Chapter 177: Do you actually think you could walk away?

The sun had dipped below the horizon, the sky now a deep shade of blue, the last traces of orange fading into the night. The waves crashed rhythmically in the background, a steady soundtrack to a conversation none of them thought they’d ever have.

Damon leaned against the railing of the deck, whiskey in hand, his thoughts heavier than usual.

“You know,” James said, swirling his drink, “if you had told me four years ago that we’d be sitting here talking about retirement, I would’ve laughed in your face.”

Damon smirked. "Me too."

Liam took a slow sip of his drink. "But here we are."

Orion, ever the observer, exhaled. “We built something that can outlast us. That was the point.”

Damon nodded. “And maybe it’s time we let it.”

Liam tilted his head, thinking. "Do you actually think you could walk away?"

Damon considered that. Really considered it.

“I think I want to.”

James studied him. "And Sera?"

Damon exhaled, a slow smile forming.

“She’s the reason I want to.”

That was the truth of it.

He had never wanted a normal life. Not until her.

And now?

Now, he wanted everything with her.

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "Never thought I’d see the day."

Damon smirked. "You’re one to talk, Carter. You just admitted you want out too."

Liam exhaled, a rare moment of quiet settling over him.

“Yeah,” he said. "I do."

James leaned back in his chair. "Damn. Maybe we really are getting old."

Orion smirked. "Or maybe we just finally know what we want."

Zayn had been silent through all of this, his fingers tapping lightly against his glass.

He had never let himself think about a life outside of Apex.

But as he sat there, listening to Damon and Liam talk about choosing something different, something more, his mind drifted to one person.

To Tessa.

To the black velvet box still hidden in his pocket.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"I don’t know if I could do it," he admitted. "If I could just… stop."

Damon eyed him carefully. "But you’re thinking about it."

Zayn didn’t answer.

Because he didn’t have to.

Damon already knew.

And that?

That scared him more than anything.

The kitchen smelled like perfection.

Seraphina moved with ease, flipping steaks with precision, while Alexandra prepared the pasta, and Tessa sat on the counter, stealing pieces of chocolate from the dessert plate when she thought no one was looking.

Alexandra swatted her hand away. “Stop eating everything before we serve it.”

Tessa grinned unapologetically. “I have no self-control.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes. “We’re aware.”

Tessa smirked. "Speaking of no self-control, what do you think the boys are talking about?"

Seraphina shrugged. "Probably debating who would survive the longest if they got stranded on an island."

Alexandra snorted. "My money’s on Damon. He’d have a five-year plan for survival before they even hit shore."

Seraphina smirked. "You’re not wrong."

Tessa, grinning, stole another piece of chocolate. “Zayn would definitely die first.”

Seraphina arched a brow. "You say that like you’d let him die."

Tessa froze.

Just for a second.

Then, before she could stop herself, she muttered, "I wouldn’t."

The kitchen went silent.

Alexandra and Seraphina stared at her.

Tessa, realizing what she had just admitted, immediately scowled. “Forget I said that.”

Seraphina smirked. “Oh no, Quinn. That was interesting.”

Tessa grumbled. “I hate you both.”

Alexandra chuckled, stirring the pasta. "You care about him."

Tessa scoffed. "He’s tolerable."

Seraphina raised a brow. "Uh-huh. And that’s why you’re staring at the door like you’re waiting for him to come back inside?"

Tessa whipped her head around. “I am not.”

Alexandra smirked. “You so are.”

Tessa groaned, grabbing a bottle of wine. "I refuse to be part of this conversation."

Seraphina, grinning, turned back to the steaks.

Because Tessa could deny it all she wanted.

But they all saw the truth.

And maybe, just maybe—so did she.

Damon took a final sip of his drink, setting it down as the conversation lulled into a quiet understanding.

James glanced at him. "So what now?"

Damon exhaled, watching the glow of the house from the deck.

"Now?" He smirked. "Now we eat."

Liam grinned. "Finally. I was starting to think you’d keep me hostage with all this emotional talk."

Zayn stood, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. Try not to cry on the way in, Carter."

Liam flipped him off.

As they headed back inside, Damon felt lighter.

For the first time, the idea of stopping didn’t feel like losing.

It felt like winning.

And the best part?

He had everything he ever wanted waiting for him inside.