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I issued him a nod before getting comfortable on my bed. I exhaled a long breath to release the stress of the day, then not two seconds later, clarity hit me square in the face. I needed out of this shithole so I could get back to my life.
Enough dwelling on the past. Enough punishing myself and drinking away my pain. Enough mourning.
Ryder needed me to help him get his life straight. I didn’t want to see him flounder as I had before Matt found me lying in the alley behind The Bullet.
It was like the fog lifted. The sun came out shining brighter than ever after weeks, no years, of darkness consuming me.
I needed to make up withmygirl. Apologize to her for flipping out and running away.
I was hellbent on fighting through the guilt of letting another woman into my heart. I’d begged Monica for forgiveness at her grave in Cali.
I felt the crushing weight of regret lift off my back.
It was time to put her to rest, let it all go so I could love again.
Storm had been right when he said Monica would want me to move on. She was a kind, loving woman who’d want me to be happy and live life to the fullest.
All this time, I’d been free to love Tara, but I’d held back.
Not anymore.
I’d try my damnedest to be everything she needed and give her all that she ever dreamed of.
Roja was mine.
I just hoped she wanted me too.
13
Storm
FOUR BOTTLES OF Jack Daniels later, shortly after 1:00 a.m., the call came. The church meeting room reeked of alcohol and weed. We were all on edge, waiting. The relief crossing over Boxer’s face set my racing heart at ease.
“Fuck yeah! Thanks, man. I’ll toss in a bonus with your monthly salary.” Boxer ended the call and threw his arms up. “The fucking enforcer is dead!” He lifted his shot glass and tossed it back. “I need some pussy to celebrate!”
Grunts and fists pounds echoed around the table. At last, we could breathe. Justice was served. Rudy Dutra would rot in hell.
There was still another man I had on my personal list. Deputy fuckin’ Miller would get his day. Had the smarmy bastard been at county with Hero, I would’ve found a way to take him out. But a dirty judge had thrown out his case. The day Miller was released, Sheriff Bush fired him. At least the sheriff had a moral compass.
Miller had to know I was coming for him. Since his release, he hadn’t been seen. We’d been looking for him. I wouldn’t have peace until he was wiped off the earth.
But I couldn’t think of any of that right now. We could only put out one fire at a time. I needed my SAA home before we searched under every rock to find Miller.
“Before you shitfaced motherfuckers get even more wasted, tomorrow the women need to be returned to their home.” I turned toward Track. “Do this right. No fuck ups.”
Track raised his glass. “Consider it done.”
“All right, everyone. Clear out and have a good time. You all deserve it.”
Raul hung back, waiting for the room to empty. As the last brother exited, he said, “Miracle of all miracles.”
“I was sweating it,” I told him honestly. “He could’ve been a selfish prick and not followed through. Then we’d be screwed having his mom and sister in our possession.”
“But it didn’t go down that way.” Raul gripped my bicep. “I’m heading home to my family. It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah. I’m going up to mine now. The next order of business is getting Hero out.”
“If only he’d parked in the alley.” Raul shook his head. “It’s full of cameras. He wouldn’t have spent a single day in the can.”
