Chapter Seventy Four

Stephen

Life is a lot like a chess game. Every move you make can either give you an edge or put you at a disadvantage. Even the best-laid plans can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes. But just like the chess pieces, life keeps moving. Wins and losses are just part of the game.

At some point, sacrifices have to be made. You have to expect the unexpected. When a hasty decision leads to a potential loss, it teaches you to be more careful next time. You learn not to regret your decisions because every mistake is a lesson. Mistakes are part of our destiny.

In this game of life, the game doesn't end until the King is cornered. So, keep playing. As you lose, you ironically get better. Once you start winning and continue to do so, you improve. But even when losses come, whether you're at your best or not, you accept them as part of being human.

Life can't be lived with constant calculation, nor should we want it to be. But there are times when we need to align our actions with a strategy, instead of just winging it. Play for the advantage. If you have it, hold onto it. If you don't, grab it. Everyone's playing the game. Sometimes it's friendly, often it's serious. The problem is, not everyone realizes they're playing, even after they've made a move.

After everything I've learned recently, and everything I've lived through over the years, I've realized one thing: seize the initiative. If you wait for someone else to make decisions for you, they will, and you probably won't like the outcome.

There's nothing more satisfying than a discovered attack—pretending to do one thing while attacking somewhere else. Learn to play and live less obviously and on more levels. This makes you less predictable and more challenging. So when Lachie suggested a baited trap this afternoon, I'd be a fool not to take his advice.

Years ago, I would have tried to handle things my way, relying only on myself. But I don't have that luxury anymore. The day I married Trinity, I promised to put her above all else. Sure, we've had our stumbles and slips—well, by we, I mean me. But I knew this moment, this opportunity presented by Lachie, was one that could free my family from all the constraints I had unknowingly brought into their lives.

Trinity never complained, though. She was always the woman she promised to be in her vows. Now it was my turn to be the man I promised her I'd be, the man she needed me to be, the father and husband I always wanted to be for them.

Like me, Lachie had picked up on the coded message Walis was trying to convey earlier. He didn't want to talk on the police line for long, but he was ready to talk. He wanted his control back. So when I told Lachie to go inside once we returned and tell my wife I was calling Clint, he knew I was accepting the FBI's plan.

Walis would think I was ready to negotiate and give into his demands, giving him the upper hand. But we never planned to meet on his terms. We never intended to head to the docks. The plan was always to arrest him the moment he stepped out of his house to meet me.

As Lachie explained, the recorded call, the baited arrest, and the collective intel would be enough for the FBI to move in. It wasn't just about what we could bring to the table anymore.

There was leverage to be used from the top. Two detectives were already facing murder charges and would be ready to talk for better protection on the inside. After all, a con would have a field day with a corrupt ex-cop. They didn't know Maddie was still alive, and there was no evidence of the life I had led, other than a few corrupt officers' word.

It was hard to believe that for 25 years I had been a pawn in this game, unknowingly. Now, I was the last man standing. And the boy in me still felt undeserving.

As I stood there watching the FBI finally cut off the head of this corruption, I was lost in a flood of thoughts. How did I get so lucky to be free from this life?

When I felt my wife take my hand and place her hand over my heart, I looked down at her.

Trinity - Now you get to be the man you want to be, Stephen, not the man they made you. Now you get to be my Stephen, my husband.

As I looked deeply into my wife's eyes, I could see her searching my soul.

Trinity - What is it you want, Stephen?

Stephen - I want to take my wife home.

I took her hand in mine as I walked up to Lachie and shook his hand.

Lachie - We'll talk in the next few days.

Stephen - Thank you.

Trinity - Thank you, Lachie, for bringing my husband back to me.

We got into the car and began the drive home, to our family, our true family, the one we would fight to the bitter end for, to our children, our pea pods, our very reason for fighting so hard for so long. It was almost inconceivable that this was my life, and not part of a story.

Pulling up, I walked around and helped my wife out of the car. I took her hand softly in mine and we walked up the stairs and inside. It didn't take long to find Clint and Mia sitting out back, waiting for us. The relief on their faces when they saw us both walk through, unharmed, told me that this, right here, was everything I needed. My family and my loved ones.

Clint - So?

Stephen - It's over, we're free.