The 13th Step

Epilogue

He found the card in his mailbox when he came back from his next job. It featured a garish collage of Las Vegas neon and landmarks, and he smiled without thinking.

Ella.

He had wondered if he'd hear from her. Word had already filtered through the supernatural grapevine of Raul Silvio's death and the relatively young upstart who'd taken his place. Blake's brother, Adam, had questioned him sharply about the coup. He'd merely replied that he had no idea what had happened, and he supposed the words were true.

He flipped the postcard over. She'd kissed the back, leaving a fire engine-red lipstick print on it, and he smiled again as he read the words beneath it.

I owe you one.

Blake had thought the idea of seeing her again would be painful, unthinkable. But he'd managed to put his demons to rest, to put his experiences with Ella in proper perspective. He'd loved her, but she was a wild thing, hard to handle and impossible to hold. He'd tried and failed, and finally learned his lesson.

Someday, he'd make his way back around to her. He didn't know what the circumstances would be or what would happen, but his heart was light as he tucked the card in his pocket and headed for his front door. They'd be friends, if nothing else, and that was far better than he'd expected.

Someday.

THE END