Diesel had gone to school with Tiny and Wynnie’s kids and had worked as a ranch hand while he was growing up. Diesel hadn’t been a troublesome kid, but any time he’d leaned the wrong way, Tiny had reined him in and had taught him how to channel his energies in the right direction. Diesel owed Tiny a lot. He was the reason Diesel had become a Dark Knight, and he’d set Diesel on the right path, connecting him with the right people, to become a bounty hunter, which enabled him to live the nomad lifestyle he enjoyed.

“Then Red became my back warmer.” Biggs’s eyes filled with the warmth they always did when he talked about family. “I always thought I was strong, but a man who can go his whole life without giving in to the love of a good woman is a stronger man than me. Axel was a lot like you. He never could settle down with one woman. Lord knows plenty of women tried, but he battled demons. He lost his first love when they were out on a ride. Someone ran a red light, and she was thrown. Died on impact.” Biggs shook his head, pain rising in his eyes. “We don’t talk about that much. The accident wasn’t Axel’s fault, but he was never the same after it. Drinking, getting into fights. Spent years tryin’ to outrun the pain.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Diesel was cut from that same cloth. He’d spent most of his life trying to outrun pain, too.

“That was a long time ago, and he’s at peace now.” Biggs finished his beer and pushed to his feet. “I’m going to miss you when you’re gone, son. Are you heading to Colorado to see the boys?”

“Yeah. I told Tiny I’d come see them first, check on the cabin, touch base before taking off again.” He’d kept the cabin where he’d lived with his mother and stayed there when he returned to Colorado.

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you. Well, son, at least we’ll have the holidays with you. You know you’ve always got a place under our roof.”

Diesel nodded curtly, trying to ignore the thickening in his throat that often accompanied his talks with Biggs. “Thank you, sir.”