The second photo from the ball catches a glimpse of her eyes.
I can still remember how they locked on mine—stormy and daring—how that look kept me up more nights than I’ll ever admit.
Another is an image they’ve pulled from my gate’s security cameras. It shows her pulling through my gates in the rain for the first time, headlights cutting through fog. She’s gripping the wheel, jaw set. Still chasing danger. Still not realizing she was already in its jaws.
The final photo stops me cold.
How the hell did they get this?
Autumn is slumped in the back of one of my cars, blood blooming through her clothes on the night of the explosion. Withher skin pale and lips parted, I remember not waiting for my men to pull her out.
I pulled her out myself.
It was the first night in years that I felt powerless. The night I knew that I wouldn’t sleep again until I annihilated all threats once and for all.
“These are clearly AI-generated,” I say.
“They’ve been verified by intelligence.” She snatches them back. “But you can keep pretending. Let’s move on.”
“Thank you.”
She flips a page. “Should the fact that your entire family is buried in your backyard concern anyone at all?”
“Not unless someone is planning to dig them up.” I finally stand, pushing back my chair.
“I’m done complying today. If this goes to trial, I’ll be there.”
“You won’t have a choice,” she says, shrugging. “You know, it’s always the men with nothing to lose—the ones without families—who act this way.”
I tense, tempted to serve her the words she deserves once and for all, but I hold back.
“See you in court, Miss Poole.” I smooth my jacket and walk out the side door.
Outside, Chester is waiting, already leaning against the car.
“So? How worried should we be?” he asks. “Scale of one to ten?”
“Fifty.”
End of Episode 5
Bravissima
EPISODE 6
Autumn
Mom
Where did you go, Autumn?
Seattle. Just going to do something quick for a friend.
Okay… When?
Within twelve hours. I’ll be ready for coffee and catching up…
Oh, alright then, hun. I’ll pick you up again. :-)
