The Nomad Series-Collectors Edition

by Janine Infante Bosco

  “Is it Deuce?” I ask with dread in my voice. “Jesus, fuck, tell me he’s all right.”

  “He’s fine—”

  Her words are cut off by a knock on the door. I see the thin frame of a woman step inside and then Celeste moves out of my view and I see the red hair. Something catches in my throat as the woman shuffles her feet inside the room, twisting the sleeves of her shirt nervously like my sister used to do before she had an exam.

  She lifts her head and her eyes meet mine.

  In another life, this broken woman was a beautiful young girl with her whole life ahead of her.

  In this life, she’s a shell of a person. Judging by the look in her eyes, she’s seen hell and suffered through it.

  In this life, she’s a survivor.

  In both lives…this woman is my grown sister.

  Alive.

  Standing in front of me.

  “Alexandria,” I mutter in disbelief.

  She just stands there silently and I turn to Celeste for confirmation that I’m alive and not losing my fucking mind.

  “Ally,” Skylar points.

  Turning back to her, I stare at her.

  “Is it really you?”

  She nods her head.

  “Hi, Jagger,” she whispers hoarsely.

  “Come here,” I command softly. A million emotions I never knew existed bombard me at once as Celeste steps to the side allowing room for Alexandria to come closer. I can’t stop staring at her. When she’s finally close to me, I see the years of torment etched across her face.

  “I never thought I’d see you again,” I admit as she grips the edge of my bed.

  Tears roll down her cheeks and she looks away.

  “You’re going to be fine,” I tell her. “We’re going to figure it out,” I say the words even though I don’t know what we’re figuring out. I have no idea what happened to her, what she’s been through, the things she’s seen or the things that have been done to her.

  I know nothing.

  Except that my sister is alive.

  She’s alive.

  She turns around as Jack walks through the door and I sense her hostility toward him. Releasing the rail of the bed, she steps back. Next to enter my room is Deuce, their eyes lock, and she scowls at him before turning around to Celeste.

  “I want to go,” Alexandria says quietly.

  Concern etches across Celeste’s features as Jack steps between them and points to Deuce.

  “Reina’s waiting in the hall, she’ll drive the two of you back to the house,” Jack says to Deuce.

  “Wait a minute, why the hell do I have to leave with her?”

  “Because until we get a handle on this shit, she’s your responsibility.”

  His eyes bulge out of his head.

  “My responsibility? What the fuck for?”

  “Well, as our brother’s in a bed recovering from a bunch of bullet holes and his woman has been away from their kid for too long, they’re not ready to take her on yet.”

  “Um, I hate to point it out to you but you were just telling me I couldn’t go back to the motel until I was healed.”

  “I changed my mind,” Jack says with a shrug. “You can go wherever you like as long as you take her with you and make sure she doesn’t leave your sight. You’re also going to have to make yourself accessible to her schedule.”

  “Her schedule? What the fuck?”

  “Come on,” Celeste says to Alexandria. “Let’s let them figure out this stuff. I’ll walk you to Reina.”

  “I don’t need an escort,” she bites back.

  “Okay, well I’d still like to walk with you. I need a breather,” Celeste replies, looking over her shoulder at me. “I’ll be back.”

  I nod slightly, watching a surreal moment play before me as she walks alongside my sister. In another life, I watched them stand beside each other a thousand times. I’ve seen them giggle as they whisper secrets to each other and throw their heads back in laughter.

  In this life, they walk with my daughter between them. Both of them are strangers to one another, yet the little beauty staring up at both of them grabs their hands and unites them.

  Fucking surreal.

  “How did this happen?” I ask as they walk out the door, turning around to face Deuce and Jack.

  “The girl I told you Rush was obsessed with…” Deuce trails off.

  “Was my sister? You knew that all along?”

  “Not until they took me and Skylar and locked us in a cabin. The motherfucker had pictures of her all over the place. Articles of her disappearance, projection drawings…he had a fucking shrine to her.”

  “Rush kidnapped her?”

  “We don’t know the details,” Jack interrupts. “She’s not really talking to us. She doesn’t think we rescued her. Up until she saw you on the docks she was very closed off and fighting us tooth and nail. She needs help. I’m telling you now, she’s got a long fucking road ahead of her.”

  “Yeah, so why don’t we admit her somewhere?” Deuce suggests.

  Slicing my eyes to him, I study him for a moment.

  “What did she do to you?”

  “Look, I get she’s been through a lot, man, but I’m not the guy we should stick on her,” Deuce argues.

  “You’re familiar to her right now,” Jack retorts. “You’ll stick with her until I say otherwise.”

  “Stryker is familiar to her. Me? I’m the asshole who turned the only life she knows upside down.”

  “Look, after everything that’s gone on over the last few days I need you to step up,” Jack tells Deuce. “There’s a lot of shit I need to deal with, shit the club needs to handle. Not another word Deuce. In fact, as of right now and until this guy over here can take a piss on his own, Ally’s your number one priority.”

  Deuce’s jaw ticks and I watch him glare at Jack silently before rubbing a hand roughly along his face.

  “Glad you’re breathing,” he mutters before stalking out the door, leaving Jack and I alone.

  I turned my back on him and the club. I tore my cut from my body and defied the oath I took when I was patched in. I went against orders, and in another life that would be enough to sign my own death certificate.

  “I owe you an apology,” I say, slicing through the tension. “I owe you everything.”

  “You owe me nothing,” he responds, pulling up a chair so he can sit beside my bed. “You’re my brother, which makes your family my family.”

  In this life, I get a pardon.

  “Family doesn’t turn their back on family,” I argue.

  “Sure they do, but only the strongest families prevail,” he corrects, leaning back in the chair. “You were right, Yankovich set the two shipments to coincide. Rush was planning to take your girl and your sister to the border where Yankovich was moving his drugs. He never got the chance because his old lady ratted out his location and we took back what was ours. Then we came home and brought your daughter back to your woman and reunited her with your sister. That’s when Rick called and told us that you knocked him out and were aiming to intercept the docks.”

  What a fucking mess.

  “We didn’t get Yankovich but we will,” he vows. “That motherfucker will get everything he has coming to him. Before you tell me it’s over, it’s not. You may have gotten your girls back but that cocksucker tore my club apart. On top of that I’m in too deep to turn my head on what he’s doing. I’m just getting started.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Jack,” I admit, releasing a breath. “You didn’t just give me back my daughter, you rescued my sister. You did what no one else could do. Twelve years, she’s been missing for twelve years.”

  “Well, don’t get all misty eyed and shit. I almost shot her,” he tells me as he reaches around and cups his neck. “Girl’s as fucked as the day is long but she’ll mend. We’ll all do our part. You may have been alone for most of your life, but you ain’t no more, boy. Now, you want to give me something in return, you give me
your trust and understanding. It’s time for you to learn no one fucks with what’s mine. All you lost souls are fucking mine. You’re all property of Parrish.”

  “That means something,” I reply.

  “Yeah, in this world it means everything,” he says as he pushes off his chair. Laying a hand on my shoulder he leans over. “You just worry about getting yourself back in shape, enjoy your kid and your woman, I’ll take care of the rest, including your sister.”

  “Do you know what happened to her?”

  “Boy, why do you think I’m after this cocksucker? I got a daughter. She might be Blackie’s woman now, but she’ll always be my daughter first. If any man ever did what they did to your sister to Lacey, I’d nail that motherfucker to the cross. Which is exactly what I will do when we get Yankovich,” he growls, taking a step back.

  “You’re a lucky bastard, Cobra. That little girl of yours…she’s special.”

  I nod, agreeing with everything he’s said. I am a lucky bastard for so many reasons but Skylar is number one.

  “Heart,” I call as he reaches the door.

  “You got it?”

  “Tenfold,” I reply, watching as the smile ticks the corners of his mouth.

  “Attaboy,” he murmurs before walking out of the room.

  Laying my head down on the pillow, I stare up at the ceiling and take it all in. I think about the last twelve years. The football game, sitting under the bleachers sharing a bag of M&M’s, making the prettiest girl I’ve ever known mine—having the best night of my life. Learning about Alexandria’s disappearance, watching my parents slowly slip away from me. I think about Celeste and the struggles we endured after my sister went missing, how we both fought to be normal teenagers. I think about how we lost one another.

  I think about my list and the names I’ve crossed off, the sins I’ve committed and the holes I’ve filled. My life may not have traveled the course it was meant to, but somehow, I found myself exactly where I was supposed to be.

  The boy born to Cora and Keith Richardson of Brooklyn, became a man, traveled the country seeking vengeance and wound up back home. In the same city I lost everything, I found my place. Home is more than a place though, it’s more than a patch, it’s the people you surround yourself with.

  The door pushes open one final time and my gorgeous girl walks through it. Exhausted and beautiful…mine.

  All fucking mine.

  Home is her.

  It’s her smile.

  “Come here, gorgeous,” I murmur, crooking my finger lazily. My body feels, well, it feels like I’ve been fucking shot, but that won’t stop me.

  I used to think someone had to catch me to kill me, but I had it all wrong.

  I got caught.

  She caught me.

  And she saved me.

  Sitting on the edge of my bed, she twists her body and stares at me.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m better than okay,” I tell her. “I’m complete, baby.”

  She leans forward and presses her lips softly against mine.

  Home.

  In this life, I’m Jagger Richardson. I’m the guy who gets the woman, the guy that gets to love her and make all her dreams come true. I’m the guy who has the family he never thought he’d have.

  I’m also Cobra and I am Satan’s deadliest soldier. I have brothers I am proud to call mine, brothers who respect me and my family.

  Once a wanderer, I am now home.

  THE FUCKING END

  Glory Be!

  -Epilogue-

  Cobra

  It’s been a long fucking time since I stepped foot in this garage. It’s different from Pipe’s. Smaller. Neater. A whole lot more professional than the chop shop the Satan’s Knights use as a front to hide money. Then again, I’d expect nothing less from Salvatore Spinelli. He’s a man who takes pride in everything he does. From his family to his business, he gives one hundred percent.

  I’ve got big shoes to fill and can only hope I’m half the husband and father he is.

  Getting his hands dirty, not willing to delegate responsibility to his workers, he shoves his head under the hood of a car and does what he does best.

  “Sal,” I call out, watching him hit the back of his head on the hood.

  “Shit,” he mutters, grabbing the back of his head as he turns to me. “What’re you doing here?”

  My lips quirk as I round the back of the car and walk toward him. I glance under the hood and back at him.

  “Whatcha working on?”

  “Tune up,” he says, pulling a rag from his pocket. He wipes his hands on the rag and eyes me suspiciously. “Should you be out and about?”

  “You sound like your daughter.”

  “Yeah, well,” he mutters. “How’s everything going?”

  “Good, trying to get back to normal…whatever that is,” I say. Unable to help myself, I bend my head and start to tinker with the engine of the car. It’s like second nature—some shit just never leaves you.

  “Your sister?”

  “She’s not ready to come around yet,” I reply, biting back the frustration that claws at me.

  Since I’ve been released from the hospital I’ve made several attempts to connect with Alexandria, but she shuts me down every time. Celeste has made very little progress too, but she’s taken to Skylar and jumps at the opportunity to spend time with her. She’s staying at the motel with Deuce. I don’t like it, but I’m afraid if I push her too far I’ll lose her, and I only just got her back.

  Fucking crazy.

  The club is on the mend. After the showdown on the pier, Bas and Needles asked Jack to join forces, knowing they weren’t able to fix the mess Rush left their chapter in. They sold what was left of the club’s assets and turned the rest over to Jack almost like a buy-in. Now they wear the Brooklyn patch too and with the money Jack made off selling Rush’s shit we started the construction on our clubhouse. We also set money aside for Linc’s rehabilitation. He had his final surgery, and once he’s released they will send him to a rehab facility.

  As far as Yankovich is concerned, he’s been off the grid again. Gone without a trace. Ironic but not surprising. He got away with his transport but he didn’t win. I’m the fucking winner this time and I’ve got Jack Parrish to thank for that.

  “I’m guessing you’re not here to shoot the shit or dirty your hands,” Sal speaks up, causing me to turn my gaze to him.

  Biting the inside of my cheek, I shake my head.

  “No, I’m not,” I answer honestly.

  “Then are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

  “Think you know why I’m here, Pops,” I counter as I shove my hands in my pockets. “In another life, I made you a promise.”

  Pulling out the tiny black box, I juggle it from one hand to the other before handing it over to him.

  “We stood in this very spot when I first told you I was going to marry your daughter and promised to ask your permission before I do. For a long time, I didn’t think we’d ever have this conversation. I thought I’d lost her for good. I don’t want to wait anymore, Sal. I want to move on from all the bad shit that dragged us down. I want to make a good life for her and our kids. I might not be the guy you would have hoped she’d marry, but I promise I’ll love her better than any other man ever could.”

  “Son, you don’t have to pitch yourself to me,” he says, laying a hand on my shoulder. “You had my blessing when you were just a kid, willing to do anything and everything possible to make her smile.”

  “You caught onto that?”

  “I loved you for it. You’re a father, you understand what it feels like to see your daughter smile, and when she finds someone who wants that smile more than his next breath, you’ll also know relief. You’ll be able to leave the world without worry, knowing there is someone else out there taking care of what you cherish. You’ve had my blessing for a long time, Jagger,” he says hoarsely as he flips open the box and stares at the solitaire set
in an antique setting.

  “Do you think she’ll like it?”

  “She’s going to love it,” he whispers, snapping the box closed before handing it to me.

  “When are you going to do it?”

  “As soon as I shake your hand and get the fuck out of here,” I quip.

  He laughs as he extends his hand to me. I grip it firmly, shaking on it as an understanding passes from my eyes to his.

  I’ll respect her.

  I’ll love her.

  I’ll give her all I am capable of.

  I’ll make her happy.

  I’ll live up to the standard you set.

  “Go get her, son,” he rasps.

  It’s all the encouragement I need. I can’t ride because of my injuries but I have a prospect driving me wherever I have to go. Perks of the job and all that. Glancing down at my phone, I spot an unread text message from Celeste. Swiping my thumb across the screen, I open and read it.

  Celeste: Where should I meet you?

  Me: The football field.

  Celeste: Are you serious?

  Me: Live a little.

  Grinning, I make the prospect stop off at a bodega and grab her a bag of peanut M&M’s then we head back to where it all began.

  Innocence and sin.

  They do exist.

  Walking across the field, I’m transcended back to that night and I can almost hear the crowd. I can hear the coach’s voice ordering me off the bench. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

  I spot a football laying on the ground and I lift it in my hands. Placing my fingers on the threads I fake a pass.

  “Should’ve told me you’d be making a comeback, I would’ve made a sign,” I hear her call out from behind me.

  Turning around, I smile at her and drop the ball onto the ground as I make my way toward her.

  So fucking gorgeous.

  Mine.

  Always mine.

  “Hi,” she murmurs as I reach for her.

  Wrapping my arms around her waist I bend my head and take her mouth. I nip and suck at her lips until they part, inviting me in for a taste of heaven. So fucking good it’s sinful. We fight fire with fire as our tongues wrestle for control.

  In war there usually is only one victor.