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“I guess.” His smile droops. “She’s not going to go away like my mom did, is she?”

“The doctors are doing everything they can to make sure that doesn’t happen.” It’s the best answer I can give him. I’m not going to make up a bunch of bullshit to keep him in the dark. Things are dicey as fuck with Julia, but I also don’t want to freak Max out. I need to keep him focused on what we need to do to get him to safety.

“When do we leave?” Max asks.

“Tonight. But first, pancakes!”

“Yum!” Max jumps up and runs down the hall toward the kitchen. I can hear his faint chatter with Nina.

“How’s Julia?” Talon asks.

“Not good. They didn’t have any more of an update today than they did last night when you guys left.” My shoulders slump.

“She’ll pull through,” Reaper says.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“I can’t promise anything, but we’ve helped women like her before. They’ve all made it.”

“True.”

“Have faith. In the meantime, food.” Reaper leaves me with Talon.

“She’s going to be fine. Focus on the kid. Then go back and wait for her to wake up. She’s not going to die on you. Not after the shit you both went through to keep this kid safe.” Talon slaps my shoulder before heading off to breakfast.

I hope they’re right. But until she wakes up, I won’t be able to breathe. All I can do is wait and pray that fate is on my side. She needs to pull through. She has to recover. Because even if she hates me forever, at least she’ll be alive.

Chapter 24: Scar

The sun sets in my mirrors as I ride across the county line. Max didn’t release the death grip he had on my waist until after we got out of the mountains. From here to Billings is almost a straight, flat shot. There are a few mountain passes, but nothing too crazy. I’ve done this ride hundreds of times, but this one seems bittersweet. Max really started to grow on me. I thought about what it might mean to keep him but ultimately decided club life wasn’t right for a kid. There’s no way I can devote all my attention to him when other children need the club’s—and my—help. Maybe one day I’ll settle down and have a son of my own, but today’s not that day.

Reaper and Talon are right behind me. We still haven’t heard from Nitro, and I’m ninety percent furious he disappeared but ten percent worried. With everything going on with the Demon Riders, I hope he’s not in trouble. But if that’s the case and he’s safe, I’m going to have to kick his ass again the next time I see him. He shouldn’t be MIA when the club needs him.

We stop in Big Timber to get gas and check on Max. After a quick bathroom break, I meet up with the guys at our bikes. Max is strapping on his helmet while I talk to the guys.

“See anything?” I ask. They’ve been on the lookout to make sure we’re not being followed.

“Nothing but empty highway and semis,” Talon says.

Reaper grunts in agreement.

“Okay. Keep your eyes open. Just because the sheriff is gone doesn’t mean his guys won’t be after us. We don’t know who else might be part of the conspiracy that kept his corrupt ass in power.”

“Will do, pres,” Talon says while Reaper nods in agreement.

Max watches us intently, missing nothing. He knows we’re exposed while riding, but he’s so excited about getting a new family that he’s willing to risk it. Though he’s only seven years old, he’s more than capable of making his own decisions. Anyone who went through the shit he suffered deserves to decide who they want to live with. I told him he can change his mind at any time, and I’ll take him right back to Nina’s, but he’s determined to move on. He’s resilient. In time, I’m sure he’ll be okay.

“You ready to go, big guy?” I ask as I check to make sure his helmet is secure.

“Can we have pizza when we get there?” he asks.

“Pizza? We had burgers and fries before we left.”

“But I’m hungry again.” He rubs his belly for emphasis.

“Tell you what, let’s meet your new family and your big brother first. If you’re still hungry, then we’ll get a pizza. Deal?”

“Deal.”