36. Chapter 36 #3
Lucian turned back to Scarlett. “I can commute while I deal with whatever Jack needs from me. You could stay here instead of being dragged back and forth. It’ll mean increasing security at home, but with Lach there, I’m not worried.”
He glanced at me.
“Especially now that Isabella’s staying there too, I’m guessing you’ll have the building and a ten-block radius locked down tighter than Fort Knox.”
“If Scarlett stays at home, you won’t need to worry about her when you’re in Boston,” I said. “I’ll make sure she’s covered.”
Lucian nodded once. “I know.”
The simple certainty behind it meant he trusted me with his woman. There wasn’t much my brother could trust me with that carried more weight than Scarlett’s safety.
Scarlett was quiet for a moment, tracing her thumb around the rim of her mug.
“Getting some distance from my father was a good idea,” she finally said. “But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life arranging where I live or what I do around Andrew Hayes. That still gives him control, even if he isn’t in the room.”
Lacey nodded. “I agree.”
Scarlett sat a little straighter. “And after everything we uncovered about the trafficking network, I want to be here while we do something about it. My father helped protect those people. He used his office, his connections, and God knows what else to keep them operating.”
Her mouth tightened. “I want enough evidence against him that the next place he lives has bars on the windows.”
Lacey’s expression grew serious. “He’s not the only one who needs to be dealt with. There are politicians, businessmen, tech bros—people all over the world making money while women disappear into that system. Taking Delgado out didn’t make any of that go away.”
She leaned forward and placed her mug on the table.
“Then we keep pulling at every thread until the whole thing comes apart. Nik already has people following the money, and whatever you brought back from Spain gives us another place to start.”
She glanced up at Nik before continuing.
“Maybe the only men capable of taking down the billionaire boys’ club that buys judges, politicians, and silence are the men who already think like criminals.
Our men have never claimed to be saints.
But they know women aren’t merchandise, children aren’t collateral, and innocent people aren’t disposable.
That gives them more honor than half the men running the world. ”
“Exactly.” Scarlett settled against Lucian again. “Then I’m staying, and together we’re going to blow up Franklin Whitaker’s world.”
Lucian kissed the top of her head. “Love you.”
Lacey smiled. “Perfect. Then our mission is clear.”
Nik looked at Lacey with unmistakable pride. “That’s my wife. My sweet little Southern girl, plotting the destruction of billionaires. And people wonder why I made you my queen.”
Lucian and I both raised our glasses.
I looked at the three women gathered around us. “To the women in this room. Men like Delgado and Hayes tried to make victims out of every one of you. Delgado’s dead. The rest should be very careful about underestimating the women they left standing.”
Lucian raised his glass. “The bastards still breathing are about to learn what happens when the women they hurt stop being afraid of them.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Nik said.
The heavier conversation drifted back toward Broadway and everything else the girls wanted to show Isabella.
The conversation drifted on until Lacey checked her phone and frowned.
“The temperature’s dropping fast. All that slush outside is freezing.”
Nik glanced toward the windows. “Roads will be shit soon.”
“Then nobody’s leaving.” Lacey looked at Lucian and Scarlett, then at Isabella and me. “You’re all staying here tonight.”
Scarlett laughed. “Are you ordering us to spend the night?”
“Yes.”
Nik took a drink of his coffee. “My wife occasionally mistakes hospitality for hostage-taking.”
Lacey ignored him. “We have two full guest suites sitting empty. There’s no reason for any of you to go back out on icy streets tonight.”
I glanced down at Isabella. “Fine with you, Mouse?”
No answer.
At some point during the conversation, she’d set her empty mug aside and let her head settle against my chest. One hand rested loosely against my stomach, and her eyes were closed.
I smiled and lowered my voice. “I think that’s a yes.”
Lacey’s expression softened. “She had a big day. After the terrifying, painful week she’s had, most people would still be afraid to walk out the front door. She’s strong. Just like the rest of her Syndicate sisters.”
“Aye. She is.”
Conversation carried on around us while Isabella slept.
I stayed where I was with Isabella asleep against me. It said something about how safe she felt that she could fall asleep right here, surrounded by all of us.
After a while, I slid one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.
She stirred when I lifted her but didn’t wake, only tucking her face closer against my neck.
I carried Isabella down the hall and put her to bed.
For the moment, there was nowhere else either of us needed to be.