Undercover: Book 4 — Chapter 28: Epilogue

I stood outside the large doors and took a deep breath. Two men from the hotel waited to open the door as I stood there nervously.

“Claire, you’ve been fine all day. Don’t get cold feet now,” Nathan said.

I smiled at him.

“I know, I know. I’m ready,” I said before taking another deep breath. The oxygen was really starting to feel low in here.

“Uh, you guys can open the doors now,” Nathan said when they had made no movement. The two guys shared a look, one I didn’t understand.

“What? What’s wrong?” I demanded, already feeling my heart beating faster from the anxiety.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but I think you may want to wait a minute longer. The groom isn’t ready yet,” one told me and I felt myself freeze.

“What do you mean? Is he not ready or is he not there?” I asked.

He gave his friend a hesitant look.

It doesn’t take long to throw on a tux and put some gel in your hair.

“He’s uh, not there yet. I’m sure he’s just running late, though,” he ensured.

I gave my bouquet to Nathan. I lifted up the ends of my dress and walked over peeking through the little glass window. All of our friends and family were there and everyone was in their places except there was no Caiden. The empty spot and the front of the room only meant one thing.

“Ten years,” I whispered.

“What?” Nathan asked, looking confused.

I stood there trying not to cry. I backed up from the window and sat down in a chair across from the doors. It was next to a brown table that held a vase with the flowers we chose, daisies. They weren’t your typical flowers for a wedding, but they meant something to both of us. They held memories.

“A daisy represents innocence, purity, and your childhood.”

I placed my hand on my chest as I felt it clench at the memories that flooded through my brain.

“Ten years together and he left me on the day of our wedding. I waited and waited for him. Hell, we have a baby boy who is sitting in the arms of my mother and he left not only me but him,” I said, putting my hands so they were crowning my face. “This was so so stupid,” I said shaking my head.

“Claire, he has to be coming. He has to. He loves you more than anything. Anyone can see it. I mean you put emotion into the guy. He use to be as dead as a brick,” Nathan said.

I shook my head.

“We all knew from the start it wasn’t going to work,” I said.

He shook his head.

“I’m going to find him right now. I’ll prove it to you,” Nathan said, setting the flowers on the table.

“Nate, just let it be. He’s gone.”

“Who is?” a familiar voice asked from my right.

I looked up to see the devil himself.

“You son of a—” Nathan said.

“Nathan, can you give us a minute. Can you all just give a minute?” I asked, looking at the two guys too. They all walked away, most likely just standing around the corner.

I stood up and face my supposed to be fiancé – almost husband.

“What are you doing? If you don’t want to go through with this anymore, that’s fine. Just do me a favor for both me and your son and just—“ I was cut off when he pressed his lips to mine. He pulled back and looked at me directly in my eyes and grabbed my hands.

“Do you love me?” he interrupted.

I stared at him confused.

“Do you, Claire Martez, really love me?” he repeated.

I stared at him appalled that he would even ask that question right now.

“Of course. I wouldn’t be standing here dressed like a fucking princess if I didn’t,” I said gesturing to my face and my dress.

“Thank you," Caiden said.

I stared at him confused.

“What?”

“I–I jus—”

He stumbled over his words again before stopping and taking a deep breath. “Just thank you.”

I stared at him as he dropped my hands and walked away. He walked right through the tall brown doors, shutting them directly behind him. I stared at the doors in shock before the two men came back with Nathan following.

“He’s ready,” one said smiling.

I still stared in their direction in confusion.

“Close your mouth before you catch flies, Claire-bear,” Nathan said, smiling as he handed me my bouquet of flowers back.

“I don’t understand,” I said, shaking my head.

“It’s the Caiden Anderson. Of course, you don’t understand,” a voice said now from my left.

I looked over and saw the one and only Jesse Farone standing there.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed. “I told you to not bother me again. Riley is right inside, and she won’t hesitate to take your ass to prison.”

“I know, why else do you think I chose now to show up? I just wanted to see you before I turn myself in and get locked up for rest of my life,” Jesse told me and I felt my heart clench. Even though he put us all through so much part of me felt bad for him. He really had no one. I wasn’t sure where he’d been staying his past year, but it must have been a decent hiding spot since no one had found him.

“Maybe I’ll come and visit someday,” I said, placing my arms in my father’s just as I heard the music start up, causing everyone to stop chatting inside.

“Someday,” he repeated, giving me a sad smile.

I nodded standing up taller.

“Goodbye, Jesse,” I said before turning straight. I watched as Mia walked down the aisle with Nick and as Clover walked down with Andrew and Riley with Joey and finally Nathan squeezed in just before his turn and went down the aisle with Elena. A smile slid onto my lips as I nodded at the guys when the music started.

“Goodbye, Claire.”

The doors opened and everyone stood up. I saw my mom’s eyes fill with tears as she stood there holding my baby boy in her arms.

Don’t trip.

I couldn’t help the laugh that almost escaped.

Thanks, friend.

I finally looked at the handsome man I would soon call my husband. He stared at me with a look I’ve surprisingly never seen before. It was filled with complete love and adoration with a little thing extra, hope. I didn’t realize I had already stopped as my father handed me off and my bouquet was out of my hands until I heard the man start talking.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Claire Martez and Caiden Anderson in matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore—”

I listened to each word carefully. My blue eyes never left the hazel ones right in front of me. Even when we poured the unity sand I still brought my eyes right back to his directly after.

The hope in Caiden’s eyes is what kept me breathing. He believes in a future with me. He had hope that we would last and he wasn’t running. No, he was making a commitment.

“—Just two people working out what they want, what they believe, what they hope for each other. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, ‘You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.’

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment, you have been many things to one another – a boy, a girl, an acquaintance, a friend, companion, lover, and even a teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few year.

You have learned that good company and friendship count for more than wealth, good looks or position. And you’ve learned that marriage is a maze into which we wander – a maze that is best with a great companion. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you.

For after these vows you shall say to the world, Caiden is my husband, Claire is my wife.”

Caiden stared at me as I was given permission to start my vows. It wasn’t the most traditional order, but I was the most emotional one. I mean I cried in almost every episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Caiden didn’t look even a little bit nervous as he stared down at me with a dimpled smile. Amusement was still twinkling in his eyes from the introduction to the vows.

Taking a deep breath I began, “Caiden Anderson, a cliche bad boy, a total player, and a cocky asshole,” I said loudly watching the smirk appear on his face. “Pardon me, but this man has been with more woman than the number in this state,” I said, looking at our friends and family. Some looked stuck between awe and disappointment, but our friends standing by our sides were grinning like madmen knowing exactly how true my words are.

I took another deep breath before looking back at my husband to be, ready to start again. “Caiden Anderson, a real human being that has feelings and emotions like the rest of us.” I paused when I caught the emotion that flickered in his eyes.

“Today, I stand here with my hands joined with his. My blue eyes locked with his hazel ones, and we both share smiles on our faces, and it just makes me think to myself, how did we get here?

You are the man that told me you don’t do girlfriends, you won’t ever marry me, yet we dated for nine years, and now we’re here standing in an altar getting married. It’s almost unbelievable, a dream maybe, but then I look into your eyes again, and I remember how we really did get here. You gave yourself a part of me every time you opened yourself up to me. You saw a therapist for me, you held me as I cried so so many times. You looked at and after me as if I was already your wife, which is why I didn’t hesitate to say yes when you asked.

Caiden Anderson, I thank you for giving me our beautiful son, and I thank you for agreeing to stand here in front of all of our friends, family, and co-workers and become my husband. I love you,” I said honestly. He stared at me for a moment before pressing his lips against mine before a throat was cleared.

“Not yet,” John, the officiant whispered, and Caiden only smirked at me. I guess he was never the rule follower. Caiden was next and he looked confident as he let out a small breath, preparing himself.

“Claire, I hated you,” Caiden started off loud and clearly. Some appalled gasps and whispers went throughout the room, but he still continued. “You were a boy, my roommate, my best friend’s girlfriend, and my enemy, yet somehow through all of that we still find ourselves standing here today, ten years later with our hands joined, our eyes locked, and our smiles wide. We’ve lived together through the end of your college years to now and we have fought more times than I could ever count. I’ve found myself almost walking out on you out of fear of commitment many times. We’ve almost lost each other by death, and we’ve been through hell and back, yet once again we find ourselves standing here, hands joined, eyes locked, smiles wide.

When we stand here we don’t just promise to stay together. No, forget promises. We show that we don’t just love each other. We show that we need each other. I can’t live in a world where Claire Martez, no, Claire Anderson doesn’t breathe the same air as I.

I stand here today to share vows that tell how much I love you with everyone in this room, yet I look at you and can’t find myself to do that. Claire, you already know that I love you more than I love myself, but what you don’t know is when that love first started.” He paused and wiped the few tears that fell from my eyes with his thumb. He smiled and grabbed my hands once again.

“I fell in love with you when you stood there and hugged me in the park. When you spoke to me as a friend and not someone you pity. I called you horrible things, yet you still tried to only help me and accept me. On that Halloween, you stayed with me and let me cry to you without any judgment. At my apartment, you listened to me talk to you about part of my past. It all added up, but Halloween was it. I knew from the moment you hugged me that I was screwed. I fell in love with you from the second you started talking to me that day, which is why as we stand here today, hands joined, eyes locked, and smiles on our faces. I can’t help but look forward to continuing our journey and spending the rest of our days together with our son by our sides.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears that fell. Caiden smiled and wiped my tears once again. Thank goodness for waterproof makeup. “I love you,” he whispered in my ear, and I bit my lip to hold back a sob. My vows didn’t even compare to his, and by the look in his eyes, he truly meant every single word.

After getting handed the rings from Nick who, of course, sent me a wink, we slid them on each other’s fingers before looking into each other’s eyes again as the officiant talked about what these symbolize before we started to repeat the words he said. Caiden smiled at me as he knew what came next, and I returned it.

“Claire Martez and Caiden Anderson, you have professed your love by exchanging your vows. You have symbolized your commitment by exchanging rings. And you have expressed the end of your individual lives by the pouring of the unity sand. With all of this, there is just one more question I need each of you to answer and then we’re off to the reception to celebrate.”

I smiled at him before looking back at Caiden.

“Claire Martez – do you take Caiden Anderson to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

I smiled my eyes still filled with tears, “I do.”

“Caiden Anderson – do you take Claire Martez to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

I held my breath as I waited patiently for his answer. “I do.”

The officiant John smiled at us, but Caiden didn’t wait for him to continue as he pressed his lips on mine fiercely. He placed his hand on my back like in the movies and brought me back.

“By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Caiden, as you have already done you may now kiss your bride,” he said smiling.

Caiden pulled us up a few seconds later, keeping his hand on the bottom of my back. “It’s my great honor and privilege to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Caiden Anderson,” Joe announced.

Everyone stood up clapping. I looked at Caiden who was already looking down at me.

“Damn, I really like the sound of that,” he whispered in my ear before nuzzling my neck with his nose.

“Hey, you should have warned me your vows were going to be so freaking emotional,” I said, lightly slapping his chest as everyone started leaving the room and heading towards the reception.

“That came from the heart just for you, baby doll,” he said.

I couldn’t help but shake my head still smiling. I pressed my lips directly against his, ignoring the flashes from the cameras. I pulled away just in time to see my mom walked over.

“Claire Anderson,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes with her free hand. “You’ll still always have that Martez charm,” she told me.

I smiled before taking our baby from her.

“I know, Mom. I know,” I said before looking down at our baby boy dressed in a little tuxedo.

“Hi, Elijah,” I said in a high-pitched voice. He opened his eyes and just stared back at me with his blue eyes. “Mommy and Daddy got married. One day you’ll be here too with the love of your life,” I said before pressing a kiss on his cheek.

“I’ll take him home with me in about an hour or two,” my mom said smiling at me, the wrinkles clear on her face.

“Thank you in advance for agreeing to look after him during our honeymoon,” I said.

She nodded.

“It’s been far too long since I’ve had a little one in the house,” she said before giving me a sad smile.

“I’m so proud of you, Claire,” my dad said.

I smiled.

“I know, Dad.”

“Take care of my daughter, Caiden,” my mom said with narrowed eyes, and he only smiled at her before looking down at me again.

“I can’t imagine spending my life doing anything else.”

After getting a few family pictures, I decided it was time to get changed into dancing clothes. I headed into the room and opened the bag that held my dress. I put on the white and gold dress with sparkly high heels.

Those aren’t dancing shoes.

I smiled. I know, but I still have to look nice.

I looked in the mirror and smiled at the glow that surrounded me. I was beautiful, I was happy, I was free, and I have to admit, I was happy as hell to be skinny again. I walked out of the room and into the reception area where I was immediately greeted by friends and family congratulating me.

“You know I must say yours and Caiden’s vows were actually adorable,” Riley said honestly.

“Awe thanks!” I said, embracing her before pulling away. “I can’t believe you’re going back to London again tomorrow,” I said sadly.

She frowned as well, pushing away a stray piece of her natural brown hair out of her face. “Yeah, my agency needs me. Those few months away was hard on them. They started to fall behind in training and all that,” she said. I nodded, knowing they needed her.

“I’ll come visit,” I promised.

“You don’t really have a choice. It’s my turn for the wedding next month, and this time I get to dress you up in some puffy dress,” she said. I snorted.

“Yeah right. You probably went with the long, silk-like dresses,” I said.

She shrugged, taking a sip of her wine.

“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.” She winked and I laughed lightly, loving the carefree atmosphere in the air.

“There’s my beautiful wife,” Caiden whispered from behind me in my ear, his hand wrapping around my waist. I looked back and up at him and smiled.

“I love you,” I whispered, pecking his lips.

He smirked.

“I know,” he said, biting at my ear before pulling away. “You’ll love me even more later.”

I smacked his chest and shook my head. “You know most old men don’t flirt as much as you,” I said.

He pouted.

“Yeah, but I’m not old. I can show you if you need a reminder,” he teased.

I held back a smile.

“Awe, look at the cute couple. Seeing a manwhore as always still,” Mia joked.

“I have to get more kids out of her somehow,” he said.

My eyes widened.

“Nick, what on Earth did you give him?” I asked as Nick walked over, joining us.

“Just a shot or two,” he responded with a smirk.

“You’re lucky I handle my liquor well because that boy gave me more than a few shots,” Caiden said.

I scrunched up my nose.

“Uh-huh,” I said lightly, patting his cheek.

“You look stunning by the way,” Nick complimented.

I thanked him.

“Girl, you make me want to get married again,” Clover said, walking over with a drink in her hand and with Andrew trailing behind her.

“Can we dance now?” Mia asked, handing me a drink.

I shrugged. “Um, hell yeah,” I said, throwing my arms up in the air as I swayed my hips side to side as we walked over to where people were dancing. Everyone else soon joined and it didn’t take long for us all to be singing along to the songs and dancing together.

About an hour into the reception all the big events were about done, including the sharing of the cake and the father-daughter dance. All I had to do was throw the bouquet and then I’d be done and ready to get completely wasted.

“Wait, wait, wait,” I said suddenly, about to turn around, but Mia stopped me.

“Hoe, you have five seconds to throw the damn flowers before I do,” she yelled. I threw the flowers behind me. I quickly turned to see who caught them and smiled when I saw it was Elena. She went to walk over for a picture with me, but West bumped into her, and I swear I saw the sparks between them immediately.

“Don’t do it,” Caiden said.

I looked up at him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

He gave me a knowing look.

“You’re going to try to set them up,” he said.

“Maybe I don’t need to,” I said looking at the two who were easily hitting it off.

“We’ll take those pictures later,” I told the photographer before Caiden and I headed over to bar.

“You’re happy,” I said smiling. He held my face with his hands, the largeness covering my cheeks. I thought back to the first time I met Caiden and grinned even larger.

Sliding my key card I opened the door and headed in, the sight that greeted me wasn’t too pleasant.

“Baby!” the girl moaned, making me quickly turn around.

“Sorry!” I said, closing my eyes trying to block out the image of the naked girl. The sound of someone hitting their head and yelling a ‘hey’ made me almost open my eyes. Almost.

“Who are you?” the guy asked, making me open my eyes. I realized he was still wearing no clothes, and I made sure to keep my eyes from wandering while he just stood there with his arms crossed in all of his naked glory. Great, my roommate is freaking hot as hell and is a sex god, I thought as I took in his features. He had hazel eyes and dirty blonde hair that almost looked brown.

“Jason Lockwood, I’m your new roommate,” I told him, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck awkwardly.

“Baby, I thought you said you didn’t have a roommate,” The girl said.

I noticed she was now only wearing a long guys t-shirt, which I was guessing was his.

“Why are you wearing my shirt?” the guy said coldly, also glaring at her and the girl frowned. “And I said I usually don’t get one and when I do the guy always ends up switching rooms.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled and started taking it off. I removed my eyes from the girl as she slid on her own clothes and left the rom. I heard a door closing and knew that was the signal the girl was gone.

“I thought this was an all boys university...” I said, trailing off awkwardly.

“It is and you won’t tell anyone about my little guest or else we’ll have a problem,” he told me while sliding up his jeans.

“Yeah, I won’t tell, my lips are sealed,” I told him, pretending to lock my lips and throw out the key.

“Great, I have a loser as a roommate,” he said, not bothering to hide what he thinks if me. “The name is Caiden Anderson. Stay out of my way and we’ll be fine.”

I saw the look of pure happiness on his face that was much different to the hatred that used to lay there. I decided to repeat the statement, “You’re happy.” He raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Yes, just as happy as you if not more,” he commented back. I hugged hug him tightly before pulling back a little and looking into his eyes that always stole my attention.

“We’re happy,” I said softly.

Caiden pressed a long, lingering kiss on my lips. “We’re happy together.”

***

Clover’s Point of View (Long Beach, 48 hours after the wedding)

We walked into our house and I felt my eyes tear up as my kids came running into my arms. I squeezed them both tightly, as did Andrew, being careful not to hurt them.

“I love you both so so much,” I said, squeezing them one more time before letting them go.

“We love you too,” they said in sync, making me smile. I stood up and rushed over to Tori who was standing in the doorway watching the scene play out.

“Thank you so much,” I said softly.

She nodded.

“Hey, it’s cool. I’m glad everything is all worked out now. I can’t believe someone stole all of your money in the first place,” she said, shaking her head.

I shared a look with Andrew before nodding.

“Yeah, apparently our bank account was messed up because all the money was there, it just wasn’t showing right,” I said, not lying. When I confronted Riley about the money situation she told me that she checked it all out and it was still in my account all this time. Whatever Taylor did was a ploy for Jesse all along and was a way to keep us from leaving Seattle.

“That’s crazy,” she said.

I agreed.

“How about later we go out for drinks and catch up?” I suggested.

She agreed.

“See you at seven?” Tori asked, grabbing her purse and car keys.

“At seven,” I repeated with a nod before saying our goodbyes.

“It’s weird to be home,” Andrew said, looking around the large house that was much bigger than the size we became familiar with at Claire and Caiden’s.

“Yeah, I almost feel out of place,” I said honestly as I looked around the place I have forever called home.

“I missed it,” Andrew said.

I looked at him, pressing my lips against his cheek. I remembered the first time I met him and almost couldn’t believe how much he’s changed. His brown hair was now short instead of floppy and his once raggedy leather jacked was replaced with nice suits. I smiled at the memory of first meeting him.

Andrew seemed to notice my presence and smirked, turning his chair around, so the back was facing me. He sat on it and rested his arms on the top of the chair. “Heya, boys. Look what we have here, Stacey’s new conquest of the week is here,” Andrew said. I didn’t hold back the roll of my eyes. “You’re the so-called freak that messed with her this morning, right?”

I unnoticeably gulped. Okay, so I really didn’t want to be beaten to a pulp by this so-called delinquent, Andrew Carter. “Awe, babes, did Stace cut off your tongue too?” he asked, standing up and moving directly beside me.

I couldn’t help but smell the whiffs of cologne coming off of him, giving him the smell slightly of citrus and cigarettes and something else I couldn’t put my name on. “Can you please just leave me alone?” I asked. He ran his hand down the side of my face before stumbling slightly, almost falling over the side of my desk.

“Ah, does the freak have a name?” he asked curiously, reaching to grab the glasses off my face. I quick turned my head to the side and pushed his hand out of my face.

I stood up and moved to the next seat over. “Baby, no need to get all mad. I mean I’m on your side,” Andrew said. I scrunched up my nose in disgust as he stumbled over to the seat near his friends. “Stacey’s a slut.”

I snorted. “It’s like you two are made for each other then.” I said before quickly covering my mouth.

Okay, that was definitely the wrong thing to say.

I grinned, remembering how Andrew once told me that it was my smart attitude that got him interested in me. He liked that I argued with him, that I didn’t let him walk over me back then.

I looked up at my husband and felt my cheeks start to hurt from all the smiling I was doing. “So did I,” I replied. “But we won’t ever have to miss it again,” I said, leaning against his shoulder as we watched our kids start to argue over their toy.

“Never again,” he agreed, pressing his lips to my temple before finally interrupting the argument. The beautiful children didn’t listen at first, but after some convincing with ice cream they agreed to let the toy go and share.

“You’re a sucker,” I said, shaking my head.

He smirked.

“A sucker for you.”

***

Riley’s Point of View (London, 48 hours after the wedding)

I sat at my desk with Joey, going through the piles of paperwork as we tried to find the perfect agents for a new case in Manchester. “I think he’ll work,” I said, handing my fiance the folder.

He looked it over before nodding.

“He has a good partner too. I think it will work out.”

“Great, then it’s settled,” I said just before the door opened to my office. Emily walked in with her laptop and set it on my desk. I raised an eyebrow and she gave me a half smile.

“Another police report in Seattle. You’re going to want to see this,” she said.

I covered my face.

“I swear if I have to go back to America for another stupid Jesse Farone case then I’m going to scream,” I snapped.

She didn’t respond, only pressing the play button on the screen.

I read the words that kept crossing the bottom of the screen on the news channel.

“Mass murderer has been caught.”

I looked up at Emily with disbelief, and she only pressed her finger to her lips and pointed at the screen, a sign to just watch. “Jesse Farone, age twenty-eight has admitted to being the mass murderer and the killer in all the recent deaths in Seattle. Since he has been caught there has been no murders, which I’d say is a great sign that the streets are safe once again here in Seattle. Isn’t that right, Jake?” she asked.

He nodded.

“I’d say so, Karen.”

I paused it, not caring to hear any more.

I leaned back on my chair and covered my face with my hands. “He turned himself in,” I said completely amazed. He’ll go to prison for the rest of his life if they don’t choose the death penalty.

Joey stood up and walked over to a cabinet. He went through multiple files before pulling out the only black one among all of the green files. He handed it to me and I didn’t have to look inside of it to know what was located in there. I thought back to the time I remembered most with Jesse Farone.

My view of the scene was interrupted by a tall figure standing in front of me. I put my hand up to my forehead to use it as a shelter from the sun as I looked up.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, making it obvious I was already annoyed.

“I’m just taking a stroll through the park,” Jesse said. I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, sure you are,” I scoffed. “Are you here to throw me against a wall again or maybe, this time, a tree?” I asked sarcastically.

He just smirked and sat next to me on the bench.

“No, I’m honestly just enjoying this nice day by strolling through the park,” Jesse said.

I laughed a sarcastic laugh.

“Are there going to be men surrounding me with guns while you are on your fine ‘stroll?’” I asked, making quotes with my fingers as I said 'stroll.' I didn’t bother to whisper that since we were sitting on a bench that was more towards the small forest in a park. I liked this spot since it had a nice tree above us keeping it nice and cool, hiding me from the hot blazing sun that was peaking through the branches of the tree.

“Nah, not today,” he said smirking.

I rolled my eyes. We both went into a surprisingly comfortable silence as we sat on the bench.

“You know I was enjoying sitting on this lovely bench and you ruin it at this point. Now, can you leave?” I asked.

He chuckled at my bluntness.

I really didn’t mind his company, but part of me felt awkward sitting next to the guy I was meant to arrest in the near future.

“You know Scott, you’re rather blunt about things today. I think I like you better now than the stuck up Riley and the attention seeking April,” Jesse said, shrugging.

My eyebrows furrowed as I frowned.

“I’m not stuck up and ‘April’ wasn’t trying to seek attention. She was trying to simply figure out about your illegal gang which she succeeded at,” I said, crossing my arms as I leaned back on the bench amd closing my eyes as I enjoyed the feeling of the wind that was slowly blowing through the park.

“You talk about April as if she was a different person,” Jesse said amused.

“That’s because April Waters is all made up. It’s a role I played, which usually people like you are not allowed to find out about until you’re sitting in prison,” I said, not bothering to open my eyes as I continued to relax.

“If I wasn’t supposed to find out then why let Calum tell me? What’s your plan?” Jesse asked.

I peeked one eye open.

“If you honestly think I’m that much of an idiot to tell you our plan, then please do me a favor and go find your little group and shoo,” I said, ushering him away with my hands, before my eyes once again.

It was silent for a few minutes so I thought he actually left, but I was proven wrong when I opened my eyes to see him still sitting there. I sighed and sat up and turned my body to face him.

“Okay, Mr .Farone. What do you possibly want? You know I’m not telling you my plan, and I don’t see anyone with guns which means I’m not getting killed, so please enlighten me with what the hell is going on and why are you sitting next to me? Do you want a heart to heart or something?” I demanded.

“Nothing,” he said shrugging.

I groaned.

“Bullshit. I know you didn’t just come here to walk through the park and look at some damn roses and daisies.”

“Nothing,” he repeated.

“For some reason, I don’t believe you,” I said. He raised an eyebrow.

“Why?” Jesse asked me.

I stared at him for a moment seeing if he was joking; when I found no signs of humor I sighed.

“It could be the fact that you’re a leader to a gang that makes and sells drugs illegally or it could be the fact that there is a guy walking up behind me with a gun,” I said.

His eyes widened.

“How did you—” he started to say. I cut him off holding up my hand.

“Because Farone, I am head agent along the side of Joey. We’re both very smart and I can tell when some stupid arse is walking up behind me with a gun pointed straight at my head,” I said with all seriousness before continuing.

“Now, I would arrest you and you stupid friend if it wasn’t for the fact that I forgot my handcuffs at home,” I said, standing up and wiping off my pants. I walked to the guy who was now shaking. I grabbed a hold of the front of the gun and pushed it to the side so it wasn’t pointing straight at me. I didn’t bother to take out any of the few weapons I had on me and continued to walk towards the guy. When he realized I was walking towards him he started to move backward.

“Stay back! I’ve got a gun,” the guy yelled.

“And I have two,” I said, rolling my eyes. He looked around nervously through the corners of his eyes, and I knew he was going to run. I stepped my right foot forward and he immediately ran. I didn’t go after him because I honestly had no need to. I crossed my arms and looked at Jesse who was watching the scene on the bench.

“Jesse, You don’t know who you’re dealing with. We are all high ranked agents from the EA. If you keep playing games, you will find yourself dead or in prison. Remember this, none of your gang members can handle us,” I said, looking him straight into the eyes. Jesse just leaned his arm on the back of the bench and put his head on his hand.

“Is that a threat Scott?” Jesse asked, looking bored as he also looked me in the eye.

“No, that’s a promise,” I said before walking off to my car.

That promise I did keep. I thought to myself.

I called in Rachel, Matt, Liam, and Lex into my office to join us. I looked at them each directly in the eye and smiled, taking a deep breath and pausing.

“Jesse Farone's case is done,” I spoke out loud, making it official before I ripped the folder in half and let the scraps fall to the ground.

“So that’s it? We’re completely done? Done with the fighting them and done with going undercover?” Matt said.

I chuckled, nodding my head.

“Yeah, we’re done.”