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“Maybe I should leave,” I say softly. “I don’t want Max to get hurt.”

“Scar would never hurt a child,” she says vehemently.

“How can you know that for sure?”

“I know him. He’d rather die. He’d never hurt a kid, especially not another little boy. I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Scar tonight, but you both need to put whatever it was aside, at least until we can find a way to help Max.”

“I don’t feel safe here anymore,” I whisper.

“Because of Scar?”

I nod.

“Where else would you go?” Nina asks.

“I don’t know.”

A shrill alert blares from a phone sitting on the counter. Nina picks it up and glances at the screen. “Well, I don’t think you have a choice now.”

“What is it? What happened?”

“Amber Alert. Everyone in the county is looking for him.”

“Crap.”

“You can’t leave now.”

“I know.”

“You have to think about what’s best for Max. I know you’re scared, but you’re safe with us. I promise you that.” She looks at me thoughtfully before adding, “Just be careful with him.”

She’s not talking about Max.

I finish the last drop of liquor, then flee Nina’s watchful gaze. She can see much more than she’s letting on, but how much more? The vibrant indigo in her aura means she’s using her psychic ability, but what’s her ability, and how does she use it? I want to ask her about it, but now isn’t the right time.

As soon as I return to my room, I close and lock the door. I consider leaving with Max. We could escape tonight and be far away from these people before they realize we’re gone. But with the Amber Alert out, we might not get far. Maybe staying really is the best option.

I sit on the bed with my back against the headboard. My gaze lands on the doorknob, and I’m staring at it so hard I swear it’s turning, but I know it’s not. I’m just imagining things. I wonder if I imagined everything that happened tonight, but I know it wasn’t a delusion because my panties still cling to me, and I can’t stop thinking about the man down the hall. I want to go to him, but Nina’s warning keeps me from doing something incredibly foolish. I need to think about Max and what’s best for him. I’m already dealing with one monster, Max’s father. I don’t need to entice another into my life.

***

Sunlight streams through the window, warming my body. I stir, reaching for Scar, only to find an empty bed. I glance at the clock on the nightstand, then startle awake. It’s after ten a.m. I never sleep this late. And why the hell did I expect to find Scar in my bed? That’s the last thing I need right now. But … I can’t stop thinking about him. About his hands and his lips and his tattoos and his scars …

I shiver.

Scar’s such a strong, powerful man. I don’t understand how such terrible nightmares could plague him. What happened to him? Who put those terrible marks on his skin? Nina mentioned a “bad man,” but who is he? And why was Scar with him? I desperately want to know Scar’s story, which frightens me. I’m already trying to save Max. Do I really need to get tangled up with Scar, too?

I have a bad habit of trying to rescue people, and I fall in love way too fast. I can’t let that happen with him. He’s obviously messed up, which should scare me away, but if anything, I’m more intrigued. He’s a mysterious puzzle, and I want to put all the pieces of his past together to get a complete picture of who he is. He’s not just the president of a motorcycle club, and he doesn’t just provide refuge to people who need his help; he’s hiding so much more. Last night, he unwittingly showed me a hint of who he really is, and now, I want to peel back all his layers. He’s becoming an addiction, and I don’t know how to stop it.

Laughter carries from somewhere down the hall. It’s Max, who sounds like he’s having a blast, but I don’t want to leave him alone with them for too long. I trust Nina, but I don’t trust Scar. I don’t know if I can ever trust him again after he almost killed me last night.

“Breakfast is ready. Come join us when you’re showered and dressed,” Nina calls through my door.

“Coming!”

After a fast, intentionally cold shower in the adjoining bathroom, I open my closet door. Last night, Nina said I could choose anything I wanted from the closet. I told her she was being far too generous, but she assured me she could afford it. I don’t want to take anything from her since she’s already being so hospitable by allowing us to stay with her, but I can’t exactly walk around in yesterday’s dirty clothes.

Everything in the closet is brand new, with the tags still on. I’m shocked by the prices and hope she got them on sale. I couldn’t possibly take any of this with me. I’ll have to be sure to return everything—after I wash it, of course.