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“All clear,” Fearghas reported. “Bertolli and Demopoulos’s men all managed to kill each other. Either that or some ran away,” he shrugged. “Without their leaders, I’m sure they won’t be coming back.”
Dmytro smiled at Jasmine and Eli. Then he turned to Ace. “What happened to the copper scroll?”
Ace tipped his head toward the railing, overlooking the hills beyond. “I dropped it over the edge.”
Fearghas blinked. “After getting it this far?”
Ace laughed and strode to the railing, reached over and brought the backpack up by a strap. “There’s a ledge on the other side of the railing. I dropped it for effect.” His gaze went to the two men lying dead at his feet. “Dropping it served a purpose.”
“And that was?” Fearghas asked.
“Demopoulos and Bertolli were so set on each owning it that they blamed each other for allowing me to drop it over the side of a cliff. Once the first shot was fired, it was all over in minutes.” Ace’s brow dipped. “Only, I’m not sure either one of them fired that first round.” His gaze went to Jasmine.
Her eyes met his, and she smiled. “I figured once you released that bag, they’d start shooting anyway. I didn’t want them to aim at you, so I shot Demopoulos in the leg, banking on him assuming it was Bertolli. He shot Bertolli at the same time Bertolli shot him.” She hugged Eli close. “I’m glad they’re both gone. Hopefully, we won’t have to look over our shoulders anymore.”
“Mama, could that nice man hold me?” Eli asked.
Jasmine’s brow wrinkled. “Which nice man?”
Eli pointed to Ace. “That one.”
Jasmine met and held Ace’s gaze. “If he wants to hold you, yes.”
Ace opened his arms to the little boy.
Eli leaned out of his mother’s arms and into Ace’s. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Ace asked.
“For helping Mama find me.”
Jasmine smiled. “You’re a natural with children.”
“I could get used to this,” Ace said. “He’s a great little guy.”
“You think so?” Jasmine said, her eyes welling again with tears.
“Yup.” Ace glanced down at the little boy’s face. “Do you think he’d let me marry his mama? How about it, Eli—can I marry your mama?”
Eli smiled. “Would you be my daddy?”
Ace smiled. “Yes. If you want me to be.”
The boy smiled and wrapped his arms around Ace’s neck. “I always wanted a daddy.”
More tears spilled down Jasmine’s cheeks. “He’s a miniature version of you, Ace.”
“He could be. He has brown hair and brown eyes like me.” He grinned at Eli.
“Eli, tell the nice man how old you are,” Jasmine said.
Eli held up three fingers.
“Eli is three years and three months old,” Jasmine said.
Ace smiled at Eli. “You’re a big guy.”
Fearghas snorted. “How long has it been since you and Jasmine were together last?”
