I spend the first hour of our trip updating Angel on every detail I learned since my trek to Mom and Dad’s storage locker this morning. By the end of my run through, Angel is in tears and exhausted. She soon rests her head on my shoulder and dozes off. Although I have a splitting headache from the gravity of processing all the facts at once, it helps me to make up my mind about where I’ll go next.

Vincent.

His name can’t be on the list by coincidence. He must have a piece of this puzzle. Kade’s father laid out the scope of events, and sure, it’s logical for a longstanding state politician and an army Colonel to have played a part in a conspiracy of this magnitude. Vincent’s name just does not fit in with the rest. Not when he’s the one who turned up to save me and Nancy on the night of the murders. My eyes are tired from all the driving, but I don’t make a single stop until I’m outside the gates of Vincent’s mansion.

I don’t have to use the buzzer to be let in. Some members of the perimeter security detail are my men from the clubhouse. One of them waves me in and radios a message to announce me at the main house.

Victor is waiting at the front door when I roll up.

We waste little time with pleasantries and introductions. Less than five minutes after arriving, I part ways with Angel so I can grill Vincent privately. A housecleaning staff leads her to get some sleep in one of the many bedrooms upstairs. Me and Vincent retreat into his study.

“I imagine you must think I had some part in this,” Vincent says from his office chair, his usual spot in the room.

“I’m not thinking anything. I’m asking, because I don’t trust anyone as much as I do you, Nancy and Silas. Maybe Angel too, but that’s beside the point. Your name was on that list, Vincent. I would really like to understand why my mother would group you in with a fellow victim and two powerful men who could have orchestrated a the hit our parents overheard, then later, so many years later, returned to make sure their dirty secrets were buried with Mom and Dad.”

“I need to update you on what’s happened since you left your sister’s.” Vincent must register the immediate alarm on my face, because he quickly adds. “Nancy’s fine. They all are. Nothing’s happened to them.”

I press my hands to my temples. “Jeez. Try not to scare the fuck out of me like that, brother. It wasn’t easy ditching that burner phone and being completely out of communication with everyone for all that time. So what’s the update?”

Vincent leans back in his chair. “Simply put, it’s over.”

“What’s over? What are you talking about?”

“Everything to do with the names on that piece of paper, you and Nancy, and Kade’s family. It’s done. No more Los Diablos will be after you, no armed men from secret government agencies are going to swoop in from nowhere in the middle of the night. It’s over.”

I shake my head and start pacing back and forth in front of the armchair I’ve been sitting in. “Are you shitting me right now? It can’t be that simple. First of all, how did all of this go down? Who arranged what, when, where and why? And how are you certain there’s no wild card waiting in the wings for us to put our guards down so Angel or Nancy or the kids can end up in a bad situation?”

“You said you trust me. Do you really? And while you’re thinking about that, consider a few things. How well connected am I?”

“Connected as fuck, last time I checked.”

“Do you think I might know a few people who know a few people who can get out front of this problem and take care of it for us?”

“It’s possible.”

“Okay. See where I’m going with that?”

I nod, and then I shake my head. “No, you lost me there.”

“I’m telling you that I’ll take care of it.”

“Sorry if I’m a little skeptical, but my parents have been dead for close to two decades and somehow, their killers are now after me, Nance, her kids, and the people we care about. I know you kept Nance and me safe all those years ago, but your promise to take care of it isn’t good enough for me.”

“What I’ll say is that we go way back. I’ll also tell you that back then, the line between patriotism and political self-interest was very blurry. My associates and I were able to remind some of these parties that it was in their best interest not to push too hard, so to speak. You’re still with me, right?”

“No, because you’re talking in innuendo and code. It ain’t helping. And really, what I want to know is who were our grandparents ordered to kill, and why?”

“The shortest answer is, do you want to be up all night? Because that is about how long it would take to tell you everything.”

“Fuck. Is there’s an abridged version?”

“No.”

“Come on, man. Give me something.”

“Organized crime intersects with the political landscape. Just leave it at that.”

“Are you talking about anything to do with Giovanni?” I demand.

Victor doesn’t nod, but he doesn’t shake his head either. Only his eyebrows raise. The hairs raise on my neck and a whole new wave of rage comes over me. But it’s nothing compared to the hell Silas will raise when he finds out that the bastard who had Sabrina under lock and key, the fucker who was responsible for burning down half of our clubhouse, he happens to be the guy whose family is behind all this?

“Giovanni? What the fuck does that motherfucker have to do with it? Look, I don’t care if it takes all night or all week. Tell me everything.”

“It’s not just him. It’s his family. And look at you, you’re tired as hell. There’s really no short version I can give you that’d make any sense.”

“Come on. Just try.”

“Let’s just say that a certain European head of state who passed away on US soil in the late sixties… didn’t die of natural causes. You’re going to have to trust me on the rest of the minutia. Just know that the front lines aren’t what you see during primetime news. Wars are being waged right this moment, and the world knows nothing about it. Battles are won and lost behind closed doors and in the dark of night, and maybe sometimes there are the odd soundbites that make it to headline news. Those aren’t usually the whole truth. You should know that, but let’s get back to the point about Giovanni.”

“What point? That we should’ve killed that smug son of a bitch when we had the chance? You had to either flash money, threaten to expose some juicy secrets, or have one of your people hold someone at gunpoint with your goddamned arsenal of weapons. And now like magic, Angel, Nancy, the kids, and Kade’s family are all safe. That’s what you’re telling me? Don’t expect me to believe that.”

“You made it here in one piece and didn’t have to confront or fight a soul, correct?”

“True.” I rake frustrated fingers through my hair. Every cell in my body is still on alert, wanting and needing to fight. This anti-climactic resolution courtesy of Vincent and his connections may have eliminated the threat, but I’m not satisfied. “What about Nance and the kids? Are you sure they’re safe?”

“They are.”

I shake my head. What I want to do is turn back time and make all of this go away. “I hope so… if anything happens to the kids, it’ll destroy her.”

“I won’t let that happen. We won’t.”

“Are you sure it’s over? What about Giovanni? We already know what kind of out of control bastard he is. Has someone put a leash on him too? I swear, if that man comes anywhere near me or anyone I care about, I’ll personally put him down. I don’t care who his dead mafia ex-boss father was, or how much fucking cred he’s racked up. He’s done enough to Sabrina and Silas, then Tate, and the Saints. Fuck, he was even behind the Los Diablos who kidnapped Jordan and locked him down for months like some insignificant nobody. The kid is Governor Bain’s son, for fuck’s sake, and that still didn’t stop Giovanni. Look, all I’m saying is if he comes around again, he’s going down permanently. Fuck the consequences. He needs to pay for his part. And someone in his family needs to pay for everything that’s happened. For Mom and Dad, for Kade’s father, for what we’ve had to deal with. Even for Angel.”

“People have paid, Axe. Rest assured that they have, but don’t ask me for details.”

“What’s with you tonight, and all this talking in code?”

“Honestly? I’m protecting your ass. The less you know, the better.”

“So you’re protecting me, huh? And what about Angel? You know I’m no stranger to violence and being caught up in dangerous shit. But it’s not the same for Angel. She may be taking things in stride, but this ain’t the kind of life she’s had up to now.”

I catch sight of Vincent narrowing his eyes as he studies me carefully.

“You care about her,” Vincent says. “Wait, it’s more than that.” Then he smiles. “Silas was right. You’re fixing to get wifed up! Axe, you’re making the old man proud over here, son. Are congratulations in order?”

“Jesus, what the hell is wrong with you and Si?” I bark. “It ain’t like that.”

“Like hell it ain’t.” Vincent raises his eyebrows and his lips curl up in a grin. “What do you kids call falling in love these days? Let me see if I remember. Oh, right. Whipped AF, right? Who’s the best man? I should mention I haven’t been one for a while…since Reagan was President.”

I shoot him a glare. “I’m serious. She’s not even remotely interested in signing up for all this…baggage. But anyway, getting back to the point, we need Giovanni off our ass for good.”

“He’d have to be crazy to defy us again.”

“That fucker lives for crazy, but you’re telling me he’s under control. It’s all over?”

Vincent picks up the cell phone on his desk and throws it over at me. “Phone your sister. Talk to Kade. Call Silas. They’ll confirm.”

“All right, fine. I’ll pass on phoning them. You know I trust you. I just hope you’re right.” I stand up and start for the door.

“Where are you going?” Vincent asks. “I’m not done yet.”

I wave my hand above my head and turn around, but keep walking backward out of the room. “Tell me in the morning. I’m beat. By the way, I’m crashing in my old room, if that’s okay with you.”

“It’s exactly the way you left it,” Vincent answers, smiling. “But Axe?”

“Yeah?”

“Silas and Sabrina want me to give you a quick message.”

“What’s that?”

“Two words. Background check.”

I just laugh. “Night, old friend.”

“Goodnight, kid.”

Finishing up the last of my hand-rolled cigarette, I put it in the retro styled waste collector outside Vincent’s front door. I shove my hands into my pockets. The fucked-up adrenaline rush of the past few days just will not subside, even with Vincent’s update last night. Something still prickles against the back of my neck. I’ve been bracing for impact, ready to fight, almost eager to get my hands bloody. Before Vincent’s news, I was prepared to destroy everything and anyone who threatened me and mine. Now, the weight should be off my shoulders. It’s supposed to be over, but my gut has a hard time believing the worst is over for my family.

Almost overnight, my idea of family has somehow been resurrected. Before all this chaos, I had Vincent and the Satan’s Saints. For a long time, I believed they were more than enough. I’ve been so wrong for almost allowing my kin to slip away. Reconciling with Nancy has lifted a mammoth-sized weight off my shoulders. I can actually picture spending much more time with my niece and nephew. Maybe in time, me and Kade might learn to tolerate each other too, if we both have enough alcohol in our systems to look past the whole Los Diablos versus Satan’s Saints deal.

One outcome I was not expecting is that my image of family has begun to include that pretty little curvy vixen still sleeping upstairs. Sure, she’s a mouthy, smart as fuck, blonde bombshell, and the whole dominatrix thing she’s into is a little out of control. She told me flat out that she isn’t interested in anything more than a bit of sexy fun now and then. But hell, Angel has calmed the turbulent, riotous storm in my head. I haven’t had the nightmares or a single flashback since that night I shared my childhood horror story with her. Just the thought of letting her out of my sight causes my chest to tighten. I close my fists so tightly that any second now, my nails will draw blood from my palms.

“Hey.”

I spin around to face Angel, and have to smile. She’s now dressed up in a tailored black dress with designer pumps to match. My bet is Nancy must have picked out the preppy, nouveau-chic designer outfit. It practically puts a glowing neon sign over Angel’s head that says, “Hey! Look at me! I’m not from around these here parts!” at a time when it would have been imperative to blend in.

“What?” Angel asks as I keep on staring without saying a word.

I pull her into my arms. “You’re gorgeous. So, what’s up?”

“I’m going to work. Can you give me a ride?”

“Now? You know it’s Sunday, right? Public libraries are closed today.”

She nods. “I know, but I’d like to check on how much work has piled up for me since we took off. You told me yourself that your friend, Vincent, took care of everything. I may as well get over there and find out if I still have a job. Oh, on the way, can we stop at my place for a few minutes? I need to see Jet, Spencer and Marley. If my neighbor hasn’t already put them in a kennel because of their quirkiness.”

“No problem at all, but are you sure you want to rush off to work so soon?” I ask. “You should rest a bit, you know? Settle the nerves down, and all that.”

I wonder whether Angel sees right through my feeble attempt to keep her around a bit longer. Business as usual for the two of us means that I’ll be back at the clubhouse or taking care of security gigs for the Saints. Angel will be home at her apartment, and back working at the library. Having things go back to normal means we’re about to go our separate ways.

“I’m fine. I think getting back to my routine will probably help me get past it more quickly. Plus, my car’s still parked at work. Oh, that reminds me. Do you have jumper cables?”

“I’m sure I can find some.”

“Thanks. It’s been acting up lately. I’ll need to get it off that lot before it racks up a fortune in parking fines.”

“If you want, I can get someone from the clubhouse to take a look at it for you.”

“Really? God, that would be such a help. Thanks. So can we go now?”

I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. “Sure thing.”