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It’s all so overwhelming, so breathtakingly fast. Yet, in the safety of Damian’s arms, it feels like the most natural thing in the world. This is where I belong, with the man who has become my protector, my constant in the chaos.
We decide to find Nat and Edo to tell them the news. Edo was in the hotel lobby, phone pressed to his ear as he murmured something in a low voice, while Nat was at the bar, a drink clutched in her hand as she stared into nothing.
When we tell them, she nearly drops her glass.
“You’re… you’re pregnant?” Nat stammers, her eyes wide. “And you’re getting married?”
Damian nods, his arm wrapped firmly around my waist. “That’s right.”
Edo lets out a low whistle, a smile spreading across his face. “Mio Dio, I never thought this would ever happen. Congratulations, you two.”
But even as they offer their heartfelt congratulations, I can see the haunted look in Nat’s eyes, the lingering shadows of the day’s events. The loss of her family, the betrayal of her uncle… it’s a wound that will take time to heal.
Still, in this moment, I see a glimmer of hope, a promise of a future worth fighting for. With Damian by my side and our child on the way, I feel a renewed sense of purpose, a determination to forge a life filled with love, security, and the chance to right the wrongs of the past.
In this child—in this union—I see the chance to break the cycle of darkness that has plagued us all.
“I also have good news,” Edo says. “I was able to track down Katie’s parents. There’s a manhunt for her. We can take her home on our way back to Chicago.”
I let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through me. “What about the other women? Were you able to rescue them all?”
Nat nods solemnly. “Yes, we got them all out safely. They’re all going to be reunited with their families. Most of them were just innocents who were caught up in this against their will.”
“Thank goodness. I’m so glad to hear that. Those poor women have been through enough.”
Nat nods and looks down at her hands.
I remove myself from Damian’s embrace and move closer to Nat, gently touching her arm. “Are you okay?”
Nat inhales sharply and her eyes meet mine. I can see the pain lurking in her dark orbs. “No,” she says abruptly. “But I’ll be okay. Eventually. Today was just… it was a lot.”
She tips back her drink into her mouth before slamming the tumbler down.
I pull Nat into a tight hug, ignoring her squawk of surprise. “I’m here for you, Nat. We’re all here for you.”
Nat tentatively returns the embrace. “Thank you, Alexis. That… that means a lot.”
After coordinating with the authorities, we’re able to safely return Katie to her overjoyed parents. The moment they see their daughter, they rush forward, pulling her into a fierce embrace as tears of relief stream down their faces.
“Oh, Katie!” her mother cries, showering her with kisses. “My baby!”
Katie sobs into her mother’s shoulder, her small body trembling.
Her father looks up at us, eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, thank you so much. We can never repay you for bringing our little girl back to us.”
Katie turns to me, her eyes wide and shining, “You’re my guardian angel!” she declares, throwing her arms around me.
I blink back tears, hugging the child tightly. Somehow, this has healed some part of my inner child, knowing I was able to fulfill a promise. “I’m just happy you’re safe now, sweetheart.”
Damian steps forward, clearing his throat. “We’re glad we could assist to bring Katie back home to you.”
The child pulls back, beaming up at him. “Will you come visit me? And can you bring Biscotti next time?”
Damian laughs, a broad smile on his handsome face. “Of course, Miss Katie. Biscotti would love to meet her new friend.”
As Katie’s parents usher her away, their heartfelt gratitude and overwhelming relief are palpable. I watch them go, my heart swelling with bittersweet joy. We may have been able to rescue Katie, but there are still countless others still trapped in a living hell.
But for now, this small victory is enough to give me hope.
