extra.”
“A way to give back,” Nico adds. “And I will personally ensure that the expenses for these cases are covered.”
“Who’ll be working in the new division?” Miriam, one of the employees in the risk management division, asks.
Nico leans into the microphone. “We’ll be filling a number of positions, first opening it up to current employees who are interested. If we need more, we’ll hire new recruits. But no one will be forced into a new role.”
“Who’ll be leading it up?” another employee asks. “Sofia? Are you doing it?”
“I’ll be heading it up along with Nico,” I reply. “I’ll manage the day-to-day workings of it—screening clients, coordinating the investigative part of things, assigning cases—but at the end of the day, everything will go to Nico for his approval.”
Most of the people in the audience look pleased by the news, but there are still a few skeptical expressions.
So I say, “I know it might seem strange, me coming in to head up a division of a company that’s pretty much all veterans.
And I respect that so much, truly. But I promise you, I will be incredibly dedicated to the cause.
Because—” I swallow hard. “I’ve been there.
I know how it feels. And anyone who’s going through that, I want to help them. ”
“Sofia will be incredible,” Nico adds. “This division is going to do incredible things.”
Another employee, Beau, who works in security systems, asks, “What’s it going to be called?”
Nico looks at me. “Go ahead.”
“The Sentries,” I reply. “The Fox & Falcon Sentries.”
“I think it sounds fantastic,” Jester announces loudly. Then he lifts his glass. “And I, for one, think Sofia will be fantastic.”
“Same,” Houdini says.
“Sofia’s the real deal,” Knight adds with a smile. “And she’s going to do great things for this company.”
Wraith catches my eye. “I echo everything they just said.”
Silence falls after that.
My heart races at breakneck speed.
Nico grasps my hand.
Then.
The applause begins.
Cheers ring out.
A buzz of voices creates a chorus of congratulations.
The band around my chest releases.
Nico takes the microphone back and says cheerfully, “Okay, that’s it! Anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. Otherwise, let’s enjoy the party.”
Then he sets the microphone back on the stand and leads me back to our table. On the way, he leans his head close to mine. “You were fantastic. And this is really going to make a difference.”
I loop my arm around his. “Thanks for listening to my idea.”
“Thanks for coming up with it,” Nico retorts with a smile. “I think it’s just what Fox & Falcon needs.”
I pull Nico to a stop. Looking up into the eyes of the man I’ve loved for more than half my life, I reply, “I think it is, too.”