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I cracked a smile, happy for a piece of good news, however small. Just like Valery said, she took me to Dr. Kalvin’s office for the tests he mentioned earlier. After that, we headed to the casino, where I handled all the final details. I’d been preparing for this moment for months. No matter what anyone thought, I honestly had no intention of running from my fate. I wasn’t afraid to die, and I wasn’t going to run to escape it.

“Here, this is for you. Open it,” I said, putting an envelope in Valery’s hands.

She looked at me, suspicious, then opened it. As her eyes ran over the document I’d signed, she looked stunned.

“No. I can’t. I won’t accept this,” she said, handing it back.

I grabbed her hands, holding the papers against her palms.

“Please, take it. You’re like a sister to me. You’ve been by my side as far back as I can remember. You were there for me when I was born, when my mother died, you did everything you could to give me love. You deserve this casino, Valery. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving it to Konflict, and he doesn’t even need it. But you, you’ve been with my family since you were little. Your parents served the Veylor’s and died in the last massacre. I’d never forgive myself if I left you with nothing. You’re the only one I trust to run this place. Please, take it,” my voice shook, raw with emotion.

She let the envelope fall and pulled me into her arms. It was the first time I’d seen her break down like this, but I got it. I was a mess too, crying in her arms.

“Fuck, Serenity. You can’t do this to me. You can’t just leave and hand me the casino you bled for. I can’t take it,” she sobbed.

“You can. Take it for me. Take it for your father and mother, for all the years they gave my monster of a father. The Veylor legacy belongs to you now. You earned it.”

“I don’t give a fuck about a legacy. I don’t want it if it means losing you.”

She pulled back, tears streaking both our cheeks, but her eyes burned with determination as she moved straight into trying to save me.

“You have to run. We can run. I’ll make sure Konflict never finds us. We could leave right now. I have people who could get us out, we’ll disappear—”

“Valery,” I cut her off. “I don’t want to run.”

“Fuck, Serenity. You can’t do this. You can’t just quit on life. If you won’t fight for yourself, fight for me. Fight for us,” she said, pressing her hand to her stomach.

My eyes went wide. Was that what I thought it was?

“Oh my god, Valery. Are you… are you pregnant?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I just found out. I want you to be the godmother. So you can’t leave. You have to be here. You have to be godmother to my child.”

My throat clenched with pain, Kate Korven’s words echoing in my mind. She told me to hold on, for two people. They wouldn’t survive without me. Now I understood. But I couldn’t do it. What kind of life would Valery give her baby if she ran with me? If she left with me, Konflict would kill her too. I would never let anything happen to her or the baby.

“Listen to me, Val. You’re the strongest, smartest person I know. I know you’ve already run through the situation in yourhead, and you know you can’t disappear with me. You have a future to give this child. As godmother, I’m leaving you what you’ll need to protect that future. Take the casino, for my godchild. Let me live through those walls. Please, let me go so I know nothing will ever happen to you or your baby.”

She broke down again, holding me tight.

“If you change your mind, if you want to live, everything’s already ready for you. I’ll leave an envelope in your room with everything you need to get out. I hope you take it. Even at the last minute, Serenity, before Konflict comes for you at the estate. If you feel even a spark to keep living, promise me you’ll take it and run.Promiseme.”

“I promise,” I whispered.

It took us a long time to let go.

For the rest of the day, I spent time speaking to every single member of my staff, even sharing a few warm words with Kalash—a first, since he’d always just been his boss’s eyes in the casino. I made sure to talk to everyone at the Korven estate, too. And before dark, I visited Kate Korven’s grave one last time.

“I know you told me not to come join you too soon, but I can’t stay. I’ve done everything I can to protect the two people you said needed me. They’ll be safe, even after I’m gone.”

The wind picked up, the leaves rustling, as my throat tightened with what I had to say.

“I’m sorry your greatest wish didn’t come true. I couldn’t make him love me. Please, don’t blame him if he decides I need to join you. He loves you with everything he has, just like I love you. Losing you broke him so badly, he wants to bury everyone connected to the one responsible for this mess. My pain is just as heavy. I can’t keep living in a world where you’re gone and the man I love hates me more than anything.”

Tears ran down my face and I felt ready, resigned to what was coming, ready to join the rest of my family. But first, I had onelast thing to do.

When night fell, I went to the place Valery had chosen and told Vixen to send Knox. I knew I wouldn’t have much time with him, but I needed him one last time. I wanted his body against mine, his hands, his mouth, his dick inside me. I wanted him so badly I was scared I’d never be able to let go after I marked him on my skin one final time.

My nerves had me pacing the room back and forth, waiting for Knox to arrive. I didn’t even know if he would come. Vixen hadn’t confirmed if he was okay with the change of location. It was Valery’s idea to meet here instead of our usual spot since it would be easier for him to leave the city afterward. Everything was set for his escape. But as time ticked by, my anxiety only grew. What if Konflict had him followed? What if he planned to catch him, to kill him? What if he already had Knox somewhere, hurting him right now? God, please, let him be safe. He once told me if I didn’t show up at Vixen’s, he’d go straight to the Korven estate. God, I hoped he hadn’t been stupid enough to do that yesterday while I was unconscious.