“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.
Epilogue
Vida walked quickly through the strip club. Her trembling fingers tightened on the belt around her waist. Going up the staircase carefully, she didn’t want to trip in the high platform shoes she was wearing and break her neck.
The VIP room had just a few customers already being taken care of by the regular servers.
“You’re late. Your client’s been out here twice to see if you were here yet,” Henry said impassively.
“Sorry,” Vita mumbled, going for the private door. She slipped inside, closing and locking the door before taking a deep breath and turning to her client.
“I’m going to kill you for this.”
“Is that any way to talk to your client?” Colton laughed.
“If any parents from Axel and Roxi’s school recognizes me, you’re dead,” Vida threatened.
“Vida, baby, I hate to tell you this, but you’re kinda putting a damper on my fantasy, talking about the kids.” Colton leaned back against his plush chair. “It’s your own fault, promising me anything for our anniversary.”
“I didn’t think you would choose this,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Again, you’re killing my buzz. Henry even made sure there are clean sheets on the bed.”
Vida turned bright red, unable to prevent herself from looking at the huge bed against the wall.
“Come on, where’s the woman I met and fell in love with?”
Gracefully, giving in to her husband’s fantasy, Vida reached out, pressing the button by the door. The room filled with Colton and her favorite song. “Resuscitate Me.”
Loosening her belt, she unbuttoned her raincoat, showing the three piece stripper outfit she had ordered online.
“Damn woman, you look fine for a soccer mom.”
“Now you’re ruining my fantasy,” Vida reproved him.
“Come here and I’ll give you more than a fantasy,” Colton promised.
Vida started dancing to the music, edging closer to Colton at the same time that she teased him by removing the top cover of her outfit. Showing the tiny red bra and panties underneath, she leaned over him until her breasts lay against his bare chest.
“Actually, I had a different present in mind for our anniversary,” Vida said, straddling his lap.
Colton’s eyes were on her swaying breasts as she unsnapped the tiny bra, baring her breasts that had grown fuller with the birth of their children.
“I can’t imagine a better present than this,” he said, leaning forward to take a nipple between his lips, but Vida evaded him by sitting down on his lap.
“Colton.” Her shining eyes and mischievous smile brought a lump to his throat. Taking his hand in hers, she placed it against her bare stomach. “Have you heard the saying double trouble…?”