Alex's pov-
The last thing I see before they haul Nolan away is that manic grin—twisted devotion fading into confusion as half a dozen officers swarm the room. One moment he's strutting, chest puffed out, and the next he's being cuffed, shoved toward bright lights and shouting.
I blink, dazed, as the flood of uniforms spills in: federal agents, tactical medics, at least two drone‐unit techs huddled over screens. More faces than I've seen in three years. More guns than I care to count.
I try to push myself up, chains rattling. My ribs scream in protest, but I don't care. Adrenaline burns through the pain. I see Adrien—pale, trembling—still clutching Ava's coat sleeve. She's on her knees beside us, tears and blood smudging her cheeks, but there's steel in her eyes I haven't seen since before… before.
An agent moves toward us. "Mr. Langford? Mr. Langford, can you hear me?"
"Yeah," I rasp, voice raw. "I'm here."
He drops to one knee and pops the lock on my cuffs. "We've got you, sir. You're safe now."
I stare at him, then at the cavern that held our nightmare. Water drips. Chains clang. Nolan's echoing laughter—now distant—still rings in my ears.
I swallow past the taste of blood. "How… how many?" I croak. "How many of you are here?"
The agent glances at his comm. "All units in perimeter, ma'am, including canine and air support. We tracked your phone signal—Bijou bracelet, right? And a beacon from your son's jacket. You sent out a full‐scale alert."
My gaze flicks to Ava, stunned. She must have triggered it from her bracelet. Always prepared. Always… too much.
I look back at the bunker's entrance where officers are securing the area. "I thought—" I begin, but the words choke off.
Adrien's shaky voice cuts through: "Dad?"
I turn to him. He hobbles closer, wincing, and I sweep him into my arms, ignoring my ribs burning. He buries his face in my chest.
"I'm here," I whisper. "I've got you."
Behind me, Ava stands, shoulders trembling but proud, watching them load me and Adrien onto stretchers. She meets my gaze for a heartbeat. Relief and love and grief all rush between us.
Then she turns to Nolan, who's being led away in cuffs, still smirking like he's in his twisted element. Fury flashes in her eyes, but she doesn't look away.
I close my eyes, holding Adrien closer. Sirens wail. The bunker's shadows recede under floodlights.
We're safe.
At last.