Page 197 of Knox

“Efesto Rochester,” I say, sliding the next paper forward. “I secretly bought his debt, board shares, and credit lines. Once I had everything in order, I called in all the loans, shorted his stock, and forced his entire empire into bankruptcy.”

Knox remains quiet, staring at the page, so I pull out another document and show it to him.

“I… I bought the deed to the very estate where your mother was held captive. I bulldozed the fuck out of it and started construction on a domestic violence shelter.”

Knox looks at the blueprints and the official name of the shelter printed at the top: Evangeline.

Named after his mother.

“You can change the name if you want…” I trail off.

I open the black Klein-Snyder folder and slide the final legal document across the table.

“Even though the criminal charges were dropped decades ago, one of the best lawyers in New York has taken the case to the District Attorney to officially reopen criminal charges. Efesto will never see another sky that isn’t covered by iron bars… And I know you are against using money because he used his to isolate your mother, but… I used mine to strip away everything he ever owned.”

I pull my arms against my chest, waiting, burning with anxiety as I watch the shock wash over Knox’s face.

“I…” Knox starts.

“I’m sorry,” I panic, my voice pitching up. “I’m sorry I did this without your permission, or if I hurt you by dragging all this back up. If you want, we can burn all these papers right now—”

Knox launches out of his chair, leans across the table, grabs me by the nape of the neck, and crashes his lips against mine.

My body relaxes as he curls his arm around my waist.

He hauls me right up out of my seat, pulling me across the table, and presses his body against mine as he deepens the kiss.

Across the room, the whole group cheers.

“Don’t go breakin’ ma damn table, you brute!” Finnian yells over the noise, and I burst out laughing right against Knox’s lips.

“Was my gift okay?” I whisper.

“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received. I love you, my prince.”

“I love you, too.”

THE END