Page 68 of Reconciling the Consequences

“Jesus Christ!” Marcos swore and stood up. One look at the papers, with their mother’s name next to Mac Taylor’s, had him stalking away from the table.

The tears fell down Kara’s face as she watched her brother’s world crumble. She knew he had the same fantasy she’d had growing up, that deep-down fantasy that a father would appear, would come and save you and give you a better life. Marcos may be forty years old and not a believer in fairy tales anymore, but his world was still shattered.

His father was the president of the rival club that his own club was starting a war with. His father was in jail after being framed by the president of his MC.

Johnny watched Marcos stalk the room with narrowed eyes. He was assessing the man. Assessing a threat or an ally, Kara didn’t know. She did know they were short on time. Johnny spoke up before Kara could. “There’s more,” Johnny stated.

Marcos shot him a look. “More than us sharing the same damn father?” he snapped out.

Johnny shrugged. “We don’t have the luxury of hugging it out and doing the brother shit right now. In case you don’t remember, your club and president have been attacking me and mine. I already lost one brother recently; I don’t plan to lose more.”

Marcos glared at Johnny from across the room, a big, bad biker with a menacing dark-as-night glare.

“Marquitos, please,” Kara said softly.

His gaze snapped to hers at the mention of the nickname. His eyes softened, seeing the tears on her face. “Chaparrita.” He sighed, ran a hand over his dark hair, and swore before he walked slowly back to the table and sat down. “Now what?” he asked.

Johnny leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. “Now we plan how to take down your president and kill two birds with one stone.”

Marcos grinned wickedly. “I’m listening.”

Karawouldneverforgetwhere she was and what she was doing the day everything crashed down around her. She would never forget the last time her world felt normal and things were simple. The one pivotal moment when time and space had no meaning. When she could breathe easy, knowing everyone she loved was safe.

It was that half-assed biker version of a charcuterie board with whisky instead of wine.

It was a forty-year-old paternity test that spelled out the truth.

It was two men she loved more than anything in the world meeting as equals for the first time.

It was a black unmarked police car pulling up in front of the clubhouse.

It was a black-suited corrections officer and Freddy fucking Danvers, walking in side by side.

Kara didn’t need to hear what happened. One look at Danvers’ grim face told her everything she needed to know.

She had failed.

One look at the tall, gray-haired corrections officer told her her whole world was about to be flipped upside down.

Everyone she loved and cherished was about to be in danger.

Time had no meaning in the moments before all hell broke loose. It neither stood still nor sped up, but her whole world crashed down upon her just the same.

Marcos, Johnny, and Kara stood up to greet Danvers and the suit. Blood rushed in Kara’s ears. Her heart pounded. Someone grabbed her hand. Johnny. He squeezed it tightly. “What the fuck is this, Danvers?” Johnny growled.

Kara snapped out of it, took a deep breath, and prepared for crisis.

“The DA filed charges against Vince Carmichael this morning. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Police went to his residence to find he has skipped town. He was tipped off,” Danvers said, resigned.

Kara’s heart sank. “How?” She gasped, knowing damn well it was anybody’s guess.

Danvers shrugged and shook his head. “We don’t know. Winters has every cop in the county combing the streets for him… but chances are he’s out of the country by now.” He sighed.

Johnny growled and turned on the suit. “Who the fuck are you?”

The older man didn’t flinch or even look alarmed by Johnny’s outburst. He gave a grave nod and held up a file folder with the Mourningside County Correctional seal on the front. “My name is Jim Valen,” he introduced himself. “I’m a correctional officer down at Mourningside County Correctional. Are you Johnathan Taylor?”

Johnny could only nod.

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