Sway With The Wind [Complete]

Chapter 44 - Sway with the Wind

The morning sun was unforgiving as it pierced the gray clouds, casting a stark light over the Carter estate. Reporters and photographers swarmed the gates, eager to capture the downfall of one of the city's most notorious crime families. The headlines screamed about the end of an era, the largest criminal takedown in years, and the collapse of the Carter empire. But for those who had fought to make it happen—Carl, Pip, and Detective Harris—there was no sense of victory.

For Carl, the fight had never been about power or revenge. It had been about protecting those he loved, even if it meant turning his back on the life he once knew. As he watched the news unfold, he felt a strange sense of closure. Carter was behind bars, the empire he had built crumbling. But with that closure came a bittersweet aftertaste. His father's empire was gone, but so was any hope of reconciliation or belonging. It was a hollow victory.

For Pip, the weight of his choices settled heavily on his shoulders. He had orchestrated the entire takedown—gathering evidence, working with the police, and betraying his own blood to bring justice. Everything had gone according to plan, but the cost of justice was high, and he had paid it in full. He had turned his back on the only family he had ever known, and now that family was gone, leaving behind only the remnants of a broken legacy. The emptiness gnawed at him, a reminder that some scars would never heal.

***

The small café was quiet, save for the low hum of voices and the occasional clatter of dishes. The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm, golden light over the tables. El sat by the window, her hands wrapped around an Iced tea that had long since the Ice melted. The events of the past few weeks swirled in her mind like a storm—Mr. Carter's arrest, the dismantling of the Baltzar group, and David's death. It all felt surreal, like a bad dream she was slowly waking up from.

It all felt so surreal, like she had been swept up in a storm she didn't fully understand. Yet here she was, trying to find a sense of normalcy again. Her life had been turned upside down, but now the storm had passed. Or so she hoped.

The bell over the door chimed softly. She glanced up as the door to the café swung open, and her heart skipped a beat. Carl walked in, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on her. He looked the same as always—calm, composed—but there was something different in his eyes. Something she hadn't seen before.

He approached her table slowly, his steps measured. When he reached her, he offered a small, tired smile.

Carl greeted her "El."

Her throat tightened slightly as she nodded. "Carl." She found herself looking him over, searching for signs of injury, relief flooding her as she saw he was healing. As she was looking, El noticed something she hadn't seen before—a striking red flower tattoo peeking out from the sleeve of his shirt, curling around his left arm. The vibrant red stood out against his skin, a stark contrast to the stoic man she had always known.

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the air between them. He slid into the chair across from her, his eyes never leaving hers. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy—heavy with the things neither of them had said, the moments they had shared without speaking.

Carl cleared his throat, his voice soft. "I'm glad you're okay."

El smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks to you." She hesitated, then added, "And Pip."

At the mention of his brother, Carl's expression shifted. A flicker of something unreadable passed over his face. He nodded slightly, his gaze dropping to the table. "Yeah... Pip."