Chapter 14: The Final Letter

EMILIA POV

My hands trembled as I opened the final envelope.

Unlike the other documents, this wasn't an official report.

It was a handwritten letter.

I recognized the handwriting immediately.

My father's.

"My beautiful Emilia,

If you've opened this letter, then the truth about your birth has finally come out.

I'm sorry I couldn't tell you myself.

Not because I didn't trust you, but because I wanted you to have something I never did.

A normal childhood.

Your biological father was Damian Kane.

He and I were once brothers in everything except blood.

Together we built clubs that were meant to protect people.

But power changed him, and when war consumed his life, innocent people paid the price.

After his death, Victor swore he would reclaim you one day.

I couldn't allow that.

So I raised you as my own daughter.

Never believe that blood decides who your family is.

Family is the people who choose to love you every single day.

From the moment I held you in my arms, you became my daughter.

Nothing will ever change that.

As for Axel...

Don't blame him.

Everything he did was because I asked him to protect you.

That boy has loved you longer than either of you realize.

If life ever gives the two of you another chance, don't waste it.

I've already made enough mistakes for all of us.

I love you forever.

Dad."

My tears finally fell onto the paper.

For the first time since returning home, I finally understood every sacrifice Vincent Romano had made for me.

He had never been my biological father.

But he had always been my real father.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Em?"

Mama C stepped inside.

"Marco told me everything. How are you holding up?"

"I don't know," I admitted.

"Everything I believed about my past has changed."

Mama C smiled sadly.

"Only one thing matters."

"Vincent loved you."

"That's the only truth you'll ever need."

I slowly nodded.

"And Ghost?" I asked.

Mama C smiled knowingly.

"That stubborn fool has blamed himself every single day for leaving you."

"He believed walking away was the only way to protect you."

"Maybe he was wrong, but he never stopped loving you."

After Mama C left, I found Ghost inside the garage.

He was working on an old Harley, but he wasn't really paying attention to it.

"Axel."

He looked up immediately.

"I read Dad's letter."

He quietly placed his wrench on the workbench.

"Then you know everything."

"Almost."

"There's only one thing I still need."

He stepped closer.

"What is it?"

"No more secrets."

"No more lies."

"No more disappearing."

"Whatever happens next, we face it together."

Ghost looked into my eyes.

For the first time in years, there was no fear in his expression.

Only honesty.

"You have my word," he said.

"I'll never leave you again."

I reached for his hand.

He held it tightly.

Neither of us needed another promise.

Our actions would prove everything.

Suddenly, the clubhouse alarm echoed through the building.

"Emergency meeting!"

"All officers report to the main hall immediately!"

Ghost and I exchanged a glance before running downstairs.

Inside the meeting room, Marco stood beside a large map covered with fresh reconnaissance reports.

"Trevor's phone finally gave us something useful," Marco announced.

"Our tech team recovered encrypted locations used by Victor Kane."

"We now know where his men are gathering."

Ghost studied the map carefully.

"Black Canyon."

Marco nodded.

"Exactly."

"Our scouts confirmed the Black Wolves and the Reapers are building their forces there."

"They'll move within the next forty-eight hours."

Ghost folded his arms.

"Then this is our only chance to prepare."

Marco looked around the room.

"Starting tonight, the Iron Serpents are on full lockdown."

"Every road leading into Desert Ridge will be guarded."

"Every family will be moved to safe locations."

"This won't be another small fight."

"This will be a war."

Silence filled the room.

Ghost looked at me for a brief second.

No words were needed.

Whatever came next...

We would face it together.