Page 91 of Redemption
Lachlan nods slowly. “It’s over. Lachlan and Keira Mount are dead. So are DuFort and his father. Their family home in the Garden District burned to the ground, and both bodies will be found inside. No one will ever ask questions. It’s truly over. We’re free.”
I squeeze him tighter, overwhelmed by the riot of emotions coursing through me. Our daughter is safe—forever.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I cry on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“I love you, Keira. Now, no more tears. It’s time for the best years of our lives. And they start right now.”
Chapter Fifty
Keira
The next morning
NEW ORLEANS IN TURMOIL
Following the release of sensitive personal information relating to government and law enforcement officials on the local, state, and federal levels, the city of New Orleans is in a state of chaos and disorder today. Social media platforms have attempted to censor much of the content, but once seen, the alarming and disturbing photographs cannot be forgotten. Careers have been ended, and suicides have been rampant among those affected. Most notably, John Pierre DuFort—one of the joint chiefs of staff, a New Orleans native, and a trusted advisor and friend for many years to the current president of the United States—is said to have ended his life and intentionally burned his Garden District home to the ground after evidence allegedly tying him to years of satanic ritual child abuse became public knowledge. The body of his son, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was also found among the ruins.
Our prayers are with the families of all affected by this spread of information, for which no organization, terrorist, or vigilante group has yet to claim responsibility. Others, however, are rejoicing that the truth has been set free and decades of corruption and its perpetrators have been exposed.
Where does this leave the great city of New Orleans, other than without a mayor, three-quarters of the city council, the police chief, countless judges, law enforcement, and government officials? At this time, we are not certain, but one thing is for sure: this moment will never be forgotten, and New Orleans will forever be altered by what has been brought to light.
In other potentially related news, the manhunt for Lachlan Mount, the city’s most infamous resident, has been called off with the discovery of his remains, along with his wife’s, in the aftermath of the destruction of Seven Sinners Distillery …
I didn’t know what my husband’s dead man’s switch entailed, but as I read article after article, I can’t help but smile. Not because of the chaos or the nightmares come to life for many people, but because I should have known. I should have known.
Lachlan Mount is a man like no other. He lives according to his own set of rules, and he always has. That’s one thing that has been consistent every moment that I’ve known him. They might not be the rules that society deems proper and acceptable, but they’re rules that guided his actions and behaviors in a world that society could never possibly understand. When you’re the ruthless king of New Orleans, you can do anything. But Lachlan didn’t use his power the way many would have. From the slew of articles, I know that Lachlan has been collecting and keeping this information for years. Many would’ve used it for blackmail, but he used it for freedom.
Only those who were already guilty by their own actions were exposed. Who knew that the boogeyman could be used by the hand of justice to see so many wrongs made right?
“Have you finished catching up on the news?” the most beloved voice in the world asks me as I close my laptop.
I turn to look at him on the bed, where our daughter uses him as a jungle gym. With his hair askew and the shine of drool from Aurora’s kisses on his cheek, an overwhelming wave of love washes through me.
“I didn’t know I could love anyone as much as I love you,” I tell him. “You’re a genius. A brilliant, unpredictable genius.”
“Love is a crazy thing, isn’t it?” he replies with the easiest and most carefree smile I’ve ever seen on his face. “It’s the most powerful force in the world, hands down. It’s been the driving motive behind the most important things I’ve ever done.”
I think for a moment of all that I’ve done out of love, and I know he’s speaking the absolute truth.
“So, now what?”
A grin flashes across his face, and it’s a gift to see it there.
Things have truly changed. This is a new day. A new chapter in our life. An ending that became a beautiful new beginning.
“This little girl is ready for breakfast, if the nibbling on my fingers is any indication.”
I laugh with a smile. “Definitely time for breakfast.”
“And,” Lachlan adds, “I have a surprise for my mother. Do you think she’s awake?”
I glance out the window at the light pouring over the island. “She loves to paint in the morning light. I would be willing to bet she’s in the conservatory.”
“Excellent,” he says, scooping Aurora up and rising to his feet. He holds out a hand, and I take it to stand. “Let’s go. This will be fun.”
I squeeze his hand and press a kiss to Aurora’s chubby cheek. “And then breakfast for you, little princess.”
We make our way downstairs and find Marco munching on a piece of biscotti with his coffee. His smile lights up his face when he sees us.
