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Ty goes all in and tells them where the backup hard drives and physical transcripts are hidden. Within hours, the giant crate that Cyril had buried in the basement of the building, where their old apartment used to be, is getting opened on the floor.
Everything is there, including an interview with Cynthia. Cyril has made a comment at the end of the recording to test his theory his phone is tapped. To confirm his suspicions, he would tell Ty that he is yet to meet her. In reality, he’s been to see her many times, and the story she has told him leaves everyone at the table listening to the recordings, sick.
Ty can’t help but shed a tear, feeling overwhelmed at the sound of Cyril’s voice.
In further recordings, Cyril discloses that Harris Kelly has approached him several times, through his goons, threatening him, his brother, Rian, and Ty. If he were to continue his “unhealthy” obsession with Sebastian Scott, the consequences would be catastrophic. Cyril refuses and in the ominous recording, he says his goodbyes, in case Harris made good on his threats.
“Ty, I know you will bring this fucker to justice if anything ever happens to me. I believe in you, brother! I want you to promise me that you won’t waste your time. Don’t make Rian wait. Don’t let that love slip through your fingers, my friend. Don’t hesitate like I did. I, of all people, should have known better than to let Sebastian face that monster alone. I will never forgive myself for failing to protect him. Please tell Rian I love him. I love you, brother.”
The silence drags for long moments as they are all coming to grips with what Cyril’s recordings reveal. There are written and signed testimonies, files of previous victims, surveillance notes, and photographs.
Long hours go by as Ty adds his own testimony and recollections of the things he has uncovered. At first, it’s hard to place all the details and connect the dots. Once they get going and start building the chronological order of events, using giant white boards they have dragged from somewhere in the conference room, his memory becomes clear, and he actively works with Sullivan’s team, helping them build their case against Harris Kelly.
Ty is sure they are nowhere nearly done when Sullivan gets a phone call. He jumps up, giving Ty a startled look.
“Why the fuck didn’t you call me earlier? Shit! He’s on his way,” he barks before he ends the call.
Ty is already on his feet. “Rian?”
“They’re safe, but you’re done here for tonight.” He walks him to the elevators but halts, not following Ty inside. He pulls a phone out of his pocket and hands it over to Tayida. “There’s a car waiting for you downstairs to take you to Rian.”
Ty reaches for the phone and tucks it into his pocket, right as the elevator doors part open in front of them. He walks in. Sullivan holds the doors after him. “Don’t run, Ty. You never have to run again. I swear to you we got him.”
Ty gives him a grave look. “What if––”
“If…” Sullivan cuts him off. “I’ll kill him myself.”
His words hang heavy in the air as Sullivan steps back and the elevator doors close. Despite everything that has transpired between them, Ty knows he can trust this promise.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Rian, Ri, Ree-ahn
31STOCTOBER 2022
Harris barely speaks to Rian or makes any attempts to come closer to his husband as Bran is always in his arms. The little boy screams bloody murder any time he is near. Rian notes that the driver who is taking them back to their cursed home is someone he has never met before. Lincoln is nowhere to be seen and that brings him a small relief.
Harris opens the door for him when they reach their residence. Rian hesitates for a moment, glancing at the man on the front seat who promptly looks away. This shitshow isn’t his problem. Rian steps out of the vehicle, but he is cautious to follow Harris. His former residence looks more like a trap than a home, with every passing moment.
He can’t do this to himself again. He can’t do this to Bran.
Rian falters. Deep inside, he knows Tayida would support him if he changes his mind and refuses to cooperate. The time spent with his lover has done a complete overwrite on all of his reasoning. He is now positively certain there isn’t a sane person in the entire world who would judge him for being afraid of Harris, or for being concerned for Bran’s safety.
Harris is glaring at him from a few feet away. “Come inside, darling,” he hisses.
Rian takes a step back, feeling the gravel dig into the soles of his cheap tennis shoes.
Harris doesn’t make a move to follow him but turns to the house and starts walking to the door. Rian is watching him as he stands at the entrance of their mansion, seemingly talking to someone.
Moments later, Rian can see Margarita and Lincoln standing side by side. Her face is tear-stained and blotchy, her lips swollen, and Lincoln is standing behind her, one hand firmly clasping her shoulder.
It isn’t a matter of making a choice,Rian thinks to himself as his feet take reluctant steps, carrying him back to the nightmare he can’t seem to escape. Margarita sobs as he starts climbing up the steps, and Lincoln drags her back inside the house.
Rian looks over his shoulder one last time, but the whole street is empty, almost deserted. The neighborhood seems eerily quiet.
“Today, Rian,” Harris calls from deeper in the foyer, fully confident that Rian won’t abandon Margarita to her fate. And he is right. Rian would never do that. But fuck him if he thinks Rian won’t find a way to get them out of there.
He steps into the entryway and firmly closes the door behind them.
