Chapter 20
Vida stood nervously by Colton as he knocked on his parole officer’s door. Colton opened the door when the voice told him to come inside. She had wanted to wait outside, but Colton had refused to let her leave his side. Giving in, she now found herself under the scrutiny of a large man behind a desk. If his hair hadn’t been black and long, worn in a ponytail, he would have been a ringer for Santa. However, the man sitting behind the desk had anything other than a jolly look on his ruddy face.
“Dax, I wanted to check in today, I have several appointments scheduled for tomorrow. I had to fire one of my artists so I’m short staffed,” Colton explained to the man, who from the looks he was giving Colton, could care less about his explanations.
Dax leaned back in his chair. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” Colton gave the probation officer a sharp look. Vida was beginning to feel that he also was sensing that something wasn’t right.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Colton?”
“Dax Carter, this is Vida Bell. She’s my fiancée.” Vida looked at him in surprise. She must have been asleep when he’d proposed because she damn sure didn’t remember it.
“You don’t waste much time, do you, Colton? The ink’s barely dry on your divorce papers and you already have a new fiancée.”
“Maybe not, but they are signed and it’s legal,” Colton countered.
“Have a seat, Colton. You too, Ms. Bell,” Dax said, pulling open a folder on his desk.
“I’m glad you stopped by. I had to change your schedule, and now that you’re here, it saves me the trouble of emailing it to you.” Dax leaned forward, handing Colton a piece of paper that he picked up off his desk. Colton took it from him.
Vida began to get worried when Colton took several minutes, reading over it. She had promised she wouldn’t leave without him to find Sawyer. If his probation schedule didn’t give them enough time to get to Indiana and back, then he wouldn’t be able to go. She wouldn’t break her promise to him, which meant she could lose Sawyer forever.
“I don’t understand.” Colton’s hoarse voice drew Vida’s mind away from her worried thoughts.
“Let me explain it for you. This morning, your ex-wife went to the police with her lawyer and confessed to the crime you committed. She is now under arrest, since she is yet to be convicted, all charges against you cannot be dropped. Your lawyer, who was notified, is currently taking care of all the necessary paperwork. I should wait until this gets the judge’s approval, but I see no need for further visits pending the judge’s approval. In plain words, you’re a free man.”
“Tessa confessed?” Colton asked.
“Yes, she even included in the statement that you were under emotional duress because she was carrying your child,” Dax explained to a shaken Colton.
“I can’t believe after all this time, she confessed,” Colton said unbelievably.
“It’s her way of telling you she’s sorry,” Vida whispered, her throat tight.
“It’s a little late if you ask me. She could have saved him three years in prison,” Dax said, clearly unimpressed with Tessa’s gesture.
“It’s not too late.” Vida stood up, hugging Colton when he rose from his chair. Tessa had made it possible for them to leave town without having to worry about Colton getting in trouble for a parole violation.
Colton reached across the desk and shook his parole officer’s hand. They turned towards the door.
“Colton, if by some chance you decide to leave town and run into any difficulty, give them my card.” Colton and Vida both stopped, turning back to Dax. “I’ve been a parole officer a long time, no one shows up early for an appointment.”
“Thanks, Dax.” Vida waited for Colton to close the door behind them before throwing herself in his arms again.
“Let’s drop the keys off to Reverend then we can hit the road,” Colton said as they got on his bike.
The parole office was a twenty minute ride away from the tattoo shop.
They pulled in the lot just as the last client left.
Reverend was waiting for them inside.
“I sent Carlito home. The boy’s going to need his rest. I told him he’s working full-time until you get back.”
“He can handle it; he’s a good artist, almost as good as you at his age,” Colton complimented his friend.
Colton handed Reverend the shop keys. “Thanks, Reverend. Take care of it for me until I get back.”
“You know I will, brother. Be safe.”
“Always.” Vida laughed at the man hug they gave each other before hugging Reverend herself.
“You two better be going, not much daylight left,” Reverend warned.
Vida turned to go outside, coming to an abrupt stop.
“Uh… Colton?”
“Yeah?” Colton turned, grinning at the sight outside.
Vida followed Colton out the door. The Predators took over the whole parking lot. There were well over a hundred bikes, some even had to park on the street in front of the other businesses.
“What’s up, Ice?” Colton said, shaking Ice’s hand.
“Reverend gave me a call, telling me you’re headed out of town to find your old lady’s friend. We’ve been bored sitting on our asses lately, thought we’d tag along for the ride.”
Vida looked at the crew of rough men waiting to ride with them. “Digger couldn’t get Sawyer away from this musician because he had security. Want to bet we have better luck?” Vida joked with Colton.
“Sounds like Vida wants your help. Thanks, brother.”
Ice nodded his head.
The men all moved their bikes back into position as Vida put on her helmet and climbed onto the back of Colton’s bike. When he started his motor, backing the bike up in position, Ice moved forward to pull his bike next to Colton’s.
“You might want this to keep you warm.” Vida saw Ice hand Colton a leather jacket that looked like the one’s the other men wore.
Colton took it from him, pulling on the jacket he had taken off over three years ago.
Vida leaned forward to hear his words. “Baby, you ready for this long ride?” Vida knew he was talking about the ride to Indiana, but she was looking further down the road, to the years ahead.
“I’m ready.” Whether they got Sawyer back safely or not, Vida knew she was ready to take whatever road life had in store for Colton and her. They had each other now, and however exciting and dangerous it was, their love would survive the test of time.