He tightened his grip around Rravhem.

“Eight years.”

Cole shook his head.

“Eight goddamn years, Rravhem.”

His voice broke.

“You owe us one hell of an explanation.”

“The ledger...”

Rravhem suddenly grabbed Cole’s leather jacket with what little strength he had left.

“They’re looking for it.”

His breathing became shallow.

“You can’t let them get it...”

Cole steadied him.

“Relax, you stubborn old bastard.”

His voice softened.

“Leo found it.”

Rravhem froze.

“It’s safe.”

For the first time, something like peace appeared in the wounded man’s eyes.

Cole pulled Rravhem’s arm over his shoulder and helped him stand.

“The Syndicate is finished.”

He looked directly at his old brother.

“Tomorrow morning, that ledger will be sitting on an FBI desk.”

His expression hardened.

“And every last piece of this organization will have people hunting it.”

Then his voice softened again.

“But tonight...”

He adjusted Rravhem’s weight against his shoulder.

“You’re going home.”

Rravhem stared at him.

Cole smiled faintly.

“Back to Sarah.”

A pause.

“And your son.”

Far away, the gunfire outside had begun to fade.

Nomad’s diversion had worked perfectly.

Wyatt picked up an automatic rifle from one of the fallen guards and checked the magazine.

“Come on.”

He looked at Rravhem and grinned.

“Let’s bring this ghost back into the light.”

Chapter 9: The Return of the Ghosts

The convoy of motorcycles thundered into the parking lot of the Oasis diner just as the sun began to rise.

Amber morning light washed over the dust-covered Harley-Davidsons, gliding across the bullet-scarred walls and the battered neon sign.

The diner’s screen door flew open.

Sarah rushed outside, her legs trembling as though they could barely support her.

Behind her came Leo, his hazel eyes wide with hope.

Rravhem climbed down with difficulty, limping heavily as Cole and Wyatt helped steady him.

The moment Sarah saw the husband she had once believed forever buried beneath the ashes of El Paso, she broke into sobs.

She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face against his chest without caring about the bruises, the wounds, or the dried blood covering his body.

“I thought...” Sarah choked out. “I thought you were dead...”

She held him tighter, as though afraid he might disappear into nothingness if she loosened her grip.

Rravhem wrapped his arms around his wife.

At last, the tears he had refused to shed for years slipped down into her tangled hair.

“I’m here, Sarah,” he whispered.

“It’s really over now.”

Leo stood frozen on the front steps, still unconsciously holding the small metal motorcycle.

Rravhem slowly released Sarah.

Then, favoring his uninjured leg, he lowered himself onto one knee and opened his scarred arms.

“Come here, son,” he said, his voice breaking.

Leo could no longer hold himself back.

He dropped the toy and ran straight into his father’s arms.