88THE MAID WAS HIDING BRUISES IN A MOB BOSS’S BATHROOM—THEN HE WALKED IN

The morning sun broke through the grey autumn clouds, casting a soft, golden light over the private walled gardens of the Ashford estate.

Harper sat on a wrought-iron bench near the central marble fountain, wearing a soft cream knit sweater and comfortable trousers provided by the household staff.

For the first time in three years, she didn't have to look over her shoulder. She didn't have to jump at the sound of a closing door. She didn't have to calculate every word that came out of her mouth to avoid triggering a violent outburst.

Near the rose bushes, Noah was playing fetch with Gabriel’s two black German Shepherds—trained war dogs named Caesar and Brutus who had surprisingly transformed into gentle giants around the little boy.

"He likes it here," a deep voice spoke from behind her.

Harper turned her head.

Gabriel walked across the stone path, wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, holding two warm porcelain mugs of tea. He handed one to her, his long fingers brushing lightly against hers as she took the cup.

"Thank you," Harper said softly, holding the warm mug in her lap.

Gabriel sat down beside her on the iron bench, resting his long legs out in front of him. "How are the ribs today?"

"Much better," she smiled faintly, looking out at her brother laughing with the dogs. "Dr. Chen gave me some salve that took away most of the burning. He says I can take the brace off in two weeks."

"Good," Gabriel noted quietly.

Harper took a slow sip of her tea, the warm chamomile soothing her throat. She looked sideways at the man sitting beside her—the sharp profile of his jaw, the faint scar running along his left collarbone, the absolute composure that seemed to radiate from every line of his body.

"Gabriel?" she asked softly.

"Hmm?"

"What happens now?" she voiced the fear that had been lingering in the back of her mind since she woke up. "I can't stay here forever. You’ve done so much for us, but... eventually, I need to get a real job, find a place for Noah, start paying you back for the medical bills..."

Gabriel turned his cold blue eyes toward her. His expression was completely unreadable.

"You owe me nothing, Harper," Gabriel said firmly. "And as for leaving... where do you plan to go?"

"I don't know," she confessed, looking down at her hands. "Maybe out of state. New York, or maybe further south. Somewhere Derek can never find us."

"Derek Lawson will not be pursuing you," Gabriel stated casually, taking a sip from his mug.

Harper froze, her head snapping up to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"This morning at nine o'clock, Internal Affairs suspended Officer Lawson from duty," Gabriel revealed, his voice completely calm. "His badge was stripped, his service weapon confiscated, and a federal indictment for bribery, extortion, and narcotics trafficking was filed with the state prosecutor."

Harper gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You... you exposed him?"

"I destroyed him," Gabriel corrected softly. "By tomorrow evening, he will be sitting in a high-security federal holding cell awaiting trial. He will face twenty to thirty years in prison."

Harper felt a sudden, overwhelming wave of emotion crash over her.

For three years, Derek had told her that he was god. That he owned the courts, owned the police, owned the streets, and owned her. He had convinced her that no matter where she ran, his badge gave him the power to drag her back in chains.

And in less than twenty-four hours, Gabriel Ashford had torn that badge away like a piece of worthless trash.

Tears welled up in her hazel eyes, spilling over her lashes and running down her cheeks. But they were not tears of fear or pain.

They were tears of profound, agonizing relief.

"Hey," Gabriel whispered gently.

He set his mug down on the stone bench and reached out, his warm, strong hand gently cupping her jaw. His thumb moved softly across her cheek, wiping away her tears with an affection that made her breath catch in her throat.

Harper didn't pull away. She leaned her face into his broad palm, feeling the rough calluses of his skin, feeling the heartbeat of a man who had become her shield against the dark.

"You're free, little bird," Gabriel murmured, his face inches from hers, his blue eyes searching her heart. "Nobody is ever going to hurt you again."

Harper looked into his eyes, her heart pounding violently against her ribs, feeling a sudden, breathtaking impulse pull her toward him.

Before she could speak, the heavy iron garden gate swung open.