“I’m going to end it,” Adrian said. “All of it.”

“Adrian, don’t talk,” I pleaded, my tears finally spilling over. “Just wait for the doctor.”

“Listen to me, Claire,” he said, his voice urgent. “This is the only way.”

He looked back at Miller.

“I won’t fight the charges,” Adrian said, his words slow and deliberate.

“Are you saying you’ll cooperate?” Miller asked, leaning closer.

“I’ll plead guilty,” Adrian said. “To everything. Racketeering, conspiracy, tax fraud. Every single count.”

Miller stared at him, stunned.

“You’re looking at twenty years minimum, Adrian,” Miller said. “Maybe life.”

“I don’t care,” Adrian said, his eyes turning back to me. “I want the DeLuca name buried. I want the organization dismantled so completely that there is nothing left for anyone to fight over.”

I felt a cold dread settle in my chest, different from the fear of the shootout.

He was giving up his life to buy ours.

“Adrian, no,” I whispered, shaking my head. “There has to be another way.”