“She can’t stay here, Reginald. You know that, don’t you.”
“What do you mean?”
“She just killed a man in the same house she always felt safe. She will never be able to get over that if she stays here. And as much as I would like to think you both could make it work here, I know that is an impossible task. You need a fresh start, and you won’t find that here. There are too many bad memories here.”
“Mom, we came home to live here.”
“I know, and I appreciate that, but you are not the same boy I remembered. You’ve grown into a man. A man capable of providing and protecting his family all on his own. Dwayne told me of the house you two are building. I think a house on the beach would be perfect for her.”
“But that means going back to California.”
“I know, and I will miss you, but California isn’t that far away, and I can always visit. Maybe I will like it and find a place close. That way, I can still see my boys and watch my grandson grow up,” My mother said, then smiled. “Yes, I think I would like that very much.”
Saying nothing more, we cleaned Catarina as much as we could until my mother started the shower. Carrying her into the hot shower, I made sure all remnants of her time in the basement were washed away. And when she was cleaned, my mother was waiting with fresh towels and clean clothes. As I laid her on the bed, I covered her and watched as she still slept, wondering what hell her actions were going to cause her. No matter what it was, I would be there, right beside her, to help her get through it.
“Go shower. I will sit with her until you return.”
Nodding, I did just that.
In the days that followed, Catarina barely spoke. We all knew why but none of us said a damn thing. What could we say? She had every right to do what she did. I only worried because I could see the toll it took on her.
After the third day, I knew my mother was right.
She couldn’t stay here.
There was no way Catarina could live in the same home she killed someone in. I had to do something.
Seeking out Giovanni, I found him in his office.
He said nothing as I sat waiting for him to finish whatever it was he was doing. I knew the sooner I said what I came to say, the quicker I could make things better for Catarina.
“Yes, I know. Shocked me too,” he said, talking into his phone. “I am not worried. It is something we can discuss later when we meet next month. I am fully aware of my commitments. I will let him know.” With that, Giovanni hung up the phone and looked at me, and asked, “What can I do for you, Reggie?”
Taking the bull by the horns, I didn’t bother dragging this out any further. “I am taking Cat back to California.”
Giovanni sighed, slowly getting to his feet. “I figured it was something like that. I don’t blame you or her. This place isn’t the same anymore. Too many deaths haunt these walls now. When do you want to leave?”
“As soon as we can. She’s barely hanging on, man. I know she says she is fine, but she’s not. I can see it. Everyone can. She barely sleeps now, and if I don’t fix this, it will drive her insane.”
“I will have Marko ready the jet.”
“No,” I interrupted. “Thank you, but I think we need to take a commercial flight. Something normal. Something mundane. It will be easier for her. I hope you understand.”
“I do,” he said, walking over to me as I got to my feet. Before I could say anything more, he was hugging me. Wrapping my arms around him, I returned the hug, knowing this would be the last time for a while that we ever saw each other. I was going to miss him, but I was happy to know that if I ever needed him, he would be there.
Time flew by after that day in Giovanni’s office.
When we landed in San Francisco, I was surprised to find all my brothers welcoming me home. Even Reaper, who gave me one of his rare hugs and formative slaps on the back, was there. Catarina though quiet, seemed happy to see them too. Even engaging in conversation with Chaos as we all rode back to the compound.
One minute I was hugging my family goodbye. The next, I was standing on the deck of my house watching as my brother Massacre and a few of my other club brothers chase Colin around on the beach as he giggled and played.
It was a good day.
The house wasn’t nearly finished enough to move in yet, but we were making headway with help from my brothers. I hoped to have Catarina and Colin moved in by the end of the month. She had told me several times that she was fine staying at the clubhouse.
She may have found a new home in the biker's life, but I still wanted more for her and our son. Since our return, she even opened up and had made friends with the women in the club, especially with Remi, who had been helping her by talking about their shared past.
It wasn’t easy for either of them, but Reaper told me to stay out of it. Remi also had talked Catarina into seeing her therapist, who regularly visited the club.