Chapter 5 - Healing in the Light
A month later, the rain had finally stopped.
The Chicago spring was in full bloom, the air fresh and sweet off the lake. In a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood on the North Side, a small, two-story house sat behind a white picket fence. It was a modest place, but it had a large backyard and security cameras disguised as decorative lanterns.
This was the new home of Evelyn, June, and Jade Carter.
The house had been purchased through a trust fund that could never be traced back to the Russo family, but the title was clear and the mortgage was paid in full. Arthur Vance had been indicted on federal human trafficking charges, and his assets had been seized, while Grant Mercer was currently awaiting trial in a maximum-security federal facility, singing to the prosecutors in a desperate bid to avoid a life sentence.
A Day of PeaceOn the back porch, Evelyn sat on a porch swing, reading a book. For the first time in years, the tension had left her shoulders. Her face was clear of bruises, her eyes bright and filled with a quiet, steady peace.
In the yard, June and Jade were running through the grass, chasing a golden retriever puppy that Nathan’s men had "dropped off" two weeks ago as a housewarming gift.
June’s yellow coat had been replaced by a bright green sweater, but her purple glasses still sat proudly on her nose. Jade was laughing, her split lip completely healed, her hand holding her sister’s as they tumbled into the grass with the puppy.
A sleek black car pulled up to the curb outside.
Nathan Russo stepped out, dressed not in his heavy winter coat or a formal suit, but in a simple dark sweater and trousers. He carried a small white pastry box from Bellini’s cafe.
As soon as the gate clicked open, June and Jade stopped their game.
“Mr. Nathan!” June yelled, her face lighting up with a brilliant, toothy smile.
She ran across the grass, her purple frames bouncing on her nose, and threw her arms around his waist. Jade was right behind her, burying her face into his side.
Nathan, the man the entire Chicago underworld feared, simply smiled and knelt down, wrapping his large arms around both of them.
“Careful,” Nathan murmured, his voice warm. “I brought the pastries. Tessa made the chocolate croissants you like.”
“Did you bring the ones with the extra powdered sugar?” Jade asked, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
“Of course I did,” he said, handing the box to her.
The New GuardianEvelyn walked down the porch steps, a soft smile on her face. “You’re spoiling them, Nathan.”
“They deserve to be spoiled,” Nathan said, standing up and greeting her with a respectful nod. “How are you holding up, Evelyn?”
“We’re sleeping through the night,” she said, her voice filled with a deep, emotional gratitude. “The girls... they don’t jump when the phone rings anymore. Jade hasn't had a nightmare in three weeks. We’re... we’re actually happy, Nathan. I didn't think we’d ever feel that way again.”
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“You’re safe now,” Nathan said, looking out over the peaceful yard. “My men will stay on the block. No one from the old days will ever find you here.”
“I know,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
