“Thanks, Banger. That means a lot to me.”
Cara went out to the great room carrying a tray of beef brisket, the steam mixing with the cigarette smoke as she put the tray on the buffet table. One of her duties as an old lady was to prepare and set up food for family get-togethers, normally held on late Sunday afternoons. In nice weather, the barbecues were in the yard, and in inclement weather, they were in the great room.
Cara saw Jax at one of the tables. She went over to him and tapped his shoulder. He turned around and grinned when he saw her.
“How are you doing, Jax?”
“Good as new. Heard Hawk got off his ass and claimed you.”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for visiting me in the hospital and checking up on me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad you’re feeling fine. You gave us all a scare.”
Hawk came up to her, his arm possessively around her. Her leather vest with his patch was a beacon to all men to stay the fuck away.
“I love seeing you wear my patch,” he breathed in her ear.
“I love wearing it and seeing how happy it makes you.”
“I never thought I’d have a woman wear my patch, but now that you’re in my life, I can’t picture it without you.”
He kissed her hard in front of all his brothers and Cara kissed him back, happy to be a part of his club, his world, and his life. Standing in the smoke-filled room, with all the brothers and old ladies and Hawk by her side, she realized she was whole for the first time in her life.
Yes, life was good again. It was very good.
Epilogue
Four months later
“It’s all over?” Cara asked Ralph Bowles, the deputy district attorney assigned to the Nomads’ cases.
“Yes, they pled guilty to firearm possession and manslaughter in exchange for us dropping attempted rape, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assault, and a bunch of other charges that would’ve gotten them over a hundred years in prison, if convicted. Considering Rot and Beaver were on parole, and Viper is an ex-felon, the weapon charges alone will give them years in prison. They’re looking at serving a minimum of twenty-five years. They and other members of their gang are also facing federal charges of drug and sex trafficking along with a slew of weapon charges. You can be sure they’ll be gone for the long stretch.”
“That’s a huge relief. I dreaded a trial. The last thing I wanted to do was see Viper again. Good job.”
“The Department of Corrections will notify you whenever any of them comes up for parole.”
“Yeah, I know the drill. Thanks for all your hard work, Ralph.”
As Cara clicked off her phone, relief washed over her. It’s finished. After all this time, it’s over.
Asher came into Cara’s office. “I overheard. I’m glad you have this behind you.”
“Thanks, Asher. Hawk, Jax, Chas, and Ruben will be relieved, as well. There’s one thing a biker doesn’t want to do, and that’s cooperate with law enforcement.”
“Whatever happened to the dirty cops and detectives who were in cahoots with the Nomads?”
“They got fired and are being prosecuted. It’ll serve them right to be in the same prison with the Nomads. We’ll see how friendly everyone will be under the same roof. Good riddance to all of them.”
“You’re taking off this weekend?” Asher asked.
“Hawk surprised me with a weekend trip to Aspen. We’re going on his Harley. It should be beautiful, now that spring is finally here.”
“I still find it funny when I think of you on the back of a Harley.”
“I love it. I’m thinking of buying one for myself.”
“That’ll kill your mother, for sure. She any better about you and Hawk?”
“Very slowly coming around, and for her, that’s huge. I better go to my arraignments. If you want, you can take off early this afternoon. I won’t be back until after four.”
“Thanks, boss. Have a nice weekend.”
* * *
The ride along Deer Trail Pass showcased hints of spring as the milder air replaced the colder winter winds. A lone red-tailed hawk flew over an open field near the rocky cliffs. Trees sprouted green leaves with beginning floral buds as the mild temperature opened the door to a flurry of life after the long, frigid winter.
Cara, arms around Hawk’s waist, marveled at the beauty of the spring season. It was a short season in Colorado; the newly green leaves could easily be stunted by a freezing, wet snowfall. Just seeing the greenery beginning to fill out the bare branches caused a flutter of elation in Cara. Spring was the time for rebirth. She had come a long way since that horrible night in November. The coldness of the wintry air had matched the iciness in her heart when she found out that her dear cousin was a killer. It had taken her months to come to grips with that realization, and even though she missed the Eric she knew, she breathed easier knowing a cruel, calculating killer was stopped.