Page 2 of In It for the Long Ride

“That man…” I quietly began, unable to finish the question.

“Federal agent.” Crystal didn’t bother denying, despite the shaky breath those two words plucked from me.

I could count on her for that. Even when it was ugly, she gave it to me straight. She wasn’t like my nephews, there were no songs and dances between us, no games, or stories. Crystal and I respected each other.

I sniffed and looked away, trying to reign in the tears as I asked the most obvious question, “What did they catch you up with?”

“Daisy–” She swallowed so hard I heard it, and the tears leaked down my face as I looked back at her.

How the fuck was she going to get my nephew, Blaze, out of Swanwick and away from the disciples? How was our baby going to escape the outlawry and foolery that had taken his grandmother, his father, and now his mother?

“Daisy, I didn’t take a job as a desk cop, alright.” The words rushed out of her, and they stopped my tears almost instantly. “I’m a fucking federal agent.”

Even with my vision blurred with tears, I knew enough to look toward the porch as I shushed her.

“Don’t say that,” I whispered.

“I have to. I have to tell you what is going on.” She sighed, as Oak went inside with Blaze. “I’m going to catch the man who killed my son’s father. I’m going to catch him and they’re going to put him away for the rest of his life.”

“One mobster isn’t going to solve the problems your son faces,” I shakily pointed out. “You go after this– this mobster… then what? What if he gets you first, Crystal? You’re all Blaze has left.”

I’d raised both my nephews after my sister died in a meth cook gone wrong. The explosion that took her should have provided a way out of the biker lifestyle for the boys, but instead, I’d watched as Eric grew up and chose to throw away a militarycareer for the club. As if that weren’t bad enough, just a few months ago, Anthony, the eldest, died on his motorcycle while fleeing law enforcement.

Blaze and Eric were my last two blood relatives. Eric was recovering from a bullet wound, compliments of the club, and Blaze’s mother was rushing headfirst toward the mob now.

“Crystal,” I had to pull on patience that I didn’t know I had left just to say her name without shouting it.

“Demetri Valentino killed Janice Miller. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he gave the order. He was responsible for the ambush at the club house that killed Sasha. His men were the ones behind the massacre that killed Big Vick at the funeral, and countless others.” Crystal sniffed.

“Why does it have to be you? Why does it have to be Blaze’s mother that chases the son of a bitch down?” My voice started to rise with emotion and more than a little panic. “Crystal, you’re all he has.”

“I know. And if I fail him, then what?” She looked at me with blue eyes that were wise beyond her years. “If I fail him then Demetri Valentino continues to eliminate the people that he loves one by one. Janice Miller wasn’t a biker. She wasn’t even an ol’ lady. She left the club behind over a decade ago… She wasn’t safe. He took her life because he knew it would hurt those who still wore a patch. My son is not safe. Not while Demetri is out there.”

“This is why you mean to take Blaze to Chicago? You were going to take him with you to play cops and robbers with a man who is capable of that much carnage?” I tried to make her hear how foolish the plan sounded, once I realized her intentions, but she looked away and I knew she wasn’t listening anymore.

“I’m a single mother, Daisy. I have to do what I can for my baby,” Crystal quietly began after a few moments.

“I know that. I don’t disagree with that much of what you’ve said.” I knew her mind was made up; all I could do was negotiate for my nephew at this point. “Would you consider letting me keep Blaze somewhere safe for you, or how about Oak? Until this case is settled and you have this… Demetri apprehended?”

“He’s coming with me,” she whispered.

She rubbed her neck and appeared to be stressing herself out just thinking about it. When Oak tapped on the glass, we both startled and flailed.

“Sorry,” he immediately spoke up, as he opened the door.

His Georgia drawl was twice as thick as usual. I knew it was because they’d just returned from burying his mother, but it still gave me pause.

“Oakland, speak with her please,” I begged, looking past Crystal.

I’d never second guessed her as a mother, but her grief wasn’t allowing her to see things clearly. I couldn’t let my nephew get caught up in the middle of this biker-mafia war. Crystal didn’t appear upset; she just combed her fingers through her hair and squirmed in the seat like she was settling in with her thoughts.

“A–about what, ma’am?” Oak’s cheerful expression slowly melted.

“Convince her to let me keep Blaze, until things are settled up there. A war ain’t no place for a boy and we all know that is what this is turning into.”

His eyes locked on mine, and he swallowed hard. After a moment, his attention gravitated toward Crystal.

“She’s right,” he whispered. “The boy just drifted off to sleep on the sofa. All this traveling has him exhausted. He needs to get away, but where we are going ain’t no vacation, Crystal.”

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