Page 80 of Close Protection

"Federal agencies tend to appreciate when local law enforcement prevents citywide infrastructure takeovers by criminal organizations," Diana said dryly. "Especiallywhen said organizations have infiltrated the police department itself."

A nurse appeared in the doorway, medication tray in hand. Diana nodded, recognizing Dr. Mars's time limit.

"Rest, both of you," she said, moving toward the door. "That's an order, Detective Scott. We'll discuss next steps when Dr. Mars clears Dr. Monroe for release."

After the nurse administered additional pain medication and left, Ivy felt herself drifting toward sleep, the adrenaline that had sustained her finally ebbing completely.

"You should use that cot," she murmured, fighting to keep her eyes open.

Julia shook her head. "I'm fine where I am."

"Julia," Ivy said, tightening her fingers around Julia's. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise.”

Something vulnerable flickered across Julia's face. "When Knox's men took you..." She swallowed hard. "I've never been that afraid. Not in Kazakhstan. Not in any operation."

"I knew you'd find me," Ivy said simply.

"I should have protected you better. I was distracted; I let my guard down?—"

"Stop." Ivy tugged on her hand until Julia leaned closer. "You found me. That's what matters."

The medication was pulling her under, consciousness receding like the tide from the shore. The last thing she registered was Julia's lips pressing gently against her forehead, and three words whispered like a promise: "I always will."

Julia's apartment—once a sanctuary, then violated by Knox's men, and now reclaimed—was transformed in subtle ways.

The same exposed brick walls and high ceilings remained, but something had shifted in the space between them. Security upgrades glinted discreetly at access points. The furniture had been rearranged slightly, like actors taking new positions on a familiar stage.

Most telling was the scent. Beneath the lingering smell of fresh paint and new electronics hung the faintest trace of lavender,Dr. Mars's parting gift of essential oil to "cleanse the energy," delivered with a wink that suggested it wasn't entirely medical advice.

Ivy stood in the center of the living room, noting the changes. Two days in the hospital had been necessary but suffocating. Now, finally released with stern instructions for rest and follow-up, she found herself unexpectedly hesitant at the threshold of a space so layered with memory.

"Morgan handled the security upgrades," Julia said, closing the door behind them. The locks engaged with a more substantial sound than before—reinforced hardware, likely military-grade. "And Lavender sent over some things to make it feel…different. Cozy."

The famous café owner's touch was evident in the soft throw blankets and strategically placed candles that somehow made the security improvements feel less intrusive.

"It's good," Ivy said, meaning it despite the tightness in her chest. She moved to the kitchen counter where her laptop sat beside Julia's service weapon, professional tools side by side. "Did Morgan recover my files?"

Julia nodded, dropping their bags by thebedroom door. "Everything's encrypted on the secure drive Chief Marten provided. The trial preparation team will need your input, but not until Dr. Mars clears you."

"And Knox?"

"Federal custody, no bail." Julia's expression hardened momentarily. "Harper, too, along with Officers Reeves and Donovan. Internal Affairs is reviewing every case they touched over the past five years."

Ivy absorbed this, the analytical part of her mind already calculating implications. "The department must be in chaos."

"Diana's handling it." Julia moved to the refrigerator, extracting ingredients with characteristic efficiency. "The Commissioner's granted her temporary authority to restructure the Detective Division. Twenty-four-hour protection details on key witnesses and federal marshals supplementing our security teams."

While Julia prepared a simple meal—her movements revealing lingering stiffness from her own injuries—Ivy drifted to thewindows. Phoenix Ridge spread below, lights twinkling in the darkness, and somewhere across those lights, Knox's carefully constructed empire was crumbling as federal agents executed warrants on properties she had identified.

"You did it," Julia said quietly, appearing beside her with two plates. "The infrastructure acquisition plan has been completely dismantled. The regulatory agencies seized control of all critical nodes this morning."

"We did it," Ivy corrected, accepting the plate. "I identified the pattern, but you made sure the evidence reached the right hands."

They settled at the small table that had hosted their first strategy session against Knox. The symmetry wasn't lost on Ivy—the place where they'd begun dismantling his empire now witnessing its aftermath.

"It's strange," she said after they'd eaten in comfortable silence. "For months my entire focus was bringing down Knox's organization. Now that it's happening, I'm not sure what comes next."

Julia studied her across the table, her lovely green eyes catching the soft lamplight. "The grand jury is scheduled for three weeks from now. Federal prosecutors will walk you through testimony requirements. After that..." She hesitated. "What do you want to happen next?"

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