Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“I saw one of the cartel members trying to make a run for it. I couldn’t let him escape,” Zoe explained before looking up at me. “When he attacked me, Cohen saved me and took him down.”
The admiration in her voice made me smile, my adrenaline continuing to race as I took in the situation. We were victorious.
“Hell yeah.” Matty laughed as he hugged us both. “We made the cartel our bitch!”
Paolo shook his head in amusement while the others chuckled. Everyone looked exhausted but thrilled as we gathered together, watching all of the cartel members in dripping clothes being hauled away.
After giving their statements, Jae, Kieran, Kit, and Angus made their way over to us, hugging Zoe and bumping their fists against ours. Now that we were truly all in a group, the energy was undeniable. We were a family.
We fought together. Worked together. Experienced all sorts of things together.
“Your mom would be proud,” Paolo told Zoe.
Zoe gave him a grateful look.
“I want to say that I’m proud of all you,” she expressed as her eyes shifted to every single one of us. She remained tight against my side, her free hand holding Kit’s as he stood close to her other side. “You’re some of the bravest people that I know, and I wouldn’t have been able to finish this case without you.”
“We couldn’t have done it without you too,” Garrett pointed out as he crossed his arms. “I think we all needed each other.”
No one had ever spoken truer words.
Jae nudged Angus and Tobin.
“We were meant to be a team,” he insisted with a grin.
Pride swelled in my chest as I watched everyone smile at each other and nod. Some of us were new to the crew, and others had been around for years. The timing didn’t matter, though. We were family regardless.
“So, what happens now?” Kieran asked.
Zoe took a deep breath.
“I have a story to write,” she told us, excitement sparking in her eyes. “The best story I’ve ever written.”
“We can’t wait to read it,” I said as I rubbed her upper arm, sharing a warm expression with her.
But every story came to an end. Was this the end of ours?
Chapter 29
Zoe
“Give it up for our brave first responders!”
Applause and cheers filled Joliet Park as the town’s thank-you celebration officially kicked off. Local vendors with tents and stands bordered the outskirts of the park, while a local live band gave the people something to dance to. I hadn’t seen the town this lively and connected in years. Maybe ever!
“You did amazing too, honey.”
I turned and smiled at my dad as we stood off to the side of the crowd in front of the stage.
“Thank you,” I said with pure gratitude in my eyes. “I wanted to make Mom proud.”
“She was proud of you every single day,” my dad promised me before enveloping me in a hug. “And I am too.”
The relief I felt as I leaned into his arms almost brought me to tears. Being able to talk about her with him felt like a proof of healing itself.
“Enjoy yourself, okay? This celebration is for you too,” my dad reminded me once we broke apart. He cupped my cheek, giving me a warm smile that made my eyes sting.
“I’ll see you sometime this week. There are just a few things I need to wrap up first,” I told him.
“You know where to find me, and you’re always welcome there,” my dad replied before we parted ways.
I turned back to the stage to watch the crew drink in all the praise as the crowd continued to shout and clap to show their support for each one of them. My heart fluttered as the crew waved and grinned. It didn’t feel like I was on the outside of the crowd.
It felt like I was one with the community as we all celebrated this grand triumph.
“Zoe!”
I spun around and smiled in surprise at the sight of Ann as she wandered over to me with her arms outstretched. I accepted a warm hug from her.
“It’s good to see you,” I greeted her.
Most people in town truly were here.
“It’s good to see you! I read your story.” Ann gasped as she placed her hands on my upper arms. “Your mom would be so proud. The service that you did this town… it’s amazing. People don’t have to be so afraid anymore!”
My article went live this morning, detailing the terror that the cartel imposed on this town and many others and honoring the bravery of the firefighters who fought with them for years before finally taking them down. It was a long, hard journey, but look at where we were now.
“It feels like a totally different town today,” I observed as I glanced around at everyone as they laughed and celebrated. It was like a dark fog had lifted.