"Well, that's definitely not subtle." I commented as we watched a breaking news logo filling the TV screen. A reporter spoke:

"This just in. Authorities have taken into custody 34-year-old Owen Donahue, a former military officer suspected of being involved with the mass shooting in Los Angeles last year. While the FBI has released no other information or scheduled a press conference, sources say that Donahue was brought to the FBI building, unconscious, with a bow and a note."

"A bow?" I asked Xavier.

"A gold one. Julian thought it was a nice touch. I didn't bother to argue with him since he dropped off our hostage." Xavier said distantly, sipping from his glass.

"The note claimed that Donahue is not only one of four shooters, but also part of a political conspiracy. The FBI is still looking for his three accomplices..." The reporter paused, hearing something from off-camera. Then, looking shaken, they continued.

"It seems our station and other media outlets just received a letter from an anonymous source. The letter talks about a bribery scheme, as well as federal conspiracy. They claim to have a list of over a hundred people involved and say they will release it in a matter of days.

"To support these claims, they have leaked a few names, including Owen Donahue and Sophia Rodriguez, former head of environmental protections in New York State, who was charged with fraud a few days ago. Another four names were released: Ruben Anthony, Thomas Harvey, Patrick Myers, and Howard Campbell. We suspect that these men had involvement with the shooting. Documental evidence is being analyzed now and will be reported as soon as possible."

I muted the TV as political experts started their commentary.

"I hope we covered our tracks or we're in deep shit, Xavier. Agencies are going to try to find us for the list, including Adlai. Pretty sure he knows it's us."

Xavier tapped his lips thoughtfully.

"This is what we wanted– sending a message that will cause everyone to sweat and make mistakes. The people on the list will understand the risk and threat to their lives. There's nowhere these guys can hide now, especially using Campbell as an example. The media is going to go crazy and start pointing fingers at people– the power of technology and social media. We can save the grand finale for later, but we can handle rumors and conspiracy theories put on TikTok and Youtube. Besides, it's time the world caught up."

Xavier smacked my shoulder in reassurance.

"People are going to start accusing one another, make an excuse to get rid of competitors or enemies," I agreed. I thought about it a bit more and became satisfied. "Lorenzo is going to be pissed."

"We need to get under his skin. It's his move, but we're striking harder. This can go two different ways," Xavier started using his fingers to make his points. "Lorenzo can become more lethal or impulsive. Lorenzo is meticulous, likes to play the long game. He doesn't like mistakes and the news will put pressure on him and his boss. What he did in LA shows that he can crack if he's desperate enough. We're about to put him in a corner. People do crazy things when they're desperate. We just need to be ready."

We watched as Campbell's name and picture was put on the screen, the reporters going over the CEO's history and background. There was going to be no coming back from this.

Then he shouldn't have tried to blow my girlfriend up.

"It seems too smooth for us. Something is going to blow up in our faces soon enough." I sighed.

"Don't be so pessimistic. It's going to taint our luck, Asshole." Xavier clicked his tongue.

"I'm being realistic." I countered as Erik entered the office.

"Boss, I just saw a change on the YSA website. There was a strange encryption key, but I was able to break it. There seems to be four contacts active in the area."

Erik showed Xavier his tablet.

"Do you know their job assignments?" Xavier asked as he scanned through. I leaned in to look, only finding different code names.

"It doesn't say, just a bunch of coding. I'm trying to figure out the pattern and translate it with my team. I'm also trying to block not only the FBI but the NSA and DHS. Not the first time I've done this, so I can steer away or block them. I even have a virus ready to wipe out their systems if they get too close."

Erik was clearly excited about the challenge. He was living a hacker's dream and I could practically see the adrenaline rush coursing through him.

"Have fun, but don't get cocky. This isn't a contest against Rebecca Campbell. Do the work, all right?" Xavier reminded, which made Erik nod and scowled at the mention of Mrs. Campbell.

"Of course, boss. But I will not let a snobby socialite take me out. Keep you posted."

Erik took back his tablet and pulled out his phone, talking to people on the other line as he left the office.

"You should really give the man a raise. You think he's a little bitter that someone got through one of his firewalls?" I said with amusement.

"Only a little bit," Xavier chuckled before the news grabbed his attention again. "And the devil is speaking."

Any lightheartedness I felt drained away as a picture of Wiseman popped up on the screen, the news banner saying "Senator Anthony Wiseman reprimands shooter and denies anonymous source claims". I unmuted the TV as a clip of the senator ran.

"The American people, especially the friends and families of the victims, deserve justice for the actions of these vile individuals. I'm glad that one of the perpetrators has been taken into custody.

"But we must remember it's the actions of the individuals and how they violated their Second Amendment rights. I know other politicians and the media will try to point out that this was because of gun access, but that isn't the problem. We must come together and protect one another from dangerous situations like this."

"Don't even get me started." Xavier mumbled.

"As for the mysterious source of these allegations, they should turn themselves in and hand over the list. I'll personally demand access to this list of names that are supposedly corrupting our society. But this is only a way of dividing us. We must stay cautious, for these people don't care about the damage they may cause this country. The American people have voted or supported the people in their positions. We must not turn away from them without hard evidence. Who is with me?" Wiseman asked the crowd, who were loudly agreeing.

I shook my head angrily, unable to stomach millions of people cheering for a man who could be the center of all the pain Rosaline and so many victims went through.

As much as I wanted us to release all the information at once, I knew there was a reason we went the slow route at first. There were powerful people in the Diablos's pocket, ones that could blackmail, bribe, or make people simply disappear. We needed to make sure that once the list was released, everything was out in the open. That meant taking out the heads of the operation.

But that wasn't the only reason we were operating this way, using our own power to wipe the Diablos out.

We wanted to make all those people on the list suffer for their involvement. We wanted them to know their actions wouldn't go unnoticed or without consequences. If it meant stripping them of everything they cared about, then so be it.

That's the least we could do to them.

"What a politically nice way of saying that it's all bullshit." Xavier leaned in his chair, watching the senator closely. He smiled wickedly, not moving his eyes away from his mark.

"Lucky for us, Angelo put all the files and documents that convict every single one of them. Now get some rest, Adlai will want to contact us soon."



"What's all of this? And where are the twins?"

I looked up from my circle of papers to see Damon looking down at me on the floor.

"Hey. How'd it go with the leak?" I asked back.

"Doing well so far. Donahue is in custody and the police are looking for the others. And you didn't answer my question." Damon replied, gesturing to the paper in my hand.

"Julian is with Jasmine and Josh ran away when he saw all the papers. I think therapy scares him," I waved a sheet that had a bunch of faces with different expressions.

"It's an emotion chart. Dr. Paxton gave me some exercises to identify my emotions and mood shifts– pretty sure you're aware of that. He wants me to use this chart throughout the day and log how I'm feeling and doing. Basically, I have my own mood journal," I explained. "But look at the journal he gave me! It's covered in little flower stickers. His granddaughter decorated it for me."

Damon let out a small smile at the messy arrangement on the journal, some of them bent and dirty from tiny fingers.

"So your therapist gave you homework?"

I shrugged. "Seems a bit out there, but I'm willing to give it a go. I read that these exercises are common and help a person identify different stressors."

"Which textbook did you read that from? You basically read through everything in the library." Damon said as he sat next to me on the floor.

I scoffed.

"That's a hyperbole. I haven't made a dent in that room. But I've read multiple criminal psychology books and therapy techniques," I fiddled my papers. "I was actually starting to apply for some criminal psychology programs in the city, maybe learn to be a profiler. I know it's a bit out there– especially since I studied literature in college and some accounting– but I want to go for it."

"Then you should," Damon wrapped his arm around me. "As long as I have you by my side, I'll be your personal cheerleader."

The thought of Damon cheering with a bunch of pompoms brought me into a fit of giggles. Now that would be a sight to see.

I managed to calm down after a few moments and saw Damon looking at me with a soft expression.

"It's nice to think about. A future with me and you, Xavier and Maria, the twins...it kind of sounds too good to be true." I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder.

"It's in your grasp. You just need to keep fighting and it's yours." Damon grabbed my hand, kissing the back of it. This man was going to turn me into a puddle if he didn't stop being so sweet.

We stayed in silence, enjoying each other's company.

"You know, I've always been jealous of your eyes," I blurted out.

I blushed at the random sentence but continued anyway. I moved so we were face-to-face with one another. I gently rubbed the skin underneath his eyes.

"I love your green eyes. Sometimes I wish I had different eyes. My dark muddy brown ones are so boring compared to the rest of you. Makes me green with envy." I joked to hide the annoying insecurity I had.

It made no sense to be jealous of someone's eyeballs.

Damon couldn't help rolling his eyes. "Nice pun. But you're wrong."

I blinked in confusion. "Wrong about what?"

"About your eyes being boring. They are the most expressive eyes that I've ever encountered. I could stare at them all day. And when the light hits them, they remind me of honey. So no, your eyes aren't boring. They are beautiful just like the rest of you– body, mind, and soul." Damon finished with a firm kiss on my lips.

He said it so matter-of-factly, it was hard to argue.

"You keep talking like that and I'm going to think you've been reading some of the books on the nightstand." I said against his mouth.

"I'm not confirming or denying anything. Xavier would never let me hear the end of it."

I pulled back to look at him.

"Thank you for being you." I told him sincerely.

Damon pushed back some hair behind my ear.

"I'm only me around you," he admitted.

Why is he such a charmer? My scowling prince charming.

I didn't know how to respond, but a familiar feeling warmed my chest. I swallowed, trying to find the courage to say those powerful three words that I've read about and witnessed.

It's strange how three words can change everything.

I was scared to say them, though. Not after what happened with my parents. If I said them, would it bind us the same way my parents did? I wanted a relationship like they had, but terrified that one day if something happened to Damon, I would turn into my father, who withered away into nothing once my mother died.

I knew Damon and I were our own individuals, but I couldn't seem to get rid of this irrational fear.

But I had been in love with Damon for months. I realized it on one particular night when we were snuggled up in bed together and talking about our past and dreams.

Sitting here now though, all those fears seem irrelevant. Damon was right; my future was in my grasp and I just needed to fight for it.

I cleared my throat. "Damon, there's something I–"

Damon's phone cut off my statement. Damon looked at me apologetically.

"I can wait–"

"No, this could be important. Raincheck?" I said with a weak smile.

Damon nodded, kissing my forehead before answering his phone.

"What?" Damon growled, unhappy that our time was cut short. The person on the line started talking, and Damon's face turned grim. "I'm on my way."

Damon hung up the phone, looking at me gravely.

"That was John. The feds went to the shooters' hotel room. They were all dead at the scene."