Chapter 6 - The Real Birthday Party
Three months later.
The morning sun broke over the pine trees surrounding The Keep, casting brilliant golden light across the manicured green lawns and the glittering stone fountains.
The grand courtyard of the estate didn't look like a mafia fortress today.
It had been transformed into a fairyland. Huge pink and white balloons floated in the sky, a giant bouncy castle sat near the rose gardens, and a live carousel was gently spinning near the edge of the terrace, playing soft, happy music.
Children’s laughter echoed through the warm air. The kids of my top security personnel, staff, and legitimate corporate partners were running around the lawn, playing tag and eating ice cream.
I stood on the stone terrace, wearing a comfortable white linen shirt and dark trousers, a warm cup of coffee in my hand.
Beside me stood Viktor, wearing a bright yellow party hat over his scarred face, looking entirely uncomfortable but refusing to take it off.
"The perimeter is clean, Boss," Viktor reported, keeping his voice down. "Rachel and her friends are currently enjoying their first winter in Manitoba. Evelyn was spotted living in a small studio apartment in South America under her maiden name, working as a waitress. She has made zero attempts to contact us."
"Good," I murmured, taking a sip of coffee. "And the business?"
"Fully restructured," Viktor smiled slightly. "Eighty percent of our operations have been converted into legitimate logistics, clean real estate, and global tech investments. Don Carmine is handling the European end peacefully. The Syndicate is stable. You are, officially, a very wealthy, very legitimate businessman."
"Daddy! Look!"
I turned around.
Mia came running across the grass, wearing a brand-new, bright yellow summer dress with matching ribbon bows in her hair. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling with pure, unburdened joy. She looked healthy, strong, and completely happy.
She was carrying a huge, wooden box tied with a gold ribbon.
"Look what Dr. Thorne helped me make!" she squealed, stopping right in front of me and holding up the box.
I dropped down onto one knee, setting my coffee cup on the wall, and took the box from her.
I opened the lid.
Inside was a large, beautifully crafted wooden clock. The gears were hand-carved, painted in bright pastel colors, and in the center of the clock face was a hand-drawn picture of Mia and me holding hands under a yellow sun.
"It works, Daddy!" Mia said proudly, pointing at the swinging pendulum. "I put the gears in all by myself!"
I looked at the clock, then pulled my daughter into a tight, warm hug, burying my face in her soft hair.
"It's the most beautiful watch I've ever seen, baby," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
"Is it better than the broken ones?" she asked, looking up into my face with her bright blue eyes.
"It's better than anything in the world," I said, kissing her cheek.
In the center of the terrace, the grand double doors of the estate opened, and four staff members pushed out a massive, five-tiered birthday cake.
It was covered in brilliant pink frosting, topped with glowing sugar pearls, and illuminated by five bright candles burning steadily in the warm afternoon breeze.
The crowd of guests gathered around the cake, clapping and singing happy birthday.
I stood up, holding Mia securely on my hip, her arms wrapped around my neck.
I looked at the cake, then at the bright blue sky above us, and finally into the laughing face of my daughter.
The darkness was gone. The blood was washed away. The monsters had been defeated.
"Make a wish, Mia," I whispered into her ear.
Mia blew out the candles in one big breath, and as the smoke drifted up into the sunny sky, she leaned against my shoulder.
May you like
"I don't need to wish, Daddy," she giggled, grabbing a piece of pink frosting with her finger. "I already have everything."
I smiled, pulling her close, knowing that for the first time in my life, I did too.
