Epilogue
Long after Jax had made passionate love to her, touching her at her very soul, Viviana woke from a troubled sleep. Nestling next to him, she was surprised to see that Jax had turned on the television and was watching four eager commentators discussing the astonishing capture of Joaquin Blanco and the more riveting collapse of the Vega campaign.
“I didn’t know you were awake, Jax. Are you okay?”
“Yes, darlin’, I’m okay. I couldn’t sleep. I guess I’m still riding my adrenaline high. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
At her negative murmur, he moved up against the pillows and tugged her next to him. “I hadn’t seen any of the television coverage. Damn, Viviana, we really did pull off a coup, didn’t we? For once, I’m as impressed with us as the gaggle of media whores are.”
At that moment, the news channel was replaying one of the many interviews with Viviana. As usual, the commentators were celebrating yet another Enchantress victory heralding their heroine. However, there were also questions about her support of Vega. The reporter on the screen pressed her. “I don’t understand, Sergeant Moreau—you were one of Enrique Vega’s biggest champions. You campaigned with him and repeatedly endorsed his views.”
Viviana answered crisply, “Yes, I did. I admired his public stands. Which made the truth challenging. As you know, fighting pedophiles and hideous criminals who abuse young girls and boys has been my lifelong focus. When I learned that Vega and his cohorts were funded by a cartel known for drug and human trafficking, I was heartsick.”
At that moment, Jax, who was standing beside her, stepped in. “To be clear, we could not have taken down these despicable criminals if not for Sergeant Moreau’s participation. She courageously inserted herself into the campaign, planted recording devices on the principles, and even managed to infiltrate the campaign’s computer hard drives. Her daring actions gave us irrefutable evidence of the criminal hypocrisy of the Vega campaign and confirmed its association with the El Blanco.”
Before the reporter could respond, Jax continued. “As you remember, when we took down what the media termed the Diva Dominatrix criminals, to my dismay, no less than five of the miscreants were law enforcement professionals. The former police commissioner Paul Davis and, I would add, a former member of my special operative team was one of the despicable child rapists. It’s hard to describe the pain and rage I felt when I understood how truly contemptible he was—the man I had considered a friend and colleague. Trust me, it was a devastating personal cut. As for Enrique Vega’s deception, fortunately because of Sergeant Moreau’s fierce commitment and her incredible courage, we took down a consummate charlatan who came close to fooling the state of California—not to mention all of you.”
Viviana leaned against him, then murmured softly, “Thanks for coming to my defense, Jax.”
“Why wouldn’t I, Viviana? Jesus, darlin’, we couldn’t have brought those fucking assholes to the ground without you. Besides, it feels good to poke at those self-important commentators who all drank the Kool-Aid and now are pretending they weren’t bamboozled.”
Viviana buried herself against his chest, then said tremulously, “Jax, do you know how hard it was for me to watch the news tonight? It brought back all those questions I could barely answer. The ones you had to jump in and answer for me.” She hesitated, then straightened and appealed to Jax. “I don’t understand how I could have been so stupid. So unwilling to see the cracks in him.” Grasping his hands, she shook her head in dismay. “And how willing I was to write off your concerns as merely a jealous reaction to a handsome and charming man.”
Jax drew himself to a sitting position and pulled her alongside him. His expression was serious. “You were right about at least some of my reactions, Viviana. I was jealous of him and furious at your refusal to see any of his faults. But, darlin’, what was hardest for me was your unwillingness to acknowledge my concerns.”
Viviana jerked up and pinned him with a hard glare. “Don’t you see, Jax? That’s why I’m upset. What was wrong with me? I’m usually so much smarter, but I was completely blind to what he was.” She frowned and said distractedly, “Why did I fall for it, Jax? I never do that.”
Jax knew he had to tread carefully. The news he was about to relay was more than challenging. But her dismay at her actions opened a door they both needed to go through. He drew a deep breath and said flatly, “Actually, Viviana, you do. Everything is black and white to you. In your worldview, there are villains and heroes, white hats and black hats. I admit, your instincts are usually on target, but your certainty makes it hard to convince you that you may be wrong or that your strategy isn’t necessarily the wisest one. That’s one of the reasons it is so challenging to break through your ‘go-it-alone MO.’ Face it, sweetheart, you’ve spent most of your life refusing to rely on anyone but you.”
At her perplexed expression, Jax held up his hand, knowing that whether he was ready for it—and that she most certainly was not—the moment he’d been waiting for had arrived.
“I need to tell you something, Viviana. I have news. Important news.”
She gazed at him and said warily, “I don’t think I want to hear that news, Jax.”
Not letting her pull away, Jax shook his head. “Sorry, darlin’. Not an option. It’s like this. In addition to unmasking Enrique Vega and his devious team, you know I charged Serge Stryker with another mission, an even more critical charge. That was to track down the evil people from your past.” When she tried to move back, he held her closer, not letting her pull away. “I know, baby, this is tough. But I promised you that I would never stop until I found the despicable sub-human pedophiles who abused you as a child.”
She whirled on him, her expression fierce. “Dammit, Jax, I told you I didn’t want Serge to do that. You had no right to keep investigating my ugly past.”
He placed a finger on her lips, stopping her tirade. “I disagree, Viviana. I had every right. You and I pledged we were going to honor the young girl you have spent your life protecting. After you were nearly killed in our last escapade, we both promised we would hunt down the despicable people who abused you. Thanks to his being such a remarkable investigator, Serge found them. At least the ones who are still alive.”
At her shocked gasp, Jax narrowed his gaze and held her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I’m calling on you now, Viviana, to join me in the single most critical mission either of us will undertake. That is to avenge an incredibly important little girl. A very brave, very honorable eleven-year-old Viviana Moreau.”
Viviana was quiet for a long moment then pinned him with a piercing glare. “Promise me, Jax. Promise me we will take them down. Crucify them. Hang them from a cross they never knew existed.”
He grasped her hands and pulled her next to him. Meeting her fierce gaze, his voice was soft, thick with violent intent. “With God as my witness, Viviana, they will suffer a more hideous death than they knew existed.”