Chapter 8: The Departure
The station wagon idled by the rear service entrance of the diner, its exhaust pluming white clouds into the freezing night air. The rain had stopped, leaving behind a slick, reflective glaze on the asphalt that mirrored the amber glow of the security light above the back door.
Brick stood by the passenger-side door, holding a heavy wool blanket to wrap around Leo once he climbed inside. Diesel and Crow were positioned at the corners of the alley, their eyes scanning the darkness toward the main coastal highway where the distant hum of traffic sounded like a low, continuous growl.
Clara stood by the driver's side door, clutching her heavy winter coat tightly around her throat. She looked from Brick to the other men, and finally to Jax, who stood leaning against the brick wall of the diner with his arms crossed over his leather vest.
""You're not coming with us?"" Clara asked, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features.
""If we all roll out together, they'll see the whole convoy and follow us to the cabin,"" Jax explained, his voice calm and deliberate. ""We're going to split the deck. You and Leo take the back roads through the ridge. Brick and Diesel will ride two miles behind you to make sure nobody's riding your bumper. Me and Crow are staying right here to welcome our visitors if they decide to check the diner tonight.""
Clara swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on the car keys. ""And if they don't come tonight?""
""Then we meet at the crossroads diner outside of Redding tomorrow noon,"" Jax said, stepping forward and placing a heavy, warm hand on Clara’s shoulder. The gesture was entirely devoid of pretense—firm, grounding, and absolute. ""You're safe now, Clara. Ray's debt was paid in full the day he stood up to those bastards on the docks. It's time the rest of us settled the interest.""
Leo rolled down the back window of the station wagon, leaning his small head out into the cold night air. In his hands, he held the ceramic lighthouse coin bank like a shield.
""Keep the change,"" Leo whispered, offering a faint, serious smile.
Jax looked down at the boy, a rare, deep warmth breaking through the weathered lines of his face. He reached out and tapped the glazed roof of the lighthouse with his knuckle.
May you like
""Drive safe, kid,"" Jax said softly. ""We'll see you tomorrow.""
With a soft crunch of gravel and a low purr of the engine, the station wagon backed out of the alley, its red taillights cutting a bright path through the coastal fog before turning onto the narrow ridge road and disappearing into the dark timber.
