Chapter 18 - The Aftermath
By sunrise, the switching yard was swarming with federal investigators, state police, and federal marshals, all directed by anonymous digital data dumps that meticulously detailed every crime Marcus Vance had committed over the past decade.
Declan and Aaron stood beside the armored sedan, watching the emergency medical technicians wrap Marcus in a body bag. Graham Pike stood a few yards away, handcuffed by federal agents, but as Declan caught his eye, Graham gave a slow, ironic nod of mutual respect before being led away to a maximum-security transport van. He would spend the rest of his life in prison, but he had settled the score with the man who betrayed them all.
Mia rushed across the tarmac, her face stained with tears, and practically ripped Penny out of Declan's arms, covering the little girl's face with desperate, frantic kisses.
"Are you okay, sweetheart? Did they hurt you?" Mia cried.
"Uncle Declan came and saved me, Mommy," Penny said proudly, clutching her small wooden music box tightly against her chest. "Just like a real superhero."
Declan smiled softly, feeling a warmth in his chest that no amount of wealth or power could ever replace. He looked over at Aaron, who placed a heavy, reassuring hand on his older brother's shoulder.
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"It's finally over, Declan," Aaron said quietly. "The ledger is clean. For real this time."
"Good," Declan replied, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. "Because I have a five-year-old niece who needs help winding up her music box."
