Chapter 13 - Gunther Put Down His Gun
Kayla agreed.
Gunther hated it.
She met Gabriel behind reinforced glass.
He looked smaller without expensive suits and armed men.
“You wanted me.”
Gabriel nodded.
“I owe you the truth.”
“You owe my family more than truth.”
“Yes.”
He admitted he had known about Eleanor's plan to kill Thomas.
He had not ordered it.
But he had allowed it.
That distinction meant nothing to Kayla.
“Why tell me now?”
“Because my son chose you over everything I gave him.”
Kayla stared.
Gabriel smiled bitterly.
“I spent my life teaching him power. You taught him choice.”
Kayla stood.
“You don't get to make me part of your redemption.”
She left.
Gunther waited outside.
He didn't ask what happened.
He simply held out his hand.
Kayla took it.
Gabriel's testimony dismantled what remained of the criminal network.
Eleanor accepted a plea that ensured she would spend decades in prison.
Anthony entered witness protection.
Victor became chief operating officer of the legitimate Woods Maritime.
Sam returned to college.
Kayla created the Thomas and Melissa Hughes Foundation for families struggling with rehabilitation expenses.
Gunther donated the first $10 million.
Kayla accused him of showing off.
He admitted it.
Months passed.
The city stopped whispering about Gunther Woods as though he were a monster behind every closed door.
He still carried scars.
Still checked exits.
Still woke at small sounds.
But he no longer slept with a gun on his nightstand.
One evening, he placed it inside a safe.
Kayla watched.
“Permanent?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Gunther closed the safe.
“Because I don't want our children finding it someday.”
Kayla froze.
“Our what?”
Gunther realized what he had said.
For once, the terrifying Gunther Woods looked nervous.
Kayla smiled.
Then an alarm sounded downstairs.
Gunther's old instincts returned instantly.
Victor ran into the hallway.
“Gunther!”
“What happened?”
Victor held up his phone.
“Someone just breached the east gate.”
Gunther looked toward the security monitor.
May you like
A black car was racing toward the house.
And the license plate belonged to Eleanor Gable.
