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“That wasn’t the plan. You compromised our operation,” Stephen said between gritted teeth.
I couldn’t have cared less about the plan. Sam’s gaze darted between me and Sofia, then to his father’s face.
"Teo," he began, his voice a choked whisper. "What did you do?"
"He was going to hurt her," I spat out, my gut churning. "It was him or us."
Stephen looked at the scene, taking in the clashing emotions on all our faces. His eyes flickered to the gun in my hand, then back to Sofia.
"My God," he whispered, sinking back against the door frame. His gaze hardened as he stared at me, a thousand silent accusations in his eyes.
“I’m not sorry,” I said.
Stephen picked up his head to look at me. “I think you should probably be quiet until you speak to a lawyer,” he said.
"I don't need a lawyer," I told him. “This was justice.”
"Vigilante justice," Stephen shot back, his eyes dark and stormy. “The FBI was trying to capture him to bring down all of his associates, not just him. This was a bad guy, sure, but there is a network of people that he would’ve helped to take down.”
“You’re insane if you believe that the Viper would have helped the feds,” I said. “But if you need to book me, book me.”
Before I could respond, a chorus of voices filled the room. Grayson. Victor. Jace. Each proclaiming their involvement in my father’s death, their voices ringing with a defiance that made me proud.
“Might as well book all of us,” Grayson said. “I held him while Teo shot him.”
"I helped pin him down," Victor chimed in, standing tall and strong despite the blood smeared across his knuckles.
"And so did I," Jace admitted, his face void of fear but lined with weariness.
Stephen's eyes flicked from one to another, his jaw tightening with tension. He took a deep breath, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "Why the hell did you have to go and make this so damn difficult?" he rumbled, frustration etching deep lines in his face.
With a sigh, he looked at us all - at Sofia, still trembling in my arms, at the Blades standing united and resolute, ready to face whatever came next. But, instead of reaching for his cuffs or calling for backup, Stephen did something I never expected. He shook his head, looking directly into my eyes.
"You stupid... reckless... courageous idiots," he muttered. "He was a monster who deserved no less than what he got. But I can’t exactly write that in my report, can I?”
Stephen's gaze lingered on us for a moment longer, then slid away. He walked slowly over towards the Viper's body, his boots squelching in the pool of blood. Leaning down, he closed those once fierce eyes with a sort of finality, his face tightened in what I could only describe as relief.
"I'm not arresting anyone," he said without looking back up at us. "But I was never here. You all acted in self-defense." He paused, looking around the room. His gaze fell on the gun in my hand, and then drifted to Sofia.
"And she is under your protection," Stephen said, his voice firm as he looked at me. The others nodded in sync, determination singing loud in their silence. “This never reaches any authority out there.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Stephen’s face hardened. “I’m not doing this for you.”
Then, as if coming to a decision, Stephen turned sharply on his heel and sprinted towards the entrance, away from the bloody crime scene, leaving a trial of disbelief behind him.
“Do you think we should believe him?” Victor asked.
I nodded. “Yes. For now,” I said. “Right now, let’s get rid of the body.”
Working in silence, we moved together, carrying the weight of the Viper's lifeless form. We put him in his bedroom upstairs after Victor and Jace confirmed there was no one else in the house.
Sofia still hadn't spoken since Stephen had left. She stood off to the side, her face pale and her eyes haunted as she watched us work. Sam took my place, holding her as the rest of us worked.
I led them all out of the house and then watched it for a few seconds as Grayson went to his car to get the supplies we needed. We all watched the house silently until Grayson appeared with a gas canister and a box of matches. “Sof,” he said. “Do you want to do this?”
She hesitated for a moment. “I don’t know,” she said.
