PAINT IT RED (MikhAiah)

EPILOGUE: Wicked Kind of Love

Three years later...

MIKHA

Aiah is laughing with Maloi as they read Kathryn's latest letter. Karylle sends all of Kathryn's letters to Olivia. And Olivia sends them to a home in Greece that Aiah owns, but we don't ever stay there.

Kathryn has turned into a fun, witty girl who has managed to put her past behind her and move forward. Karylle has given her all the tools to do that, and she's finally moved on herself in her quest to save Kathryn.

Her ex-husband killed himself a little over two years ago. Aiah and Colet broke out the champagne to celebrate since they'd apparently driven him to that.

Olivia also writes, telling them about Sheryl and Ella, who both still live with her. No one ever suspected Olivia after I put a round of bullets in Christopher Vergara.

Bela went to live closer to her son. He bought her a home, and she's finally able to enjoy her life without the past hanging over her like a daunting shadow. She thinks Aiah died in that explosion, and Aiah says it's best if she believes that.

I check in on my team from time to time, using a burner phone to contact Gwen. She assures me that no one on our team is looking for me. Most everyone thinks I snapped. She's the only one still there who knows the truth.

She said Jhoanna is just happy that she's officially the prettiest face in the unit.

But I know what I did still weighs heavily on all of them because they're worried it could be them one day. They just don't understand how unlikely that is. And it's not like I can tell them.

Colet walks down the stairs in just a towel. It'd be nice to not share a house with her and Maloi, but this home is massive, and I'd never tear Aiah away from her best friend after all they've been through.

Besides, I sleep peacefully at night, more so than ever. Our house is the most dangerous place in the world to try and break into because of the four of us.

A guy walks down the stairs, also wearing a towel, and Maloi whistles at him as she stands and struts from the dining room, her hair mussed and her clothes disheveled.

"Glad you two finally finished up. I couldn't go another round," she tells Colet as she tugs her to her, nipping her lips with her teeth as she grins.

"You still have to go another round with just me tonight," Colet says. "And next month, you get to pick who joins us."

She beams like Colet just offered her Christmas. Personally, I don't get it. I'd fucking kill someone if they touched Aiah, and there's no doubt she'd cut someone to pieces if they touched me.

Literally.

But Colet and Maloi are both adventurous, and though they'd never cheat on each other, they do include select individuals in their bedroom on occasion.

Once a month to be more precise. Trust me, I know more about Maloi's sex life than I ever wanted to.

Aiah is holding back a laugh when I near her because she knows I hate hearing all the gritty details Colet and Maloi love to share.

She takes my hand, and I pull her up, my thumb brushing the red ruby on her ring finger.

"You ready, Mrs. Jimenea?" I ask her, waggling my eyebrows.

"I've just been waiting on you."

"As of now, I can't wait to get out of this house and out on the boat."

She laughs again as I practically drag her away from the house. Her leg is completely healed now. She walks with no limp, and she's back to taking classes—kickboxing classes, to be exact. Though I think it'd be smarter for her to actually teach the classes since she's a little too good to still be a student.