Page 140 of Resolve
Elias has already scheduled a meeting with me after the holidays to discuss how I’m supposedly repaying all his favors.
“Any word on Detective Unger?” I inquire.
“Still missing.” Cibrina offers me a consoling smile.
The murder investigation has essentially dropped since Detective Unger disappeared not long after I’d been rumored to have died. Jackson was prepared to wear Thorne’s face and be seen by the cameras to get me out of it, but thankfully, it didn’t need to go thatfar. I told him I’d rather Dane fake some evidence than try that plan, but he shrugged and said he’d keep it on ice just in case.
So long as it’s not in one of our freezers, I don’t care.
The tax audit came back clean with a nominal amount that had to be paid. Dane removed all the damaging articles and posts about the Guild, and we’ve been busier than ever. The frozen offshore account was confiscated, unfortunately, but we’ll be making that money back over the next year or so. Now that income is flowing in, it’s less of a concern. That had always been backup money anyway.
“I know that’s not the way you wanted the issue resolved, but him missing is better than having to prove Thorne’s alive,” Cibrina continues.
“I’d rather be done with it so it doesn’t loom over us like a dark cloud.”
She smiles. “I understand. Now go to Raegan and enjoy yourself tonight. I’ll keep an eye on any over-exuberant shenanigans with Penn and Quinn. Take the night off. Sing something for us,” she adds, laughter sparkling in her eyes.
I’d rather make Raegan sing for me in other ways, but I keep that thought to myself.
I raise my glass to her. “Thank you. Make sure you enjoy the party, too.”
Her glass clinks with mine. “I always do.”
Extended Epilogue
Raegan
“It’sbubbling.Isitsupposed to be bubbling?” I ask Dane, concerned I’m already screwing up my assigned task.
Kellan dips a finger into the sticky substance and licks it clean. “Tastes good to me.”
Dane smacks him over the head with a spatula. “Don’t stick your finger in the food we’re all going to be eating. Did you even wash your hands? Get out of the kitchen!”
Smiling at the two bickering behind me, I stir the liquid as I’d been directed to. Watch it. Stir it. Don’t let it burn.
Kell bumps into me, knocking me forward.
A swift breeze pushes me back before I fall onto the hot metal pot.
“Rae! What the fuck, Kell? This is why you’re banned from the kitchen!” Dane pulls me away from the stove to look me over.
Kellan steps protectively between me and the stove as ifit’s the one at fault. “Shit, beautiful. I forgot how small Old Red’s kitchen was. Are you hurt?”
I swat him away. “I’m fine. Now watch out so I can get back to stirring before I ruin it.”
Kell tries to stay by my side, but Aiden pins him with a dark stare. “Out.”
He shrugs, turning to the cabinet and pulling out some liquor. “I’ll make us some drinks. What do you want with our festive meal, beautiful?” He gathers them between his fingers in his two large hands, strolling around the island to the open side before setting them down.
Aiden’s sitting at the other end of the island peeling and slicing apples into a bowl while Jackson’s perched in the middle of the island with one foot up and the other dangling. Whenever Aiden gets distracted by us, he uses his gift to float an apple slice to himself. I’m still waiting for Aiden to realize half of his work has been eaten. He would have been done already if not for Jackson’s snacking.
“I’ll have whatever you’re making,” I answer Kellan.
Dane turns the fire down on my burner. “Let it simmer for another couple of minutes and then take it off the heat.”
I nod, making note of the time so I don’t mess it up. When he said he was making a big dinner for tonight, I asked if I could help. It’s the perfect night at Old Red with holiday music playing in the background, white string lights hanging along the brick walls, and a tree in the corner with small presents underneath. A fire plays on repeat on the television to add the crackle and ambiance without the heat. After dinner, we’ll open the presents and relax for the night.
It’s our first night back at Old Red since Dane and a few Guild members helped renovate it. The dorm-style rooms are gone,replaced with larger rooms for each of us with attached bathrooms. My bedroom is the largest with a bed big enough for the five of us. The truck bays have all of Kellan’s project cars and Dane’s bike. Aiden’s still shopping for a new car since he sold his Aston Martin. I’m also in the market for a car since Kell’s been giving me more driving lessons. We’re going to find one that I can use for getting around and in street races.
