CHAPTER 7 – THE LAST STAND
CHAPTER 7 – THE LAST STAND
Rain lashed against the monastery windows as armed police units silently surrounded the property.
Unknown to August Reed, Finley had triggered a hidden emergency protocol the moment the convoy was spotted. Instead of calling loyal soldiers, he contacted the only people Rowan had refused to trust for years—the federal task force that had spent a decade trying to dismantle organized crime in Boston.
Rowan looked through the security monitors.
"The empire is over," he said quietly.
Finley stared at him.
"You built it."
"And it destroyed everyone who believed in it."
His eyes drifted toward Piper, asleep in Maeve's arms.
"A six-year-old girl gave me more kindness in twenty minutes than I earned in thirty-eight years."
Outside, August's voice echoed through loudspeakers.
"Come out, Rowan."
"No more hiding."
Rowan wheeled himself toward the entrance.
Maeve stepped in front of him.
"You don't owe him anything."
"I owe someone."
He looked at Piper.
"I owe her a world where men like me don't decide who lives in fear."
He opened the monastery doors.
August smiled.
"I knew you'd come."
"No," Rowan replied.
"You never really knew me."
Red and blue lights suddenly flooded the hillside.
Police vehicles emerged from every direction.
Helicopters circled overhead.
August's smile vanished.
"You called them?"
May you like
Rowan nodded.
"I finally chose a side."
