The crisp autumn wind blew at his back as Austin Vega ran along the boardwalk. It was the beginning of November, and the stores were already ramping up for the holiday season. The second halloween ended, the decorations changed from skulls to Santa, from scary clowns to reindeer, from candy to gingerbread. It was an instant transition that had always baffled Austin.

After he’d been raised on the streets of Harlem, New York, the city of Kenner wasn’t much different in comparison. The police force was just as corrupt, the streets were just as dangerous, and trust was something earned, not given lightly. In spite his rough beginnings, Austin had grown up relatively safely, under the protective eyes of his uncle and cousin. They had helped him through college where he’d studied Criminology with a minor in Computer Science. He’d been interning with NYPD when everything had changed forever.

Running towards the college area of town, Austin tried to push thoughts of the past out of his mind. What had been done was done, and he couldn’t change any of it. All he could do now was focus on the future, which involved a new career as an investigative reporter. He couldn’t fix what was wrong with the law, but he sure could write about it.

The bell chimed as Austin entered Pat’s Irish Pub. Pat McCoy had been in Kenner for as long as anyone could remember. Originally from Belfast, Ireland, Pat was the real deal in every way, and his Irish Coffees were infamous. He was one of Austin’s first friends since he’d moved to the area last year, and he waved over as Austin approached the bar.

“Austin, how’s it going?” Pat asked warmly. “Any big stories lately?”

Austin shook his head as he sat on a stool. “The biggest story lately is that for once, it isn’t raining.”

“That is breaking news indeed! Can I get you your usual?”

“Please,” Austin smiled as he watched Pat reach for the whiskey. He poured it into a glass after adding the ice cubes and slid it across the counter. “I don’t know what’s going on with this place… Did the cops actually do something right and get rid of all the gangs, or are they just hiding?”

“I don’t know, Austin. You know how this place goes… quiet one minute, chaotic the next. I’m sure you’ll find your next story soon enough.”

Austin nodded and looked around the pub. It was a small place, but filled with Irish charm. A pool table took up one corner of the room, along with a dart board on the wall. A couch sat in another corner next to a small stage where musicians often performed, including Austin himself who played classical guitar there once a week.

Hanging on the walls around the pub were some black and white photographs that Austin had never seen before. “Did you get a new artist, Pat? Those pictures are great.”

“Aren’t they? There is a new gallery that just recently opened up down the street. The owner is a young woman named Kira Cortez. She’s a bit younger than you, but obviously very talented.”

“She really is,” Austin agreed, getting up to walk around and look at the pictures closer. “I love this one of the bridge… The waves are really vivid. You can almost feel like you’re there.”

“Well thanks,” a female voice said behind him, making Austin jump. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Austin turned and felt his heart jump as he looked into the woman’s eyes. He could get lost in those intense green eyes that felt like they looked right into his soul. She was a bit shorter than him, standing just up to his shoulder. Her brown hair was done up in a messy pony tail and she wore ripped jeans and a t-shirt that hung off of one shoulder. Austin had to remind himself not to stare.

“You okay over there, buddy?” Pat chuckled, making Austin snap out of it. “You dazed out while you were looking at a couple of pictures.”

“I’m good,” Austin stammered, straightening up as he regained his focus. “You must be Kira.”

“Well, I don’t know if I must be… but yes I am. What are you, some kind of spy?”

Austin laughed at the irony of that. If only she'd known his past. “No, not… anymore,” he cleared his throat and looked from her to Pat for help.

“Don’t look at me. You got yourself into this one. Shovels are in the back,” Pat teased and continued to wipe up the counter.

“Thanks,” Austin rolled his eyes. Looking back at Kira he explained, “I’m an investigative reporter, actually… I was just admiring your work. It’s really breathtaking.”

“I appreciate that. I mostly do sketches but have been recently getting into photography… I guess Pat here told you that I opened up a gallery around the corner? You should come by and check it out.”

“That sounds great. I will definitely come by sometime. Do you have a card or something?”

Kira reached into her jacket and pulled out a business card. She slipped it into Austin’s hand and he couldn’t help but hold her hand briefly while he took the card. “I hope you come by,” she told him, her eyes captivating his.

“You can count on it,” Austin promised as he watched her walk over to Kira. She and Pat discussed something about new pictures coming in next week, and then she headed out of the pub, but not before she sent a wave in Austin’s direction.

Austin walked back over to the counter and sat on a stool, trying to regain his composure as he stared after the door. His fingers still held her card and he caressed it with his thumb, as if caressing her hand.

“You’re in trouble, Austin…” Patrick teased, shaking his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I have absolutely no idea,” he admitted and took another sip of his whiskey that was waiting for him on the counter. All he knew was that he needed to find out more about that woman before the curiosity got the best of him, if it hadn’t already.

2: Chapter 2: Fri., Nov. 3.

Music filled the room as people came in and out of the pub. Friday nights were Open Mic Nights at the Irish Pub, and Austin had been playing guitar and singing there since he’d moved to Kenner. It was a fun night of meeting new people and sharing songs with each other, and of course drinks and food from the pub. It was the perfect way to end a busy week of writing and researching for the newspaper.

Austin was finding it particularly hard to focus tonight as he waited for his turn to go up on stage. He’d already drank a couple of glasses of whiskey and was trying to hold off before the alcohol made it impossible to sing, but his mind was racing constantly. Things had been too quiet lately, and it felt like the calm before the inevitable storm.

Soon it was his turn to go up on stage. He went over and picked up his guitar, sitting on a stool as he positioned himself behind the microphone. He welcomed everyone to the pub and complimented the previous artist before breaking into some classical guitar. He chose to keep things instrumental for now, as he wasn’t feeling confident enough to sing just yet. The crowd was lively and supportive, and Austin did his best to get swept up in the moment and just let the music speak for him.

The door chimed as another customer came in and Austin smiled, noticing Kira had arrived. She was wearing ripped jeans and a grey t-shirt and black jacket, and her hair was done up in a messy pony tail. Austin nodded towards her as he continued to play his last song and she smiled back as she took a seat by the bar.

It was then that Austin noticed a man sitting at the bar as well, and he saw him greeting Kira. The guy had a biker vest on and he was watching Austin very closely while he talked with her. As he finished his set, Austin invited the next artist up and then set his guitar on the stand nearby as he descended off the stage. The biker quickly moved to the other side of the room as Austin approached the bar, making him raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“Hey there. Great job tonight,” Kira greeted him with a smile as he sat down on the stool beside her.

“Thanks,” Austin smiled and looked from her to Patrick. “Can I get an Irish Coffee, man?”

“You bet. Everything alright, buddy? You seem a bit off,” Pat observed as he reached for the bottle of whiskey and began to mix his drink.

“Who was that guy that was here with you guys?” Austin asked, trying not to sound too anxious.

“What’s wrong, jealous?” Kira teased with a smirk, nudging him in the leg with her foot.

“Maybe... Should I be?” He winked back, trying to relax and lighten the mood he was in.

“Not jealous, no… maybe a bit worried though,” she admitted and drank some of her drink. “He seemed pretty interested in you.”

“In me?” Austin asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. He seemed curious about who you were and how long you had been playing here… I tried to get more out of him but then he left when you walked over. Seemed like he didn’t want to talk to you yet,” Kira shrugged.

“Strange… I didn’t recognize him at all. I saw him when I was on stage…” Austin looked over at Pat and asked, “Have you seen him here before?”

“No, I have never seen him before,” Pat said and shook his head. “I’ll keep an eye out though. Want me to go over there and talk to him for you? He’s still here…”

Austin looked across the pub to where the biker was still sitting with a couple of his friends. Turning back to the others he says, “If he wants me, he can come talk to me. I’m not going to sit here and be afraid of him.”

“Good for you,” Kira smiled and then tried to change the subject. “So when are you going to come play at my gallery?”

“At your gallery?”

“Mmhmm. I’d love to have some background music for when people come through the gallery and look at pictures… You could just do an hour block sometime in the evenings, but it would be nice to do some classical instrumental guitar. I’d pay you, if you’re interested?”

“I’m definitely interested,” Austin nodded and clinked his glass to hers. “I’ll come by tomorrow and check out the place. It’s been a busy week, but I look forward to seeing it.”

The rest of the night went peacefully and they enjoyed themselves as they listened to the various artists. At the end of the evening, Austin said goodnight to Pat and Kira and headed out of the pub. As he walked outside he looked back over towards the area where the bikers were once more and noticed that they were gone.

3: Chapter 3: Sat., Nov. 4.

The sun shone brightly as Austin ran along the Riverwalk Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and he was headed to Kira’s gallery to see her place. He couldn’t help but be intrigued by the woman as he ran. Where had she come from? What had brought her to Kenner? Was she here alone or with family? Why photography? There were many questions that filled up his mind about the woman and he hoped to get some answers today. The other question on his mind of course was whether she was seeing anyone or not. He wasn’t the type to just jump in with both feet, but he couldn’t deny that her beauty and her talent were both very attractive qualities.

Austin felt his phone vibrate and muttered at the interruption of his thoughts. Taking the phone out of its holster, he pressed call and held it up to his ear to answer it. “This is Austin.”

“Hey Austin, it’s Patrick. Do you have a moment?”

Looking around on the pier, Austin went over to sit on a bench that was nearby. Into the phone he said, “Yeah, what’s up, Pat?”

“You know that biker that was at the pub last night that you were worried about? He stayed behind after you left… talked with his buddies for a long while. Then he came over to me and started asking questions.”

“Oh? What kind of questions?”

“He wanted to know who you were and how long I’d known you. I didn’t give him any information and told him to talk to you directly.”

“What’d he say to that?” Austin asked, his nerves building slightly.

“He said it wasn’t time for that yet. I got a really strange feeling from him, Austin… I would watch your back if I were you.”

“Thanks… Can you let me know if he comes around again? Did you get anything else from him?”

“Yes, I did. The patch on the back of his vest as he turns said ‘Lost Knights MC’. Be careful… I have heard of these guys. They don’t hold back… Please don’t get messed up with them.”

Austin winced and leaned forward. “Ok… I have no idea what they want with me, but I’ll be careful.”

Hanging up the phone with a sigh, Austin tried to shake off the feeling of growing dread as he walked down the pier towards the gallery. He wasn’t far from it now, and didn’t want to show Kira that he was still obsessing about it. He would do some research on the MC and hopefully figure out what they wanted with him before they found him again.

Austin opened the door to the gallery and walked in. It was a small place, but Kira had decorated it well with various nicknacks from around the beach that were hanging on the walls between the pictures she displayed. Soft jazz music played in the background and there was a sitting area with coffee tables in the corner of the gallery where people could relax and hang out. It felt like walking into someone’s living room and observing their artwork, and Austin had to admit, he was impressed.

Kira was busy with a customer that was looking at one of her sketches on the wall. Austin took the opportunity to walk around and look at everything a bit slower, while his gaze kept going back to them. Kira held herself with professionalism and confidence, and it was clear that she had been doing this a while, though she didn’t look to be much older than eighteen. Her pictures were mostly nature-focused, especially highlighting water and the various reflections the sun made on the waves.

Before long, Kira said goodbye to the customer and walked over to him with a smile. “Hey there… what do you think?”

“This place is incredible, Kira. Really impressive. How long have you been doing this?” Austin asked curiously, turning to look at her.

“A few years now… When I was in high school, I took an art class and really got into it. My teacher said I had potential to make it into a career and I started showing some of my stuff at her gallery… then when my father passed away last year he left an inheritance for me to open my own place and well, here we are.”

“Wow,” Austin shook his head. “I’m sorry about your father. I lost mine as well, but that was when I was young.” He looked around again and said, “You’ve really done a great thing here, Kira. I’m sure he would be very proud.”

“Thanks, Austin,” she blushed a little, and he couldn’t help but think it was adorable. “So you play guitar… what else do you do to pass the time?”

“I write for the Kenner Times, actually. Not exactly what I thought I would be doing with my life a year ago but… life has a funny way of changing your plans, you know?” He chuckled a little. “Actually… I was gonna ask you if you ever thought about taking pictures for the paper. I could use someone to help me out with articles, if you’re interested. Sometimes all it takes is a different eye to see things from a different perspective.”

“That sounds interesting. I could take pictures for you, you could play for me here… that sounds like a reasonable deal,” she said with a grin, stepping a little closer. “Of course, that means that we’d be spending a lot more time together…”

Austin smirked and reached up to trace along her arm, down to her hand. “I have a feeling that isn’t going to be a problem.”

“Oh really?” Kira grinned back, and he could feel the electricity shooting between them as she reached out to touch his waist. “You think we should spend more time together?”

“Mmhmm... much more time," he agreed, squeezing her hand and looking into her eyes. The desire to kiss her right there was strong, but he resisted, knowing he wanted that moment to be perfect. “I take it we’re in agreement?”

“Definitely in agreement. I can work with those terms,” Kira nodded and held his gaze. Austin knew that it was going to be hard to keep his hands to himself around her, but he was going to pace himself and do things right this time. As they stood in the gallery, Austin couldn’t wait to see where things would go between them.

4: Chapter 4: Mon., Nov. 6

The news office was buzzing with activity Monday morning as reporters worked to get their stories written by the deadline at the end of the day. Austin sat at his desk in the collection of cubicles working furiously on his laptop, but not necessarily on anything for work. His mind was on other things, and he was desperate to get some information about the Lost Knights MC.

News clippings and pictures were tacked around the walls of his cubicle as he gathered data. The MC was a big group of about 40 members spread around Louisiana. They had chapters in New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie, and Jefferson. They were notorious for dealing drugs such as methamphetamine, and were known to start brawls and fights in just about any type of business.

“Working on a new story?” A voice came from behind him and he jumped, looking back at his boss. Lincoln Hunter had been the editor of the Kenner Times for at least 20 years and wasn’t the sort to allow just anything to happen in his office. In his late sixties, Lincoln had seen everything and done everything there was to do in the reporter’s business.

“Uh… maybe?” Austin admits, turning in his seat. “Have you heard of these guys?”

“I have, yes. Nasty group of guys… they treat their women like trash and have little respect for anyone who isn’t in their fold. Classic one percenters… Act first, ask for permission and forgiveness later. What tipped you off on them?” Lincoln asked, leaning against the cubicle wall.

Austin debated how honest he should be with his boss, knowing that using the computer for personal use was forbidden. But if there was a story here, and if the MC was indeed coming after him, it would be newsworthy. “To be honest, Sir… It might be a new story, yes. They’ve been showing up at the pub where I play guitar and I just want to be prepared. They’re poking around, and I don’t like it.”

“Austin, are you in trouble? Do you need to get the police involved?” Lincoln asked, his voice full of worry.

“I have no idea… They’ve just been asking around about me, but not come at me directly yet. If they do, I’ll be sure to keep you posted, but for now I just want to know as much as I can about them.”

“What I can tell you for certain is that you don’t want to mess with them. Trust me when I say this, Austin…. Don’t poke that bear.”

“I think the bear’s already been poked, Sir,” Austin sighed and looked back at the computer. His phone rang then and he looked at the caller ID, seeing Kira’s name.

“I’ll let you get that, but try and get some actual work done today, yeah?” Lincoln advised before walking off.

Austin smirked and reached over to put the phone to his ear. Into the receiver he said, “Hey there. How’s my favorite artist?”

“She’s bored and thinking about you…” Kira answered. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Working, kinda…” he chuckled. “I’ve been researching the MC, trying to find out all I can about them. I want to know why they’re suddenly interested in me.”

“Maybe they want you to become a prospect and join them?” Kira suggested.

“I hadn’t thought of that,” Austin admitted. “I don’t really see myself wearing a leather vest and riding around on a bike though, do you?”

“Hmm, well I think you’d look good in leather, but that’s just me.”

Austin laughed and shook his head. “You’re relentless.” He then saw an email coming in and clicked on the subject line, opening up the message. His heart pounded as he read:

“Vega…

The more you search for truth, the more danger you will find. We will come to you when we’re ready. Stop hunting us down. If you go to the cops, you won’t get the answers you seek. The sins of the fathers must be paid for.

LKMC.”

5: Chapter 5: Tues., Nov. 7

Austin spent the next day working on a story about a break in at a local convenience store. He interviewed the owner, employees, the police, and other witnesses that he knew of and was able to get the story out by the deadline easily enough. When Lincoln was happy with his work, he had been released for the day and Austin headed out.

Rounding the corner along the Riverwalk towards the gallery, he noticed a bunch of bikes parked in the front lot. Frowning, Austin picked up his speed and entered the gallery, finding Kira talking with three bikers, two male and one female. They wore LKMC vests and Austin swore under his breath, noticing that the men were definitely armed with guns.

“Look, I honestly haven’t known him for that long…” Kira was saying. “I met him over at the pub, and really that’s all I feel comfortable telling you. If you want to talk to him, then find him yourself. I don’t want to fight his battles for him.”

“We’re not here to fight battles… yet,” the man stated firmly. “Just make sure he knows that we were here.”

“Why don’t you tell me yourself?” Austin asked, approaching them. “And leave my friends the hell out of it.”

“You think you can just waltz in here and tell us what to do?” The bigger man with the enforcer tag on his vest asked firmly, walking over to him.

“You think you can just waltz around and interrogate my friends and scare them?” Austin spat back.

“Guys, please. Stanton doesn’t want us to do anything yet. Just let him be,” the girl stepped in, looking between them.

“Yeah, but he…” the enforcer argued.

“She’s right, brother. It's not time yet. Let’s just go.”

The enforcer shook his head and shoved Austin then, pushing him in the shoulder, making him step back a bit into Kira’s arms. “I’m watching you, boy. Don’t think you can talk me like you own me.”

Austin blinked and looked around, wondering what the heck he had missed. As the bikers left, Kira gripped him tightly and he staggered a bit, regaining his composure. “What the hell was that?” He asked, looking from her to the door.

“Are you okay?” Kira asked with concern, stroking her hands down his arms.

“I should be asking you that. It’s your gallery they barged into. Did they mess anything up or steal anything?” Austin asked, looking around the place to make sure everything was still in order.

“It’s fine… I’m more worried about you.” Kira looked him over, caressing his shoulder where the enforcer shoved him. “Did he hurt you?”

Austin shrugged, but he enjoyed her touch so he let her caress him. “No… but I wouldn’t be opposed to you kissing it better,” he said with a wink.

“You’re relentless,” Kira laughed and slipped her arms around his waist, leaning in against his chest. “I’m glad you came when you did.”

“Me too. I just finished off work, so I thought I’d come over and see you. They were asking about me again?”

“Yeah, they were… They wanted to know everything about how long we’d known each other, where we’d met, anything that I’d tell them… which was nothing.” Kira rubbed his lower back and asked, “Can we please go somewhere else for the evening? I have Mandy here to cover for me,” she nodded towards the back of the gallery where another girl was coming out of the back room.

“We can go anywhere you like. Even if we just walk around town and explore. I just need to get some fresh air after that, and this town is nice at night.”

“That sounds perfect. I still want to explore some too. I’ve been away from here for a while, so it’s good to be home.”

“Where were you before?” Austin asked curiously as he waved to Mandy and led Kira out of the gallery.

“Well I’ve been travelling around with my artwork, mainly in New York, but I came home to take care of my brothers. My mom’s still living with us but… it’s not the greatest of situations, but we’re dealing.”

“Sorry to hear that. If you need anything, I’m here, alright?” He winced though a little as she said she had been in New York. If she recognized him from the newspapers about his incident with the FBI in New York, then she wasn’t letting on about it. If she brought it up he would be honest about his past, but it wasn’t exactly the kind of story to be shared with someone so new.

“What I need right now is this,” she admitted, and reached over to take his hand gently.

“That you can have all you want,” he smiled and held  her hand firmly as they walked down the pier towards the sunset.

6: Chapter 6: Thurs., Nov. 9.

Flames rose above the house as Austin stood on the sidewalk amidst the other reporters and onlookers. Police had cordoned off the area and the fire crew was working tirelessly to put out the blaze. Austin held his phone, recording the scene with audio and visual so that he could write out an article about it when he got back to the office. He had reported enough fires to know that it was important to stay far enough from the smoke so that he would avoid inhaling it in his lungs.

Austin was talking with other onlookers and getting as much of the story out of them as he could. No one had been there when the flames started, but the crowd had obviously formed while the fire grew and the trucks came to take care of things. People did inform him that the homeowner was a detective named Lucas Montgomery, who lived in the house with his wife and children. It was still unknown if anyone was inside the house when the flames went off.

It wasn’t long before a fire fighter came out with a man in his 50s in his arms. Austin inched as close as he could to listen to the crew as they spoke to each other.

“Adult male, late fifties, unconscious from the blaze I’m guessing,” the fireman announced to the paramedic. “We did an aerial search of the place and didn’t find anyone else inside. He was in his bedroom when we found him.”

“Any serious burns?” The paramedic asked as the other began to hook the man up to a portable IV once he was lay down on the stretcher.

“Yes, on his right hand here. Not sure what the cause may have been… But there was a cigarette butt or two on the floor by his bed… We’ll know more when we do overhaul.”

The paramedics went to work bandaging up the man’s hand and getting fluids and pain meds going through him, and the fireman went back to joining his crew at the truck. Before long, the flames were put out and the crew went back into the house to perform overhaul, where they looked over the house for any cause of the fire. Coming out, one of the firemen nodded to the chief grimly and spoke quietly, so that the crowd couldn’t overhear. Austin deduced enough that meant it was arson.

Heading back to the news office, Austin sat behind his desk and started up his desktop. The walls of his cubicle were still covered with articles and pictures of LKMC, and as he started to do research the name of the victim found in the fire that morning, he pinned up a couple of pictures that he found. It turned out that Montgomery was a well-liked detective, which he’d gathered already from the streets, but he’d also been a very busy one.

“How’s the fire story going, Vega?” Lincoln Hunter asked as he leaned against the cubicle wall.

Austin jumped as his boss’s voice startled him and he turned slightly to look at him. “It’s going. I already have the victim’s name. Pretty sure it was arson… but things aren’t adding up. They found cigarette butts near the victim… who by the way is a notorious cop. He’s still alive, just unconscious and on his way to Oschner Medical Centre.”

“Good. That’s a lot of information to gather already. What else are you finding about this guy? Any major cases recently?”

“Nothing notable of late but…” Austin scrolled through links in his archives and stopped as his eyes fell on a line including ‘Dawson Stanton’. “Stanton…” Austin said out loud, clicking on the article.

“Who is Stanton?” Lincoln asked curiously.

“Dawson Stanton…” Austin ruffled through his articles on the wall to find the notes he wanted. Taking the post-it off the wall, he looked up at his boss. “The name ‘Stanton’ was brought up at the gallery the other day when the bikers were asking Kira about me. They said that Stanton wanted them back at the compound, and that they couldn’t do anything to me yet. That they should let me be.”

“Wait… do anything to you? Austin, I told you if you’re in trouble…”

“I know, Sir,” Austin said with a sigh as he looked back at the computer, reading the article further. “It says here that Montgomery was the detective who arrested Dawson Stanton back in 1998. Dawson was the LKMC Vice President before he was arrested for murdering his own enforcer, Kyle Briggs, over a drug deal dispute of some sort.”

“Damn…” Lincoln shook his head. “I knew the LKMC were violent but that’s pretty intense. What else does it say?”

“The trial took several months to be ironed out as several witnesses were brought forward for both sides. Threats were made, more related crimes were committed. The prosecuting attorney was put into protective custody until the trial was completed, and then never heard from again.”

“Really? Who was the attorney?” Lincoln asked as Austin stared at the computer in shock. “Austin?”

“The prosecuting attorney was… my father,” Austin said slowly. “Richard Vega.”

7: Chapter 7: Sat., Nov. 11

The sun set as Austin and Kira walked through Laketown, a park off the coast of Lake Pontchartrain. The park was one of many in Kenner and was clean enough to walk around and enjoy the view of the lake. There was a playground for kids to run around on and a picnic shelter which was rentable for special occasions. The park still had several remnants of Hurricane Katrina, showing trees and structures that were damaged from the storm, but it was one of Austin’s favorite places to go for a run or just to sit and think.

Finding a bench that looked out over the lake, Austin sat down next to Kira, sliding his arm around her shoulders. He had been quiet for most of the evening, and he felt guilty for not being fully present for their date, but his mind was still reeling from what he’d discovered at work the day before.

“Austin… talk to me,” Kira prodded, clearly sensing that something was off. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” he leaned back, stroking her shoulder lightly with his fingers. “I think I need to tell you about my past and I’m just kind of nervous.”

“Why? You know about my Mom and all that… You can tell me anything.”

Austin smiled softly to her. “Okay… I’m only telling you so early in our…” he stammered and corrected himself, “So soon after meeting ‘cause it kinda is coming up now, and might mean trouble if I don’t deal with it soon.”

“You can say ‘relationship’,” Kira smirked a little at him, nudging him in the ribs. “What’s going on?”

Exhaling slowly, partially out of relief but also nerves, he turned to look at Kira. He hadn’t talked about his past with very many people in Kenner, but if they were going to be together romantically, he knew that she deserved to know the truth.

“Before living here, I lived in Harlem, in New York. I grew up on the streets… until I was a teenager and discovered that I had an uncle and a cousin living in New York City. Then I lived with them until I went to NYU, which they helped pay for as my uncle was a wealthy surgeon.”

“What happened to your parents?” Kira asked curiously.

“My mom was an alcoholic… so she wasn’t really all that much of a good influence growing up. She was living with a cop who was pretty ruthless and abusive. I was much better out on the streets,” he says cautiously, gauging her reactions.

“And your father…?”

“My father…” Austin hesitated, leaning forward to rest both elbows on his knees, looking out at the water. “My father died when I was about seven or eight. I thought… And his name showed up in an article I was reading yesterday for work.”

“It did? How?” Kira asked, her voice soft, but he could hear the surprise.

Austin explained to her what had happened at the news office the day before and she sat in stunned silence as she listened. She reached over to stroke his back up and down gently and stayed quiet until he’d finished.

“So what does this mean…? I mean… If I’m understanding this right, you thought your father had died when you were little. That would have been when you were what, three or four?”

“Yeah, about that…” Austin nodded softly.

“Which would have been what, 1998?”

“Yeah. I was born in ’94… and if Dad showed up in an article in ’98…”

“Then I guess he wasn't dead after all. Wow, hon,” Kira shook her head. “That’s a lot for you to process…”

“Yeah… So the MC starts poking around about me… going to my friends for information. Then this fire happens, connected with my father who turns out to be not so dead…” He sighed and looked over at her. “What the hell’s gonna happen next?”

“I’ll be here with you, no matter what,” Kira promised, slipping her hand up to massage his neck. “I know this is new but… I like where it's going.”

Austin turned towards her then, reaching up to caress a stray hair from her face. “I do too,” he admitted, sliding his fingers down to her neck. “And for the record I’m not the kind of guy that splits attention, if that makes sense. I don’t really know what the right way to do this anymore is but… will you… be my girl?”

Kira chuckled and nodded softly, holding his gaze. “Yes, I would like that.”

“So would I,” Austin whispered and leaned in, letting his lips press against hers. The kiss was electric and he felt it all the way to his soul as he let his hand trail down her side to her lower back, just under her shirt. They continued to kiss as the sun went down, and Austin tried to forget about the fear building up inside of him.

8: Chapter 8: Mon., Nov. 13

The sun rose as Austin strolled down the docks in the direction of the diner. It had been a long night and he’d barely gotten any sleep. He needed to work off some of his nervous energy and being by the water usually helped.

He was approaching the entrance of the diner when a strong hand grabbed his arm. “Come with us,” the man ordered. There were two of them, both wearing enforcer vests from LKMC, and Austin had a feeling that the time of reckoning had arrived.

“Look, we can just go and talk… you don’t have to be rough with me,” Austin said, trying to pull his arm away.

The other enforcer drew his gun and pinned it against his back. “Shut up and walk.”

Austin sighed, trying to keep calm as he nodded and followed them to the shack. They shoved him to a chair that was waiting for him beside a barrel that had flames coming out of it. There was a big man waiting for them in the corner of the shack, looking like a tiger ready to pounce on his prey.

“Thanks for joining me, Austin.” The man said as he approached slowly. “As you may or may not have figured out by now… I’m Mitch Stanton.” He looked over at his enforcers then and said, “Tie him up, boys.”

“Is that really necessary?” Austin asked, trying to keep his voice even. “I’m perfectly willing to talk to you here without being forced to. I’m not going anywhere.”

“It’s necessary,” Mitch nodded and the men tied Austin’s arms behind him, patting him down for weapons. They took his phone out of his pocket along with his wallet and threw them over to Mitch before stepping back, leaning against the wall to keep watch.

“Now then,” Mitch began, walking over to him. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Austin Vega.

“I can’t say that I feel the same, but it’s good to finally put a face to the name I’ve been reading about.”

“Cut the crap,” Mitch said firmly, kicking his leg with his foot. “Your father is Richard Vega?”

“He was…” Austin hesitated.

“What do you mean, ‘was’?”

“He died when I was young. At least that’s what I was told before my mother died too…”

“Did I ask for your life’s story?” Mitch asked. “All I care about is your father. There’s no way Rich Vega is dead.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. We can go over to the cemetery and dig up his bones if you don’t believe me.”

Mitch gave another nod and then Austin flinched as one of the enforcers came over and took a swing at him. “I don’t believe you,” Mitch said coldly as Austin sucked in a breath from the pain.

“I’m not lying,” Austin seethed. “Last I knew he was in the Providence Memorial Park Cemetery. If you let me go, I can take you there right now.”

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me the damn truth!” Mitch yelled as the enforcer took another swing, nailing Austin in the ribs with his fist. “When did you last see your father?” Mitch asked.

“When I was four. He’d just given me a police car for my birthday and then he and mom had a big fight and he left. I haven’t seen or heard from him since. Mom told me later that he died and wasn’t coming home.”

The two enforcers let in on him then, from another nod of command. They made connection with his eye, his ribs and then busted his kneecaps. Still tied up, he died his best to stay upright and not collapse. Finally, Mitch came and untied him and lifted him up by the underarms.

“You better hope I don’t find out you’re lying to me, boy. I’ve waited too damn long for him to surface and my sources tell me he’s in Louisiana. Clearly though, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree when it comes to spreading bullshit.”

“Look," Austin stared in his face, his body shaking from the pain. “I’m telling you the truth as I know it. If you don’t believe me, that’s on you.”

“I will find him,” Mitch promised. “And if he tells me he’s been in contact with you, you’re next.”

“Good luck with that, unless you have a way to talk with dead people,” Austin rolled his eyes, still finding some level of mental strength inside him, in spite the fact that his muscles were burning with pain.

Mitch glared at him more and swung his fist at Austin’s eye, making him fall down to the ground from the force of it. He winced at the pain, looking up at the man who was clearly seething with anger. “You’re going to wish you had shut up when you had the chance.” He kicked at Austin’s side then, making him gasp in pain. He then reached for his phone and dialled a number, then said into the receiver, with a faked concerned voice, “We need an ambulance at the shack by the diner. There’s this guy here that’s in pretty rough shape. I think he was in a fight or something. You better come quick!” He hung up the phone then and kicked Austin once more. “You’re welcome for not leaving your ass here to bleed to death.” With that, he and the enforcers left him laying there as everything went black.

9: Chapter 9: Mon., Nov. 13

Checking the address again that Kira had given him, he knocked on the door and waited. He knew he looked awful with bruises not only all over his body but a black eye and scrapes on his face from being tossed around by the MC interrogation. It was a few hours later and he had been through ER and released home with medication for the pain. The doctor had asked if he wanted to report the incident to the police, but Austin insisted that he was fine. He took Stanton’s threats seriously and didn’t want to make things worse than they already were by going against his wishes.

Kira opened the door and looked him over once before stepping outside on the front porch, closing the door again. “What the hell happened to you?” She asked with worry, sliding her hands down his sides as if to check for injuries.

“I’m sorry babe… I knew that you really wanted to have this night in with your family, and didn’t want to cancel. But this just… happened and…”

“Sit… talk to me. Do you need ice or something?”

Austin shook his head and followed her to the porch swing. He took a deep breath and then explained everything that had happened at the shack, how the MC had interrogated him about his father and how they hadn’t believed when he’d said that the man was dead, for all he knew. Kira listened with worry all over her face, but stayed quiet as she usually did, waiting with her comments or questions until he was finished.

“Babe, you have to tell the police,” she insisted, looking in his eyes as she reached up to trace his cheek with her thumb.

“I can’t, Kira. Mitch insisted that if I do that, it’ll get worse. I’m already down this rabbit hole… do you want me to bury myself further?”

“I don’t like you dealing with this by yourself either though. I wish there was something else I could do. Maybe you could give me the descriptions of these guys and I can draw sketches, and then I could bring them to the cops? Then you’re still not the one who asked for help.”

Austin sighed and looked at her, considering. “If I do this, and you draw their sketches, maybe I can bring them around the pub, make sure that Patric knows about it… and then maybe if there’s cops there that see them then it’s not my fault that way too…”

“I’d feel better knowing you had him on your side, for sure.” Kira reached down and took his hand in hers. “Let’s go inside, I’ll introduce you to my brothers and we can get you cleaned up… and then I can draw the sketches.”

Nodding, Austin followed Kira into the house. It was a bungalow with a foyer in the front that opened up into a kitchen and dining room area. The living room was off to the right and then there was a hallway that led to some bedrooms and a bathroom. As she showed Austin around the house, he noticed that it was definitely small but they had done a good job at making it feel like a home. There were pictures on the wall, but none of them included a father figure. He wasn’t terribly surprised, but he didn’t comment on it because it was still a bit of a sore subject for both of them.

Kira’s brothers weren’t anywhere to be found so she texted them and discovered they were still out with friends at the gym playing basketball. Taking the opportunity, Kira led Austin to the bedroom where she helped him take off his shirt. He had several bruises and scratches on his body, he knew, and she stroked them each lightly with her finger.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, babe…” she said softly, stroking around his biceps, where there were tattoos banded around his arm. “What are these about?”

“Well one…” Austin started as he slowly reached down and pulled at her shirt’s waistline. “Is for my mother… because even though she didn’t raise me like I deserved, she was my mother, and I want to remember her.”

“I like that,” Kira smiled, lifting her arms for him to lift the shirt up over her head. “And the other one?”

“For my dad,” he said simply, trying to hide the bitterness. “Who apparently is still alive somewhere… maybe…” he sighed, not knowing what to believe anymore.

Kira slid her fingers around his waist, tugging at his belt. “Shh…” she leaned forward and kissed his neck, as she pulled him in close. “Don’t think… just forget about it all for tonight… There’s nothing you can do about it right now.”

Austin nodded softly, knowing she was right. He slid his hands down to the back of her bra and unclasped it, kissing her shoulder. “Mmhmm… are you gonna join me in the shower?”

“If you’re inviting…” She whispered back, lifting her arms again so he could drop the bra down off of her.

“I am,” he moaned against her ear, tugging her by the waist towards the washroom. For the first time in a while, he felt himself relax and feel like nothing could penetrate his secure circle of safety that he found himself in.

10: Chapter 10: Tues., Nov. 14

Austin looked out at the bayou around him as he sat on his back deck. He had been processing everything that had happened and what it now meant, and he had been up most of the night fearing what might come. He had spent the night doing more research on his father and looking for any evidence of him being alive since he’d disappeared from the family all those years ago. He knew that Stanton wasn’t lying, thanks to the articles he’d found, but why was Mitch so insistent on finding his father this many years later?

Unable to stop the questions from flooding his mind, Austin got up and went back into the house to grab his keys. Sitting around the house wasn’t an option. He had to do something. Blitz followed him to the door, mewing her opinion of him leaving her alone again, and Austin leaned down and pet the cat.

“I’m sorry, girl. There’s somewhere I gotta be,” he told her before heading out the door.

Austin drove to Providence Memorial Cemetery and parked in one of the visitor’s lots. There were no other cars there but the gate was wide open, so he walked in towards the graves and wandered around quietly. He had been there enough times to know where his father’s grave was. Or at least, where the tombstone was, he corrected himself. He followed the rows to the edge of the gardens in the back of the cemetery. His father’s stone was one of the last in the group.

Kneeling down in front of the stone, Austin read the letters to himself out loud. “Richard Lee Vega. 1958-1995. Beloved Husband and Father.” The dates matched his mother’s story, but he scoffed at the word ‘loving’. “Really, Dad?” Austin asked out loud. “If you were so loving… where the hell have you been the last twenty years when I needed you the most?”

As if a voice answered from the grave, Austin suddenly heard someone say, “Austin.”

Blinking, Austin looked down at the grave. “Great, now I’m hearing things,” he muttered to himself.

“Son, turn around.”

It was then that Austin turned to see a man standing behind him. He looked exactly like Austin imagined his father would look. Austin inhaled sharply. The tiniest of feathers could have knocked him over. “Dad…?”

“Hello, son. I’m sorry to just show up here like this… I figured it might be the safest.”

Austin was still speechless, looking from him to the gravestone, back to the man in front of him. “You wanna explain this?”

“Yes, I do. I’d like to explain a lot of things, if you’ll allow me to.” Richard stepped closer and looked him over. “What a man you’ve become!”

“Okay, I officially need a drink,” Austin admitted. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve stood here thinking about you? Wondering what really happened to you?”

“I know, Austin,” Richard nodded. “I had heard about what happened with the Lost Knights… I called the groundskeeper here to let me know when you were here again.”

“How long have you been here in Kenner?”

“Not long. Come on, let’s go talk somewhere and have a drink. It’ll make this a whole lot easier.”

Austin suggested they go to the bar around the counter and they found a booth to sit at. He wasn’t ready to take his father to the pub yet where he spent most of his time. After ordering a couple of beers, Austin looked across at his father for the first time since he was little and waited for him to explain himself.

"Let me start by saying that I don't expect anything here,” Richard began. “I know this is all coming out of left field for you. I’ve been wanting to see you for a long time, but I wasn’t sure how you would respond. I don’t know what your mother told you.”

“She told me that you died when I was little,” Austin replied. “She didn’t really explain the details, I just always accepted it as the truth.”

“Let me explain what IS truth then,” Richard drank some of his beer, looking at him. “When you were about four I was working as a lawyer against a powerful motorcycle club called the Lost Knights MC. I assume by now you’re familiar with them?”

“Yeah, we’ve been acquainted…” Austin pointed to his right eye that had met with Stanton’s fist, and rolled up his sleeves to show his father the bruises from the fight in the shack.

“Damn, Son…” Richard winced, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. That is my fault. They asked about me, I assume?”

“They did, but I’m not the one explaining things yet,” Austin replied pointedly, leaning back again.

“Right, sorry. Okay, well I was working on a case against the Lost Knights. Dawson Stanton was the MC Vice President at the time and he was being charged with murder of his own officer, Kyle Briggs. There was some drug dealing going on and I guess they had argued about how much was going to this other MC and well one thing led to another and Kyle got killed. Needless to say, the Briggs were pissed and Stanton was arrested.”

Austin nodded, glad that at least his father’s story was matching up with what he’d read in the news report. “Go on…”

“The LKMC started coming after me. They were livid that I sent their VP to jail… and vowed to get revenge on me and anyone I cared about if I didn’t leave town. So I did… I left and went to New Orleans. Little did I expect that the LKMC would open up a chapter here in Kenner, and that Mitch Stanton would become the VP of said chapter.”

“So you just left… thinking it was better to leave your son with an addicted mother? Who by the way then started dating a rogue cop who beat the living shit out of me? I couldn’t stay there anymore. When I was twelve I moved out and lived on the streets until my cousin Brent and his father Karl took me in. Your brother, I guess?”

Richard nodded. “Yes, he informed me that you were living with him. I tried to keep tabs on you as best as I could, son. I sent him money as often as I could to make sure you were well-cared for. I’m sorry that your early years were not more pleasant though… You deserved better than that.”

“You’re damn right I deserved better!” Austin tried to hold back the anger but he couldn’t. “So what now? They figure out you’re in New Orleans so they start poking around? Beat the shit out of me and suddenly your great plan of keeping me safe has backfired?”

“Pretty much,” Richard nodded with a sigh. “I honestly thought that Louisiana was far enough away from all of this… turns out I was dead wrong, and now I’ve put you in the middle. Which is exactly what I’ve been trying to avoid this entire time.”

Austin ran a hand through his hair and stood then. “I need to… process this. I can’t… I’m sorry. Can I have your number so that I can contact you sometime? After I’ve had a few days?”

Richard reached into his pocket and handed his business card over. “Of course. Take the time you need. I am sorry for all of this… Like I said, I don’t expect you to welcome me with open arms, but I do hope that we will be able to get past this and you’ll give me another chance to be the father I should have been.”

“Give me time,” Austin said softly, trying to hold in the emotion as he took the card and then headed out of the bar.

11: Chapter 11: Wed., Nov. 15

The sun was starting to set as Austin pulled into Sandros Trattoria’s parking lot. It was a small Italian place in a strip mall on Veterans’ Memorial Blvd. and the inside was designed to look like a Tuscan villa. Austin had been there a few times before and loved their food and atmosphere, so he had suggested it as a place to take Kira out for dinner. They needed some time together and he also desperately needed her help in processing everything that had been going on.

Kira looked beautiful tonight with her black dress hanging down around her knees, its straps thin over her shoulders and the neckline showing off just enough cleavage to make Austin weak at the knees. He reached out to put his hand on her lower back as he guided her into the restaurant and they were led to a table. Ordering a bottle of Merlot, they sat down and read over the menu together.

“I’m feeling steak and potatoes tonight, what about you?” Austin asked, looking down the list of entrees.

“That sounds delicious, but I think I'm in the mood for some seafood…” Kira said and they ordered their meals as the waiter came. When they were alone again Kira asked, “So how are you feeling with everything going on? You seemed quiet last night when we texted.”

“Yeah… it’s a lot to process and I’m really not sure how I feel, to be honest.” Austin leaned back, looking across the table at her. “It was awkward as hell, but I mean… at least he told me the truth eventually. But it’s going to take time to trust him…”

“I’m sure he doesn’t expect to be allowed to just jump back into your life, babe. He’s been out of it for almost twenty years… Did you guys talk about what happens now?”

“Not really,” Austin shrugged. “I told him I needed time to process things. I mean what, I’m supposed to just be happy he’s back and be in touch with him constantly? No…” He shook his head. “I mean… you’ve had your mom your whole life… I’ve never really had any parents growing up. I’m not… really sure how it works.”

“I'm not really the best one to talk to about a healthy parent relationship,” Kira admitted. “My mom isn’t exactly the most stable role model.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help…” he starts, looking at her with concern as their drinks arrived. “I’d be more than happy to hang out with the boys, and you really should see if she can get some professional help. Like from a medical expert of some sort.”

“You don’t think I haven’t tried?!” Kira exclaimed, shooting upright in her chair. The passion and anger was clear in her expression. “We’ve taken her to see all sorts of doctors, but no one can do anything. We don’t have the money to just send her to a clinic. We barely have enough money to support the medication she needs. We don't even have enough money for insurance.”

“Well, Dad’s a lawyer… maybe he could…”

“Are you kidding me? Suddenly you’re advocating for him and trying to fix everything? It doesn’t work that way, Austin. I was doing just fine before you came into my life.”

“Woah, easy.. I don't mean to just fix everything,” Austin held up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t know, babe. I’m just trying to…”

"I know what you’re trying to do, but give me some credit for having done all I can in this situation. She won’t get help; she refuses and there’s nothing I can do to change her mind. So can we just drop this? Please?”

“Consider it dropped,” he said with a sigh, sitting back in the chair.

They sat in awkward silence until the food arrived and then they began to eat. Austin could tell that he’d pushed a button, but he wasn’t sure how to fix it. He made random comments about the weather and the food as they ate and eventually the waiter came and took their plates. Austin offered to get dessert, but Kira wasn’t in the mood for it so he simply paid for the meal.

Standing, Austin remembered a pavilion out on the deck that was behind the restaurant. He held out his hand and asked, “Come with me?”

“Where are we going?” Kira asked curiously.

“Trust me.” With that, he led her out of the restaurant and out to the pavilion. There were lights hung up around the posts and the water was a clear blue under the moonlight. He couldn’t have painted a more romantic setting. “Dance with me?” He asked, trying not to beg.

Looking around, Kira took it all in and then squeezed his hand. “Sure.”

They danced under the moonlight as the music from the speakers played softly in the background. It was stiff at first but eventually Kira relaxed into his arms and let him hold her close. Austin breathed in the moment, dancing slowly with her.

“I’m sorry, babe… I shouldn’t have meddled,” he said softly eventually.

“You were worried, it’s okay. Just… remember I’ve had to basically run the household most of my life. I have tried everything.”

“I know.” He brushed her hair back from her face and looked into her eyes. “I’m proud of you for how you’ve raised those boys.”

“They’re great kids, and they like you a lot.”

“That’s good to hear. It’s definitely mutual.”

As they danced, they continued to talk about their families and enjoyed each other’s company. Austin felt like no matter what happened next, he could handle it with her by his side.

12: Chapter 12: Fri., Nov. 17

It was Friday night again and Austin was playing his usual set at Patrick McCoy’s pub. The room was filling up quickly as he moved towards the halfway point of his show, where he usually took a brief ten minute break to get a drink and rest his fingers before continuing on. He had been playing some celtic tunes tonight that seemed to get the crowd going, and he was happy to see that he was being well-received.

Kira was there, sitting at the bar wearing jeans and a black t-shirt with a jacket as always. She was working away in her sketchbook and looked like she wasn’t paying attention, but Austin knew that she was listening to every word.

Announcing his intermission, Austin stepped off the stage and walked over to Kira at the bar. Patrick held out a tall glass of whiskey for him and greeted him. “Hey man, sounding great tonight.”

“Thanks,” Austin smiled as he took the glass. “Glad it’s going so well. We’ve got a pretty big crowd tonight.”

“Indeed we do,” Patrick nodded with a grin. “I’ve been hearing a lot of good compliments about you here while you play.”

“That’s great!” Austin beamed and leaned over to kiss Kira on the cheek. “Hey you. Enjoying yourself?”

“Mmhmm, I’m getting lots of drawing done,” Kira smiled and closed her sketchbook protectively.

“You’re sounding great up there, Son,” Austin heard his father’s voice behind him and he turned around to face him. “I hope it’s alright that I came.”

“Hey, yeah…” Austin said awkwardly. “Um… Dad, this is my girlfriend, Kira. Kira, my… dad.” Even just saying the phrase out loud seemed unreal.

Kira simply nodded to Richard and gave him a brief, “Hi.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Kira. This is a great place here. We had a place like this in New York… used to love it.”

“It’s a great place to hang out. Great drinks…”

“I don’t want to cramp your styles… I just wanted to come say hi. Come find me when you’re done, son? Maybe we can get a drink and talk some more.”

“Sure,” Austin nodded and watched as his father turned to go back to his seat in the corner of the bar. Looking over at Kira, Austin sighed and said, “I’m still getting used to the fact that he’s here…”

“That's gonna take some time, babe,” Kira sympathized. “Don’t push yourself faster than you’re ready.”

Austin slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a side hug. “Thanks, sweetheart. I guess I should get back up there.” He kissed her forehead and then went back up on stage to continue his set.

When he was finished, he said goodnight to Kira as she left to go back home. He then went to find his father and Richard suggested they take a walk to get away from the crowds. As they were leaving out the back door to take the easiest route to the Riverwalk though, they suddenly were surrounded by several men in vests. Several of them were armed and advancing as the circle closed in around them. Austin quickly reached to put a hand on his father’s arm, knowing that neither of them had a weapon on them. At least he’d figured they didn’t. Austin recognized a couple of the bikers, especially Mitch Stanton who was advancing forward toward them.

“Well, well, nice to see at least one of you can tell the truth,” he said spitefully, glaring at Richard more than Austin. He took his gun out and pointed it at Richard. “We meet again at last.”

“Mitchell.. It’s been a long time,” Richard said calmly. “Why don’t you call off your sentries and put the gun down, and we’ll talk like men.”

“Oh, you lost that chance a long time ago, old man,” Mitch shook his head. “It’s time to pay for what happened now. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

“Now Mitch,  you know that this wasn’t my fault… your father did what he did, I was merely pointing it out to the judicial system.”

“Don’t you start throwing out your fancy words at me. One of you has to pay for me losing my father all those years in jail…” Mitch pointed the gun between them and asked, “Which’ll it be?”

“Come on, Mitch,” Austin found his voice and tried not to sound like he was pleading too desperately. “I get it… I lost my father for years because of this shit too. Isn’t that payment enough?”

“You think it’s at all the same?!” Mitch exclaimed, his anger rising. “My father was just killed in jail for who knows what reason! You think I can get those years back like you can? I can’t, Vega. He’s gone, and it’s your fault.”

“Hey, I didn’t pull that trigger,” Richard put his hands up in the air. “I’m sorry for your loss, but you cannot put that on us.”

“Mitch,” Austin put in. “Let me investigate what happened? I can look into it and find out what happened, but you’ve gotta let me go to the police, since it happened in jail. But if you do, I won’t tell them about our little meeting here.”

“You would do that?” Mitch asked, suddenly looking surprised.

“Yeah, I would. If it means we can finally put this all behind us.”

“Alright then, I’ll give you a week. If you don’t come up with something by then, we’ll be having a whole other type of conversation,” Mitch insisted and stepped forward, pressing the gun against Austin’s forehead. “I mean it. You cross me, Austin, I pull the trigger. Get me?”

“I get you,” Austin inhaled deeply. “I know you’re not messing around. Just let us go.”

Mitch shoved Austin back a bit and Richard caught him in his arms. “Get to work, Vega.”

With that, the Lost Knights backed off, and Mitch led them back out to the parking lot where they got on their bikes and rode off. Austin took a few deep breaths, looked over at his father, who was still looking off in the direction where the bikers had left.

“See what I mean? They aren’t gonna let this go, Dad.”

“I know, Son. I’m sorry to put you in the middle of this… I guess I was naive to think that leaving would make things easier for you and your mother…”

“I’ve got work to do. We’ll have to put a rain check on that drink,” Austin insisted and then ran a hand through his hair nervously before waving to his father and heading to his truck. The sooner he was able to discover the truth of what happened, the sooner he’d be able to leave it all in the past and move on with his life.

13: Chapter 13: Sat., Nov. 18

The next morning, Austin walked into the Kenner Police Department and went up to the front desk. He hated coming to the police station as it brought back too many memories from a failed career that hadn’t ended well, but he knew that he had no choice but to consult them. Going up to the front desk, he looked at the woman sitting there and asked, “Hi… This is going to seem like a strange request but I’m hoping you can help me out.”

“Well, that’s what we’re here for, darlin’,” the woman smiled. “What can I help you with?”

“I need to speak with the detective working on Dawson Stanton’s murder. I have new information that is pertinent to his case and the detective may find it useful.”

The woman blinked and looked up at Austin with surprise. “Just one moment, Sir. I’ll call for him to come down.” She then reached for her phone and called up to the detective’s office and called for Detective Brad Parker.

A few seconds later, a man walked down the stairs. He was in his mid-50s and his head was completely bald. He looked in Austin’s direction and raised an eyebrow. “You have information on Stanton’s case?”

“I do, sir, and I’d be grateful if we could speak about it in your office.”

“Follow me,” the detective invited and led him up the stairs towards the detective unit. Several other detectives were working at their desks and looked up with curiosity as they walked in, but then went back to their work. Detective Parker led him to a room with a couple of tables and some filing cabinets along one of the walls and closed the door, inviting him to sit across from him. Austin sat and the detective leaned forward, his expression curious. “Why don’t you tell me what you know?”

Austin explained everything that he could, explaining that his father had been the prosecuting attorney against Dawson Stanton, back in 1998. He explained how his father had been gone for most of his life and then recently resurfaced within the past few months. The detective listened closely and as Austin explained that his father, and he, wanted to help where they could in the investigation of the man’s murder in jail, he relented and welcomed the assistance.

They poured over case notes for the next couple of hours as the detective walked Austin through what they knew, which was very little. Security cameras in the jail had been tampered with moments before the murder, and there had been no evidence discovered in the cell left behind by the killer, who had been careful to cover his tracks.

As they looked over pictures of witnesses and family members, Austin stopped the detective and pointed at a girl who he recognized. “Her… Who is she?” he asked curiously.

Parker studied the picture and said, “That is Mitch’s sister, Kelly Stanton. She’s in the MC as well… don’t think she’s an officer or anything though. She refused to talk to us though… so good luck if you want to go that route.”

“I remember her. She and some of their other members were at my girlfriend’s art gallery recently. She seemed like she was one of the few that were willing to stand up to Mitch.”

“You know Mitch Stanton?” Parker asked, looking up at Austin with surprise.

“In passing more than anything,” he corrected himself, realizing his mistake. “I think I’d like to talk to her though. She may be able to tell us something useful.”

“You’re welcome to it, but I doubt you’ll get very far,” Parker shrugged and gave him the girl’s number.

On his way out of the station, Austin dialled Kelly’s number, but the girl refused to speak over the phone. She asked if they could meet up at Heritage Park and talk in person, and Austin arranged a time with her, feeling like he was finally making some progress.

14: Chapter 14: Mon., Nov. 20

Austin went to Heritage Park Monday afternoon and went for a run an hour ahead of the time he was supposed to meet Kelly in order to calm his nerves. He hoped that the girl would be open about what she knew, and had a feeling that she was the secret to all of their questions.

He rounded the corner towards the meeting spot that they’d agreed on, near a fountain in the corner of the park that was secluded by some trees, and sat down on a bench to wait for Kelly. She arrived and sat down on the bench, introducing herself. She wasn’t much older than he was and had long black hair, similar to her brother’s. The family resemblance was clear from close up, as were the girl’s nerves.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t want to do this but… I know you deserve better than you’ve been treated too,” she finally said after they’d talked about the weather to relax both of their nerves.

“I appreciate it, trust me,” Austin insisted. “If we can help the cops solve your father’s murder… maybe then we can all move on and stop letting the past haunt us.”

“Mitch is getting scary,” she admitted. “He’s insisting on getting revenge on you and your Dad for putting our dad in jail. I wish he’d just let it go, but I know better than that… He’s had this vendetta against you since your dad disappeared and wouldn’t help him…”

“It was his job, Kelly. He was the prosecutor. What was he supposed to do?”

“I know… but that doesn’t mean much to my brother. He figures your father took ours away from us and then eventually it led to his death.”

“That’s not really his fault either. And besides… I lost my father because of all this too, but Mitch doesn’t care that he wasn’t the only one who suffered in all of this.”

“Mitch won’t accept that Dad killed Kyle Briggs back in 1998, Austin. He doesn’t want to believe it, and he thinks the jury was rigged but… I have evidence that proves Dad was guilty.”

Austin blinked at that, surprised. “You what?”

Kelly reached into her pocket and took out a VHS and gave it to me. “Do you have anything you can play this on?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do. What is on here?” he asked, taking the tape.

“Just… watch it. It’s proof, and it’ll help the detective working on Dad’s murder know who killed him. I have a feeling that the threats given in this tape were finally followed through on in that jail cell.”

Austin put the tape in his coat pocket and shook his head, still trying to process what he was hearing. “Why just tell us now?” he asked, unable to hold back the question.

“I’m tired of being a puppet, Austin. I’m tired of being the only one who knows the whole truth, and I’m tired of living in fear of the men in my family. I’m done, Austin, and I want to have my life back before all this stuff got in the way.”

Taking a deep breath, Austin stood. “I really appreciate this, really. I can’t even tell you how much.” He took his wallet out and handed her $500 in bills. “In reward for the information… it feels small, but it’s what we could afford.”

Kelly took the money with wide eyes. “Wow, thank you… this will be more than enough to get me started on my own once I leave the MC. Thank you, Austin.”

Austin shook her hand and then headed out of the park, eager to see what was on the tape he now had in his possession.

15: Chapter 15: Mon., Nov. 20

In the detective’s office an hour or so later, Austin sat with Detective Parker and watched on the VHS player as Kyle threatens Dawson shortly before Dawson kills him. Kyle, his brother, and several others from their family were seen in the video as being involved in the fight with Dawson, and Parker took it as his cue to go find Nigel Briggs, Kyle’s brother, and find him.

Austin went back to Kira’s house to wait for news. When the phone rang an hour later, Austin was surprised to find that it wasn’t actually Kenner Police Department, but the police department in New York.

“Director Vance… this is a surprise,” Austin said in the phone as he walked out onto the back deck, excusing himself from the others.

“Hello Austin, I am sure that it is… Listen, I believe that we may have misjudged your efforts when we let you go so harshly earlier this year. I had blamed you for using ulterior methods of investigation on the Bartlett case, but as I have been investigating it myself… I realize that it was in fact not the reality.”

Austin sighed, remembering the case well. They had blamed him for taking time out of his work to be at the strip club that had been under investigation, and that he had been getting a bit too personal with some of the staff, when in reality he hadn’t been spending any extra time there at all. What he had been doing was gathering intel, and keeping vivid notes and using his impeccable memory to recall facts when asked upon them later.

“No doubt you have not forgiven me for my accusations, Austin… and I am sure you have made a life for yourself there in Kenner. I just spoke with Detective Brad Parker who gave me a shimmering reference of your skills and your involvement in the capture of Dawson Stanton’s murderer.”

Austin blinked, leaning against the railing on the deck. “I uh… That is nice to hear, Sir,” he stammered, unsure what to say.

“I would like to offer you your position back with us here at NYPD. If you are willing, the job would involve an increase in payment and a better office in which you can work. It would be an hour to have you back, Austin. And I hope we can put all this nasty business behind us.”

Austin inhaled, looking back towards the house. Could he just leave everything that he had built here? His friends, his father, and the woman that he was deeply in love with? Not to mention her two brothers, who had become like his own family? But on the other hand, Austin also couldn’t see how he could turn the position down either. He took a deep breath and instantly knew what he had to do.

After finishing the conversation with Director Vance, Austin walked back into the house and gestured for Kira to join him out on the deck. He told her about the offer and how it would be a huge advancement in his career.

“So you would just leave? After all this time, after everything we’ve been through you’d just go at the first sign of something better?” Kira asked incredulously.

“It’s not like that, honey. I couldn’t turn this job offer up. It’s the biggest opportunity I’ve ever been given. It’s a real shot, something I’m really good at and something I love to do. I couldn’t say no.”

“You… you already said yes, didn’t you?” Kira asked, tears forming in her eyes though he could tell she was fighting it.

“I’m sorry babe. I figured we could do long distance… and we could still…”

“No, you thought for yourself, and not about us at all,” Kira shook her head, looking away.

“Kira, please…” Austin tried, but he knew that she was right. He had chosen his career over them, but it had been an impossible choice that he didn’t see any other way around. “I need to do this.”

“Then I need to do this,” she said and turned around, walking back into the house without another word.

Austin sighed heavily and knew better than to run after her. He got into his vehicle and started the engine, driving off. When he got home, he called his father and told him about what had happened. His father was sympathetic, and seemed to understand all too well.

“You have to do what you feel is right, son… You’re young, but this career opportunity is too important. It is a big honor that you’ve been welcomed back.”

“I know, and that’s how I see it too,” Austin agreed as he spoke into the receiver, leaning back against the couch. “I just hope she’ll be able to forgive me..”

“Eventually, son… For now, though, just know that I am deeply proud of you.”

“Thanks Dad,” Austin said with a sigh. He wished that he could feel the same pride, but all he felt as he hung up the phone was confusion and regret. Whatever came, though, he knew that he had to move forward and leave his past behind him. He knew that was the only way he could truly heal.