Read Married Before Midnight - Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 37 Online Free

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Married Before Midnight

Chapter 37: The Reckoning

The Carter family sat around the kitchen table, the remnants of dinner pushed aside, replaced by a tense silence. Ava’s hands trembled in her lap, her fingers twisting the edge of her sweater. Lucas leaned forward, his expression dark with controlled fury. “We’re not letting him get away with this,” he said, his voice low but firm. Hannah nodded, her sharp mind already working through possibilities. “We need proof. Something concrete that ties him to extortion—and something that ensures he can’t come near Ava again.” Eleanor reached across the table, covering Ava’s hand with her own. “You’re safe here, sweetheart. No one will hurt you.” Ava swallowed hard, her throat tight. “But what if he—?” “He won’t,” Lucas cut in, his gaze steady. “We’ll make sure of it.” Hannah tapped her fingers against the table. “Logan’s greedy. That’s his weakness. If we dangle the right bait, he’ll take it.” Lucas smirked. “And we’ll be waiting.” --- The plan was simple but airtight. Over the next few days, Ava would play along—agree to Logan’s demands, but insist on meeting in person to hand over the money. Meanwhile, Lucas and Hannah would ensure the entire exchange was recorded, with the police ready to intervene. Ava’s hands shook as she dialed Logan’s number the next morning, her voice carefully measured. “I-I have the money,” she said, her stomach churning. “But I want to meet. Somewhere public.”

Logan’s laugh was oily through the phone. “Smart girl. Don’t want me showing up at your fancy new home, huh? Fine. The park near your old apartment. Tomorrow at noon.” She hung up, exhaling shakily. Lucas squeezed her shoulder. “You did great.” Hannah was already typing on her laptop. “I’ll get Officer Reynolds looped in. He’s a friend—he’ll make sure Logan doesn’t slip through the cracks.”

The next day, the air was thick with tension as Ava walked toward the park bench, a sealed envelope in her hand. Hidden in the trees nearby, Lucas and Hannah watched, their phones recording. Officer Reynolds and another cop lingered near a food truck, pretending to be civilians. Logan slouched on the bench, his smirk widening when he saw her. “There’s my little cash cow.” Ava forced herself not to flinch. “Here.” She thrust the envelope at him. He snatched it, thumbing through the bills. “This is half of what we agreed.” “It’s all I could get,” she lied. Logan’s expression darkened. “You think you can screw me over? After everything I did for you?” “You never did anything for me,” Ava whispered, her voice trembling but defiant. Logan grabbed her wrist, his grip bruising. “You listen here—” That was all the proof they needed. Lucas moved first, striding forward. “Let her go. Now.” Logan’s head snapped up, his sneer faltering as he took in Lucas’s imposing frame. “Who the hell are you?” “Her brother,” Lucas growled. Hannah stepped into view, holding up her phone. “And we’ve got everything on video. Extortion, threats—you’re done.” Logan’s face twisted in rage, but before he could react, Officer Reynolds was there, his badge flashing. “Logan Brooks, you’re under arrest.” The struggle was brief. Logan cursed, thrashing, but the officers had him cuffed in seconds. As they hauled him away, he spat at Ava, “This isn’t over!” But Ava stood tall, her breath steadying for the first time in weeks. “Yes, it is.”

Back at the Carter house, the relief was palpable. Eleanor pulled Ava into a fierce hug. “It’s over, darling. He can’t hurt you anymore.” Lucas clapped a hand on Ava’s shoulder. “You were incredible.” Hannah grinned. “And we make a pretty good team.” Ava looked around at her family—her real family—and felt something warm settle in her chest. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t alone. She smiled. “Yeah. We do.”