Those Who Survived

Those Who Survived
Damien’s POV

We pulled away from the hospital lights slow and steady, blending into traffic like we’d just been out for a drive. No rush. No lights. Just us guys. And silence.

Andre handled the wheel smoothly even with the graze on his arm bandaged quickly from the first-aid kit.

Jace leaned back beside me, still buzzing with adrenaline, blood crusted on his knuckles but grinning ear to ear. 

“You know what we need right now? Drinks. Strong ones. Private booth somewhere quiet. Celebrate this victory properly. Headlines are gonna explode tomorrow…‘Mysterious Hit-and-Run Claims Notorious Businessman’ or some shit. We earned a toast.”

I stared out the window at the city blurring past, the weight finally sliding off my shoulders. For once, I didn’t argue. Didn’t snap that we should head straight home. I was bone-tired, wired, and yeah… I needed the drink.

“Fine,” I said. “One drink. Maybe two and then we head back.”

Jace whooped. “Hell yes! That’s the spirit!”

Jaxon chuckled. “Never thought I’d see the day the boss agrees to something without a fight.”

Andre smirked in the rearview. “Boss needs a drink first…he’s having a personal moment inside his head right now.”

We all laughed as we crept out of the area quietly, taking back roads until we were clear of any cop eyes.

I pulled my phone, thumbs flying over a quick message to Liam: ‘The Old man’s dead. Tell your fiancée the news. She’ll be pleased.’

His reply pinged back instant: ‘Got it, boss. Thank you for this. The Mission is complete…my final one.’

I smirked at that. Liam deserved it…closing that chapter personally.

I leaned my head against the cool window, watching L.A. roll by. I’ve avenged my parents. My father’s company is now mine for good. Isabella is safe. Carlos is gone..not by my bullet, but gone all the same through fate’s twisted joke.

Yeah. I could really use a strong drink right now.

We hit a low-key bar downtown…one of those spots with dark wood, dim lights, and a back room for “VIPs” who didn’t want eyes. The bouncer knew my face, and waved us through to a private booth tucked in the corner. Bottles showed up fast…top-shelf whiskey, tequila shots, cold beers to chase.

We drank like men who’d just won a war.

Because we did win a war.

Shots slammed as stories flew…Jace reenacting his tackle with wild gestures like we didn’t see it happen, Jaxon laughing about how Andre’s plan was “straight out of a video game,” me finally admitting Andre saved our asses tonight.

“To Andre…the goddamn genius!” Jace yelled, clinking glasses.

Andre blushed but pounded his drink. “Just doing my job.”

The vibe was electric…thrilling, alive. Like we’d cheated death and were laughing in its face. Music thumped low from the main bar, bass vibrating the table.

A few girls wandered over…pretty, flirty, spotting our booth and the empty chairs. One slid in next to Jace, another eyed me with a smile.

Andre…already three whiskeys deep and loose as hell…threw his arms out wide. “Ladies! Ladies, hold up. These gentlemen?” He waved dramatically at us. “Taken. All taken. Committed. Locked down. But me?” He patted his chest, grinning sloppy. “I’m single as hell. You can have me…all of me plus all of you. Come on, I’ll treat you right!”

The girls burst out laughing. One ruffled his hair. “You’re cute, but you can’t handle all of us.”

Jaxon howled. “Andre, you legend! Show them what you’ve got!”

I shook my head, chuckling despite myself. The night felt good…free.

But after a couple more rounds, the buzz hit warm, and my mind drifted back home. To her laugh. Her face when she woke up. The way she fit against me.

I set my glass down. “Alright. I miss my woman. Let’s go home.”

Jace groaned but nodded. “Yeah… Agnes is waiting.”

We called a designated driver…one of my guys on standby happened to be around the area. Then we all got into the car, laughing the whole ride back to the estate.

By the time we stumbled through the front door, we were loud…drunk-loud, except me. I wasn’t wasted, just loose enough to let go. For once, I wanted to be goofy. Immature. The kid I never got to be because I was too busy navigating life.

The living room lights were low, TV streaming some rom-com. Isabella, Agnes, and Ellie were on the big sectional…blankets, popcorn, light snacks scattered. They looked up mid-laugh, eyes going wide at us.

“Surprise!” Jace yelled, arms out.

Isabella’s face lit up…healthier already, color back in her cheeks, stitches hidden under comfy clothes. She looked better than she had in days. Beautiful in all senses.

I zeroed in on her, grinning stupid, and dropped right into her lap…not full weight though, twerking like an idiot to the movie’s background music.

The girls lost it.

Ellie choked on popcorn. “What the…Damien! You’re embarrassing me!”

Agnes doubled over laughing. “Oh my God! This is so much better than the movie!”

Isabella laughed weak but real…hand on my chest, eyes sparkling. “You’re ridiculous! Get off, you big oaf…my side!”

But she was pulling me closer, giggling like I’d never heard.

Jace…proper drunk…dropped to one knee in front of Agnes, grabbing the TV remote like it was a ring box. “Agnes, my love! Marry me! Tomorrow! No… Right now!”

He held the remote up dramatic. Agnes covered her face, howling with laughter. “With a remote? Babe, no! I want the biggest diamond ring!”

Jaxon flopped onto the couch, cuddling into Ellie like a giant baby…head in her lap, arms wrapped around her waist. “You’re so pretty. Don’t ever leave me… okay?”

Ellie patted his head, trying to look stern but cracking up. “You’re smashed.”

“Who’s idea was it to get my man drunk?” I heard Agnes ask sternly.

Both Jaxon and I pointed to Jace as Agnes turned back to him and started scolding him.

From the hallway, Andre’s voice belted out…off-key and loud as hell: “Lonely! I’m so looonely! I got noooobody… on my oooown… ooooow… I’m so lonely!”

Matteo and a couple other guys appeared, dragging him away by the arms, Andre waving dramatically like a rock star. “Goodnight, ladies! Long live the single ones!”

The room erupted…everyone laughing until tears came.

I settled next to Isabella after my twerk session and buried my face in her neck.

She ran fingers through my hair, still chuckling softly. “You’re not even that drunk, are you?”

“Nope,” I mumbled, smiling against her skin. “Just happy.”

Happy she’s here.
Happy it’s over.
Happy I can finally breathe.