“It’s not like we’re unused to secrets, around here,” Kelly says, looking pointedly at Leo.
“That’s for fucking sure,” he laughs.
“Come on,” Declan says, tugging Kassie playfully toward his bike, “let’s go.”
One by one, the members of the Devil’s Wraiths and Dante’s Nine hop back on their Harley’s and take off. Only Brooks and I linger behind, taking our sweet time.
“Let’s make a deal that this whole getting-a-gun-pointed-at-you thing doesn’t become a habit, all right Red?” Brooks says, handing my helmet.
“I’m afraid I can’t make any promises,” I laugh, securing the half-shell over my hair.
“When he had you there...Babe, I haven’t been scared like that since I was a kid,” Brooks admits, “I can’t let anything like that happen to you again. I don’t think I could take it.”
“And what about you?” I ask, circling my arms around his waist. “You gonna promise to stay out of trouble, too?”
“Come on,” Brooks laughs, “you see what my world is like. You know I can’t make a promise like that.”
“Then we seem to be at a bit of an impasse,” I smile. “We live dangerously, Brooks. There’s no way either of us can promise to stay safe. We’re wired to take risks. The best we can promise is to try our hardest to keep one step ahead of the game. To make it through.”
“For each other,” Brooks grins, pulling me tightly against him. “I think I can live with a promise like that. Just as long as I’m still allowed to beat down any motherfucker that tries to mess with you.”
“You do you, babe,” I laugh reaching up to run my fingers through his tumbling curls, “But right now, could you just do me a favor and kiss me?”
“You’ll never have to beg a kiss from me, Red,” Brooks says, lowering his lips swiftly to mine. It’s a simple, searing kiss—sealing our promise to live for each other. “Oh, damn...” he mutters, breaking away for a moment, “Should I start calling you Quinn now? Agent Collins?”
“You know...I think Red’s grown on me,” I smile, “Let’s stick with it, shall we?”
Epilogue
San Bernardino FBI Resident Agency
Two weeks later
“Well. Look what the cat dragged in,” grumbles Chuck Jones, as he opens the door of his office to me.
“Nice to see you again too, Chuck,” I laugh, wrapping my mentor up in a big old hug.
“I see you managed to not get shot. That’s good,” he chuckles, giving into my display of affection. “Seriously, Collins. I’m glad you made it through alright.”
“More than alright,” says Mitchell from across the office. He crosses the room to shake my hand. “I take it you’ve had some time to recuperate, Collins?”
I review the past two weeks in my mind. Partying with the MC’s, screwing Brooks every which way, girl time with Kassie and Kelly...
“Yep. Very restorative time,” I grin. “Just what the doctor ordered.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t need a real doctor,” Chuck says, shaking his head. “After that stunt with Bruno...”
“I did what I had to do,” I shrug. “Once I started suspecting Bruno of foul play, I had to find a way to get a confession. He outranks me here. There was no way I was going to take him down on my word alone.”
“I can’t believe how blind I was,” Mitchell mutters, “All through Operation Inferno Bruno was colluding with the Lorenzo’s. And who knows who else over the course of his career. You think you know a guy...”
“You can’t blame yourself, Agent Mitchell,” I tell him, “I just had a...different perspective on the matter.”
“I’ll say,” Chuck laughs. “Our resident biker chick.”
“That’s me,” I wink.
“And the MC’s...they don’t hold it against you, the fact that you were gathering intelligence on them?” Mitchell asks, raising an eyebrow.
“It’ll take time for me to earn their trust back, but it paid off in the end,” I shrug, “Assuming, that is, that the Lorenzo Family will be prosecuted for buying Bruno off?”
“Oh, that they will,” Chuck nods. “We’ve got bank records from Jeff Bruno that will finally provide some hard evidence against them.”
“And Bruno?” I press, “I assume he’s getting locked up?”
“Fuck yes,” Mitchell nods, “His assault against Ms. Taylor alone would be enough to put him behind bars. But his actions against the FBI, against his country...those will keep him locked up for sure.”
“Good,” I say resolutely, “We’re lucky to be rid of him.”
“There’s always one bad seed to spoil the lot,” Chuck says, “but we’ve weeded him out now, thanks to you.”
“You really think there was just that one bad seed?” I laugh, “I’m starting to think that things aren’t as black and white as all that, Jones.”
“We recruit the best people we can,” Mitchell says.
“Of course you do,” I shrug, “But that doesn’t guarantee a damn thing.”
“What are you saying, Collins?” Jones asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“I’m saying...” I begin, trying to choose my words carefully. “I’m saying that I may be having a change of heart, concerning my career.”
I watch as Mitchell and Jones catch my drift. There’s no delicate way to go about this, I guess. But after all that’s happened to me over the course of this case, I can’t just go back to my old life here in San Bernardino.
“Are you saying...you’d like to do something else within the FBI?” Mitchell asks slowly.
“Not exactly,” I tell him with a bittersweet smile, “I’m saying I’d like to explore other options...altogether.”
“You want to leave?” Chuck asks. It breaks my heart to hear the edge of sadness in his voice, “But you just nailed this case, Collins. You could have any assignment you wanted here. Really make a difference.”
“That’s the thing,” I shrug, “I’m not sure if this is where I can make the most of my skills. Make the most of my life. I guess I’m just looking to find the place I’m happiest, gentlemen. And I don’t think that place is at the FBI.”