“Another pedophile ring has been discovered in Australia,” Eric explains and passes around the kill order. Yes, we still get them, but we make sure they fit our parameters before taking them on.
Names:Paula and Roman Thatcher [spouses]
Last Known Location:Perth, Australia
Crime:Heads of a child pedophile ring
Victim Count:Unknown
Death Wish:Torture. Spreadeagle. Live-streamed on the dark web.
Status:
After we’ve all reviewed it, we unanimously agree to take it on. We can’t let this stand. “We should bring Dukey in on it too,” Nate muses, and we agree. This could be a big operation, and she’d be a lot of help. Eric types on his laptop, then prints out the new order, adding to the bottom:
Status:Investigation started 03/2025
Additional Notes:Recruit The Duke
Epilogue 2
Nate Bannerman
ten years later
Sittingonthegrassyverge at the top of the hill, the palm trees swaying behind me, I overlook our little kingdom. We bought this island six years ago as a group, and it’s become a yearly tradition for all of us to come here for two weeks to recharge and have fun.
Beside me, a path leads down to a white sandy beach. Part of the island is shaped like a crescent moon, allowing a small bay to form. The waters are crystal clear, resembling that beautiful turquoise you see in travel brochures.
Sun loungers dot one side of the crescent, while picnic tables and chairs line the other.
My gaze sweeps over the people that have become my family, and warmth spreads through my chest. Ryan and The Duke sit on one of the loungers, towels wrapped around them as they talk animatedly. He’s over sixty now but has no plans to retire just yet. I’ll take over when he does, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
My head snaps to the left when I hear a loud peal of laughter, my lips curling into a smile when I see Dutch speed by on a jet ski, Cruz chasing her down. As if she could run from him.
Jase and Kian are on the opposite side of the bay, also on jet skis, but leaning over them while they make out. They finally got married a year after Dutch and Cruz did, not that any of us were surprised. It just took Kian that long to convince Jase to do it.
Trey and Rebecca are at the picnic tables, feeding each other from food packed in the various coolers lined up on the tables. No, we didn’t reuse the ones the heads were in. What do you think we are? Demons?
Susannah sits on the sand with her two children, Julia and Thalia, while Justin and Theo help make sandcastles. They finally moved out of Dutch’s apartment when Julia was born and are now renting one closer to the Waverley Building, so Auntie Dutch can help with her nieces.
I’ll never be able to thank Susannah enough for what she did for us. Warning Tessa in the coffee shop that day saved our lives and gave us a future I couldn’t have dreamed was possible.
“Nate!” Tessa calls, and I turn my head to look down the path. She’s coming my way, holding hands with Eric. My chest aches as I stand to greet them, the depth of my love still enough to overwhelm me, even all these years later.
“Daddy!” shouts Elijah, tumbling off Eric’s shoulders and into my waiting arms. I scoop him up, tickling his tummy. He giggles, looking up at me with silver eyes, his black curls dancing in the breeze. He’s the spitting image of his father.
Tessa and Eric wrap their arms around us as we turn to look out over the sparkling waters and the family we have created.
It’s a beautiful life indeed.
