THE BIKER'S EX RETURNS のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

I tracked Crystal through the clubhouse using sound.Her breathing. Her footsteps. The soft rustle of her clothes.She was good. But I was better.Because I knew this building. Every creaking board. Every hiding spot. Every exit.This was my territory.My home.I found her in the bar. Standing by the window, silhouetted against the moonlight."Took you long enough," she said without turning. "I was starting to think you ran again.""I do not run anymore. You should know that by now.""Then prove it." She turned, gun raised. "Face me. No tricks. No backup. Just you and me.""Fine." I raised my gun. "But first, answer one question. Why Colt? Why did you have to kill him?""Because he loved you." Crystal's voice was raw. "Even after you left. Even after you broke him. He still loved you. And I could not compete with a ghost.""So you made him one.""So I removed the competition." She smiled. "And it worked. For a while. I thought with him gone, I could finally take control. But then you

Crystal looked small in the hospital bed.Not the terrifying villain who tried to destroy me. Just a woman. Broken. Defeated."You came," she said. Her voice was weak. "I did not think you would.""Neither did I." I sat in the chair beside her bed. "What do you want?""To tell you the truth. About Colt. About what really happened that night." She closed her eyes. "I owe you that much.""I am listening.""I did give Cross the information. The building. The timing. All of it." She opened her eyes. "But Colt knew. He figured it out. The day before the raid."My heart stopped. "What?""He confronted me. Said he knew I was working with Cross. Knew I wanted him dead." Crystal's voice cracked. "And he forgave me. Said he understood why I did it. That he did not blame me.""I do not believe you.""I did not either. I thought it was a trick. A way to get me to confess. But he was serious." A tear slid down her cheek. "He said he knew what desperation felt like. Knew what it was like to want so

One year after Colt's death, life had found a rhythm.The club was stable. Territory was secure. I even managed to sleep through most nights without nightmares.Daniel and I were good. Not perfect. But good. He made me laugh. Made me feel normal. And that was enough.Then she showed up.I was in my office reviewing supply contracts when Razor knocked."We have a visitor. Says she knew Colt. Says it is urgent.""Who is she?""Would not give a name. Just said you would want to hear what she has to say." Razor's expression was troubled. "There is something off about her. I do not trust it.""Bring her in. But stay close."The woman who entered was maybe forty. Dark hair streaked with gray. Tired eyes that had seen too much. She wore expensive clothes that did not quite fit right. Like she was playing a role."Ms. Carter. Thank you for seeing me." Her voice was cultured. Educated. "My name is Dr. Sarah Mitchell. I was Colt Richardson's therapist for five years."I froze. "Colt never menti

We had seventy-two hours to find a ghost.The man who killed William Cross died without leaving evidence. No DNA. No witnesses. No leads.Just a corpse and questions nobody could answer."We start with a motive," I said, gathering the core team. "Who wanted Cross dead?""Everyone," Hammer said. "That is not a short list.""Then we narrow it. Who had access to the prison? Who could get inside his cell undetected?""Guards. Inmates. Staff." Razor pulled up files on his laptop. "That is still hundreds of people.""What about Victor?" Tommy suggested. "He had connections everywhere. Maybe he arranged it."I called Victor."Did you kill Cross?" I asked bluntly."No. Though I wish I had." Victor paused. "But I know who did."My heart stopped. "Who?""I cannot tell you over the phone. Meet me. Same place as before. One hour."He hung up."It is a trap," Razor said immediately."Maybe. But it is our only lead." I grabbed my jacket. "I am going.""Not alone you are not."We took five bikes. Ex

Two weeks after the truth came out, I went to Colt's grave one last time.Not to mourn. But to say goodbye."I know the truth now," I said. "About your depression. Your plans. Your decision." I knelt beside the headstone. "And I am angry. Furious. Because you lied. You made me think you died saving me when really you were just trying to escape your pain."The wind picked up. Like he was listening."But I also understand. Because I know what it is like to be so broken you cannot see a way forward. I know what it is like to think death is easier than living." I touched the stone. "So I forgive you. For lying. For leaving. For choosing death over fighting beside me."Tears streamed down my face."But I also want you to know something. You were wrong. Love was not not enough to save you. But that does not mean you were not worth saving." I smiled through the tears. "You were worth everything. And I am going to spend the rest of my life making sure your death meant something. That your sac