Chapter 124: Epilogue
Third POV
Hand-Off Location—Undisclosed.
Katherine stands at the head of her contingent, her guards in full tactical gear, their presence a silent show of force. The darkness is broken only by the distant roar of approaching engines. Moments later, a convoy breaches the gloom, headlights cutting through the black like blades. The vehicles roll to a halt in perfect synchronization, four abreast, doors swinging open in unison. Armed men pour out yet they remain within the glow of their cars—making them seem even more menacing.
From the darkness, Botan emerges. He strides forward, his presence sharpened by the stark contrast of the headlights behind him. Akio lingers just behind, his silhouette a ghost at Botan’s shoulder. The light carves Botan’s frame into something almost inhuman—an omen in the night.
Katherine moves to meet him, her own men flanking her like sentinels.
Botan’s eyes are dark voids that drink in the night. "Where is she?"
"After the attack, Alden was taken into FBI custody. As for Avara and her brothers... they escaped."
Something shifts in Botan, quiet but lethal. He takes a single step forward. The motion alone is enough to send Katherine’s guards into action—rifles snap into position readily. Botan’s men respond in kind, weapons raised.
But Botan is calm. He lifts two fingers in a lazy, dismissive flick, and his men lower their weapons. Across from him, Katherine mirrors the gesture, calling her own soldiers to stand down.
"It seems the GPS tracker has been disabled," she continues, her voice measured, watching him carefully. "She’s gone. And a word of advice—if you love her as much as I know you do... then put her first. Let her go. Try to own the ocean, and all you’ll have is an empty hand."
Avara POV
"How’d you get this number?" Simon demands.