I dialed Brucie's number. The guy picked up after half a ring, already hyped.

"Yo, Nicky! Wassup, baby?"

"Can you pick up Roman, me, and Kate? I want to take her on a helicopter ride."

"Yeah, yeah! My man! Romantic and high-adrenaline—Brucie style! I'm on it!"

Half an hour later, we were up in the sky, the city stretching below us in golden hues as the sun set over Liberty City. Kate clung to my arm, unsure if she was thrilled or terrified. Roman, on the other hand, had both hands gripping his seat.

"This is insane, cousin! Insane!" he yelled over the rotor noise.

Kate smirked. "If you crash this thing, I swear, I'll haunt you."

Brucie laughed. "Ain't no way, Kate! Brucie's got this under control, baby! Pure alpha energy!"

After the ride, we touched down near Superstar Café, a fancy spot where the rich and wannabe-rich rubbed shoulders. I called Little Jacob.

"Yo, Jacob, you free?"

"Seen, mi bredda. Whe mi meet you?"

"Superstar Café."

A short while later, Jacob rolled up in his rusty car, stepping out in his usual laid-back way, a spliff in his fingers.

"Bless up, mi general," he greeted me, nodding toward Kate. "Respect, lady."

We had a couple of drinks, laughing, reminiscing about everything that had happened. The people we'd lost. The city that had both given and taken so much from us.

Later that night, I took Kate home.

"Are you okay?" she asked as we stood outside her place.

I nodded. "Just got a lot on my mind."

She kissed me softly. "Just don't do anything reckless."

I watched her go inside before heading back to Roman's place, where Brucie and Jacob were waiting.

Roman poured a drink and looked at me seriously. "Niko… listen, about the deal. You should take it."

I sighed. "Why are you pressuring me? I already have plenty of money. Half of it is yours."

Roman leaned forward. "I know. But you're not the kind of guy to sit around and do nothing."

I exhaled. "I will do what needs to be done. But listen—we should all leave for a while. Get away from this place. You and Mallorie can get married somewhere else. I'll cover everything."

Brucie grinned. "Bro, destination wedding? I like it!"

Jacob nodded. "A fresh start sound good, mi bredda."

Roman hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, cousin. Maybe you're right."

I looked out the window. The city stretched beyond, its neon lights flickering in the distance. Liberty City was a place of ghosts—of choices, mistakes, and unfinished business.

But maybe, just maybe, it was time to leave it all behind.