A long day has passed. We’ve been doing some digging into the past, mainly to gain closure on everything. I’ve legally changed my name. The Madden name is part of my history. I didn’t want to be tied to that family anymore. Kael is my family now.

Kael said I should go to them—talk to my parents—but there’s no way I would be able to look them in the eye after what they did. Giving me to a vile man like Harlan Wolfe for a seat in the senate. My father will get what’s coming to him.

We’ve also had tests done on the DNA of Harkin and Harlan. When they ran tests on the body of Harkin Wolfe, there were questions that popped up regarding his children. We didn’t realize he had any, but it seems something came up. Now we have to wait for them to trace the blood samples and find his next of kin.

Since the closure of Caged, which was later turned into a sanctuary for battered women, there’ve been speculations that Harkin fathered a daughter who was in Caged. We don’t know who she is yet, though.

I settle back, jotting notes for my next class. With a roaring fire, and the man I love beside me, I’m in my element. The sofa is warm, and so are Kael’s arms. He’s watching the television, which is—as always—on so loud, it’s drowning out the sound of the music from my earphones.

I swear, the man is going deaf the older he gets. Giggling at my wayward thoughts, I pull my earphones from my ears, regarding him. His face is one of concentration as he watches the images on screen. “Babe, please turn it down. I’m working on a new routine and I can’t concen—” My words are cut short when the newscaster announces the next story.

“Breaking news just in. This evening, Senator Madden was taken in along with his wife of more than thirty-years for questioning. They’ve been named as accomplices in the debacle that brought down the infamous nightclub Caged which was operating from a large property on the outskirts of New York. This is the same club where the prostitution ring had been holding girls and women prisoner forcing them to work in Caged.

Evidence was found in the home of Harkin Wolfe, the brother of the owner of Caged, Harlan Wolfe. Both Wolfe men were said to have bought and sold young girls into a life of sexual slavery. It seems our senator was one of the regulars of Caged, and had only secured his votes with the help of long-time business partner Harlan.

There was confirmation that the senator and his wife had also kept the disappearance of their daughter, Paige Madden, from the authorities by payments made to cover their story of her whereabouts for almost ten years. When questioned on numerous occasions, we were informed she’d left the country to live with family in Europe. With the latest discovery, we’ve learned this is not the case. We haven’t uncovered the whereabouts of Senator Madden’s daughter as of yet, but as soon as more news breaks, we’ll be here to keep you informed.”

“Wow.” My voice is filled with shock. I knew something would happen after getting my revenge on Kael’s uncle. Yes, we made sure they found his body, but we also ensured that none of the evidence they found led back to us. Everything was done with exact precision.

“Are you okay, Phoenix?” His deep baritone sounds beside me, and I nod. I can’t find words to describe how it feels to see your parents being arrested for being criminals. After all these years, growing up in that house, bred for a life of slavery. He knew what he was doing the whole time. Each year I got older, he planned for me to be taken into Caged. All for what? A seat in the senate. For fame. It makes me sick that my own father, the man who was meant to love and protect me, could do such a thing.

We never had any proof I was sold to Harlan, but now that the story is out and the media has a hold of it, my father will get what he deserves. The things he’s done to earn a place on the senate will be made public knowledge.

Kael tugs me closer to him, cocooning me from the world, and I revel in it. “I love you, Kael.”

“I love you too, baby. Always,” he says into my hair. The scent of his spicy cologne calms me somewhat. This is the only thing I need. My new life is on the right track, and never again will I be in a situation where my choices are taken away from me.

Now all I want to do is move forward. Forget the past. It’s my history, not my present or my future. With that in mind, I know I’ll be with Kael, and even though the Wolfe name is smeared in filth, I know my Wolfe is a good man. And so is Samael.

I’m safe. I’m loved. I’m free.

* * *

Life has been much simpler now that the past is behind us. Paige is finally free of the nightmares that plagued her for so long. There were nights I didn’t know how we were going to make it through this.

She’d wake up screaming. I’d hear her begging, pleading for the pain to stop. It’s then that I wanted to kill the monsters of her past all over again. I’d rage in the studio so she wouldn’t know how much it was killing me to see her like that. After Harkin’s murder, we’d slowly moved on. She went to see a therapist to talk through her anguish. We went to counseling together as well. I was there for her every step of the way.

I’ve seen the change in her. Over the last two years since her father was arrested along with her mother, she’s become happier. The stress has left her, and now the only thing she worries about is the baby. Her pregnancy came at a time when we were both ready. And I couldn’t be happier to see her glowing.

It’s late afternoon and I’ve just finished the painting that’s earned me a hefty commission. We decided to move closer to Sam and Freya in New York, but the house in Chicago still needs to be sold. Paige said we should keep it as a vacation home, but I want to move on.

Over the last three years, Samael and I have grown closer, perhaps like we used to be when we were kids and Mom was still around. Even though I don’t remember much about her, I recognize the familiarity in Sam’s eyes. The same deep blue.

“Uncle Kael!” A screech comes from down the hall, and not long after, my three-year-old niece comes bounding into the room. She’s beautiful. I tell her she looks nothing like her father, but she always giggles and tells me her mommy says she’s exactly like my brother.

Moment’s later, Paige comes rushing into the studio gripping her swollen belly. “Layla!” she gasps, staring at the little blonde pigtailed girl in my arms. Paint is smattered across my clothes, which in turn has messed up the pink dress that Layla’s wearing.

“Sit down, baby.” I smirk at my woman. She’s six-months pregnant with our first child, and I’ve never been more in awe of her. Even though she’s been told to stop working so much, she can’t stay away from the new dance studio she opened when we moved here. Freya and Kota now work alongside Paige, teaching dance to women of all ages.

Since we’ve moved closer, the girls have found companionship—a family of sorts, even though we’re unconventional. Paige and Kota still enjoy playing together, mainly to taunt Axel and I. It’s been good for them to have the connection, something their own families didn’t give them.

“Freya is on her way to pick up the kids, but Mikael fell asleep so you’ll have to carry him to the car when she gets here,” she informs me. Mikael is a sweet kid. Looks just like his dad. Big blue eyes that will one-day break hearts.

“You ready to go home? Your mom and dad must be missing you,” I murmur into her blonde pigtails. She smells of candy and soda. “Did she have the red candy in the jar?” I glance at Paige and she blushes with a slight nod.

“Those were the only sweets we had. I’ll get more later.”

“I had plans for those.” With a wink, her cheeks redden, and I’m dying for some alone time with my wife. “Later.” Setting Layla down, I grab a cloth and wipe her dress, but the bright red and blue blobs on the front are not coming off.

“Mommy will yell at you,” she informs me, and I nod. Freya is a feisty little thing. My brother has his hands full.

“Hello.” The call comes from downstairs, and I hear her footfalls near as she heads up to the studio. Once inside, Freya glances between her daughter and me, and I can tell she’s about to lose her shit.

“I picked her up not thinking.” I shrug, and am met with intense green eyes, which remind me of my woman’s.

“You’re buying her a whole new outfit, Kael Wolfe,” she sasses me playfully.

“Happily. I’d do anything for my little pixie.” I press a kiss to her forehead, and she races over to her mother. “Where’s Sam?”

“He’s with Dax. They just signed the paperwork on a new club in Belize. We’re thinking of heading out there for a couple of weeks. You guys should join us. It will be good to get away for a while.”

“Sounds good, maybe we can make it a group getaway. I know Axe and Kota would want to get away as well.” I glance at Paige, who’s been quietly sitting in the corner of my studio at the laptop, her hand absentmindedly circling her belly.

“Paige?” Freya’s tone is filled with concern, and it’s only when I glance between them that I notice my girl’s eyes glistening with unshed tears. Within an instant, I’m on my knees in front of her, my hands on hers.

“Are you in pain? What’s wrong? Why are your crying?” The questions I bombard her with are non-stop, and she glances at me with a small smile. “What?”

“I just opened the email from Dr. Gysen. Look.” She points at the screen as we all huddle over the desk. He just emailed a short video of our sonogram. In the email, he explained that he’d previously missed it but asked if we could come in for another one, because he’s certain there are twins in my wife’s belly.

“Baby,” I murmur in awe. I couldn’t love her more, at least I didn’t think I could, but it seems every day this woman gives me more and more reason to be in complete and utter awe of her. Of the strength, love, and compassion she exudes. The life she’s given me is beyond anything I could have ever asked for.

“Congratulations you two! I need to tell Sam.”

I glance at my sister-in-law and I can’t help nodding. I want him to be here. To be a part of my life. I’ve finally got the family I’ve always wanted, and to see my brother become a man unlike my father—a person who did the right thing instead of hurting people—makes me proud to call him brother.

“Yes, we’re going to celebrate,” I announce, planting a soft kiss on my wife’s cheek.