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“Close the door.”
Wyatt did, and Carson took a seat behind his desk. Once he was seated too, he met his gaze.
Carson pushed a thick folder toward him. “This is for you.”
Wyatt took it with the old dread of facing his nemesis—words on a page.
With a glance at Carson, he took out his phone.
He gave a slight nod of understanding.
He opened the reading app and let the familiar synthetic voice read the text for him. Using this workaround felt fine now. He didn’t need to hide it anymore, which felt like shackles falling off. He’d spent so many years treating this as a shameful secret, hiding behind excuses and late nights alone in his room.
Now it was just a tool—like eyeglasses or hearing aids. Things that helped people function in the world.
He would continue to work with Gabe on learning to read the words instead of relying on the app, but for now, it worked. Today, it was enough.
He skimmed through a few pages of what he quickly discerned was a contract before the app read through one section.
He met Carson’s stare.
“You’re in.” Carson watched his face.
His heart gave a thud. “This is for Black Heart Security.”
He dipped his head in a nod. “You proved your worth and then some, Rhodes. We all discussed it, and the vote was unanimous. We want to work with you. All you need to do is sign the contract.”
“What about the training program? I’m slated to start with the next class.”
“Then you’ll go through the program. Probably end up on that mountain again.” He gave a wry smile. “Let’s hope you don’t find any more women hiding up there.” He tossed a look at the window and the view of the mountain beyond.
His throat constricted with emotion.
“There’s more.” Carson shifted in his seat.
“Are you gonna tell me I won a new car too?”
He huffed a laugh. “Corbin and Dillard both started talking the second the DA offered them a deal. Corbin folded first—gave up everything on Talon Group. Dillard followed once he realized he was going down alone.”
Wyatt straightened. “How much did they give up?”
“Names, accounts, the whole chain of command. Federal agents raided three Talon Group offices yesterday morning. Six more arrests since then, including the man who executed the ATF agent.”
He blew out a low breath and felt some of the tight coil in his chest loosen after weeks. “It’s actually over.”
“It’s actually over,” Carson confirmed. “Whitley is free and clear. No more looking over her shoulder. And she’s free to go anywhere she wants.”
Their gaze held for a beat on what neither of them said but both knew—she wouldn’t be leaving.
Everything began to sink in. The case closed, the threat dismantled and months of fear was behind Whitley.
He wasn’t military and never would be. But he had this.
A team. Black Heart Security.
And it felt like he’d been chosen by an elite group and won the girl at the same time.
“Thank you.” His voice was rough.
