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“I don’t know what you mean,” I said, acting confused by her offer.

“Whatever you’re running from. I can help. It’s what we do.” She looked over to the corner booth, and I saw three more women sitting and watching us.

“I’m not running,” I insisted, shaking my head to emphasize my lie.

She nodded.

“Here,” she said, sliding a card across the table. “If you need help, call. We’ll come. Anywhere you are.”

She vacated the chair she’d invaded and walked back to her friends. Looking at the card she gave me, I wanted to laugh. The irony of who was willing to help was not lost on me.

Nyght Nymphs MC

It appeared as though I was destined to be surrounded by bikers. I had never heard of a female MC, but I guess you learned new things every day.

I slipped the card in my purse, ignoring the woman and her friends, as I looked down at Dani.

Kytten thought my tears were from fear. And while I was afraid, and had no way of knowing what the future had in store for me and Dani, these tears were filled with joy and sadness.

Every time I heard her call me mama, my heart tightened in my chest. A feeling of love warmed me, while dread chilled me at the same time.

How was I ever going to let this little girl go?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Melissa

February 22, 2025, Diamond Creek, Nebraska.

Sitting in my car, I stared at the brick building in front of me. He was in there. My brother, who I hadn’t seen in ten years. He didn’t know I was coming. Had no idea that everything he did to keep me out of this life was all for nothing. Somehow, through some fucked-up twist of fate, I had been thrown into his world, anyway.

What really made me angry was that I had lost ten years with my brother. For goddamn nothing!

My hands tightened on the steering wheel to the point of pain. I had to get my emotions in check. I was a professional. I was here to see a woman. Not my brother.

Except that I needed his help. I waited as long as I could for Dante to contact me. He said forty-eight hours; I gave him two weeks. I had decided to take Danika and disappear. Make a new life for the both of us. Until the notes started to appear.

I didn’t know who they were from. I didn’t know why they were so angry. But whoever it was had followed me to Arkansas. Dante had told me Danika’s mother died after she was born.

Maybe he was wrong.

I couldn’t risk Dani’s life because of my stupid pride.

I also wouldn’t risk her life by handing her over to someone I didn’t know. Dante might trust this woman, but at this point I had been the one person who was consistent in Dani’s life.

She was mine.

Mine to protect.

So, I would ask him for help. I would ask him to protect me one more time. There was no doubt in my mind he would. He loved me, of that I was sure.

I sat frozen as the young man walked over to my car. He couldn’t be more than a teenager, and I felt my anger rise again. They were still pulling children into this life.

“Can I help you, ma’am?”

“I’m here to see Gunner.”

“They’re in church, ma’am.”