Page 17

Hammer

The duplex smelled of fresh paint and the industrial cleaner Aura insisted on using whenever we prepped a place for someone new. Basic furniture filled the space -- a couch, coffee table, kitchen table with four chairs, beds in each room. Nothing fancy, but solid. Safe.

Chase shouldered past me, walking into the duplex.

The kid moved with the coiled tension of someone expecting a fight.

After being here a few weeks, I’d hoped some of that tension would have eased.

Then again, having the Devil’s Minions find them had probably kicked the boy back into his hypervigilant state.

I recognized the look in his eyes -- had seen it in brothers just back from war zones, in women who’d escaped men like Piston, and in men like me who’d just gotten out of prison.

I’d been the same way during those first months of freedom. The kid was living in survival mode.

“Your room’s on the right,” I told him, nodding toward the hallway. “Your brother’s is on the left.”

Chase didn’t respond, just headed down the hall with his bag. I couldn’t blame him for the cold shoulder. His mother had offered herself to me as payment for protection. What sixteen-year-old wouldn’t hate that arrangement?

Levi slipped past us both, laptop clutched to his chest like it held state secrets.

The younger boy hadn’t spoken two words since we’d arrived at the compound.

Just watched everything with those analytical eyes behind his glasses, taking in details, assessing.

Smart kid. Dangerous kid, in his own way. The quiet ones usually were.

Amelia began opening kitchen cabinets and taking stock of what was available, her movements efficient but tentative.

I watched her for a moment, the way she stretched to reach the upper cabinets, how her ponytail swung with each movement.

She wore jeans and a simple T-shirt, both well-worn but clean.

The sweater she’d had on had been removed at some point.

No makeup hiding her features today, just the natural flush of exertion on her cheeks and the hint of shadows under her eyes from constant worry.

I stepped outside to give her space, without having her feel like I was staring her down.

Outside, the compound hummed with its usual activity.

A Prospect washed bikes near the clubhouse.

Tank’s booming laugh carried from the garage.

Everything normal, except for the guards I’d asked Savior to double at the gate and the brothers he’d stationed around the perimeter.

Devil’s Minions wouldn’t be stupid enough to come onto Dixie Reapers’ territory, not yet, anyway.

They’d sent the Prospect to make sure Amelia was actually here, and they’d watch her, gather intel.

But Piston wasn’t entirely stupid. He wouldn’t make a move yet.

When I went back inside, Amelia was checking out the books on the shelves in the living room.

It was something the old ladies had added over the last few years.

This place had been used for multiple things…

safe zone for women we rescued, family visiting from out of town, and even for the Prospects on occasion.

“Need to show you the security features,” I said, moving toward the front windows.

Better to focus on practical matters than the way her scent -- something floral mixed with coffee -- had invaded my senses.

“Every window and door has an alarm. Code is 9241. Don’t share it with anyone but your boys.

Once you’re gone from here, Savior will change it again. ”

She nodded, following me as I pointed out the surveillance cameras visible through the windows.

“That one covers your front door. Another in back. Gate’s manned 24/7. No one gets in or out without us knowing.” I glanced toward the hallway, lowering my voice. “If something happens, if you feel unsafe for any reason, you hit this.”

I showed her the panic button installed beside the front door, disguised as a light switch. “Signal goes directly to Wire and to my phone.”

“And the boys’ school?” she asked, her voice steadier now that we were discussing logistics rather than the elephant in the room.

“Tank’s wife knows someone there. She’ll keep an eye on them. Plus, I’ve got Prospects watching the campus.” I hesitated, then added, “Chase seems to like the garage. He could work there after school if he wants. Safer than having him wander.”

Something softened in her expression. “He told me he’s been learning about engines.”

“Kid’s got a knack for it.” I moved toward the kitchen, needing space from her grateful look. “Phone’s hooked up. Important numbers are programmed in. Mine’s number six on speed dial, but Savior is number one and Saint is number two.”

The boys emerged from their rooms, Chase positioning himself slightly in front of Levi, his stance wide and protective. My respect for the kid notched higher. He might be a pain in my ass with his attitude, but he looked after his brother.

“You got cameras inside too?” Chase asked, eyes narrowed.

“No,” I said firmly. “Your privacy matters. Just outside, for security.”

Levi spoke for the first time since they’d arrived. “The Wi-Fi password?”

I couldn’t help the slight twitch of my lips. Kid had priorities. “Figured you’d already know it, but to answer your question, it’s written on the router in your mom’s room. It’s secure. Encrypted.”

Levi nodded, seemingly satisfied, and disappeared back into his room.

I turned to leave, suddenly aware of how much space I took up in the small duplex. My shoulders nearly brushed the doorframe, my boots loud on the laminate flooring. Amelia looked small standing in the middle of the living room, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

“Hammer,” she said quietly as I reached for the door. “About what I said before…”

I held up my hand, stopping her. “Not now. Let’s get you settled first.”

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded. Relief and disappointment warred in her expression.

“I’m just down the road if you need anything,” I added, my voice gruffer than I intended. “Aura, my daughter, will probably stop by later. She’s excited to meet you properly. Unless you’ve already met?”

“No, I haven’t. And thank you,” she said, those two simple words carrying the weight of everything she couldn’t say.

I nodded and stepped outside, taking my first deep breath since entering the duplex.

The responsibility of her offer pressed on my shoulders like a physical weight.

She’d offered herself to me for protection.

Part of me -- the part that had been alone too long -- wanted to accept.

But another part knew she was offering out of desperation, not desire.

And I was too old, too jaded, and too damn honest to take advantage of that.

For now, I’d focus on keeping them safe. The rest could wait.

I heard Aura’s bike before I saw it, the distinctive rumble of her Sportster cutting through the compound’s afternoon noise.

She’d customized that engine herself, insisted on doing the work alone even though I’d offered to help.

Stubborn girl. She pulled up outside the duplex, killing the engine with a practiced flick.

Some dads might’ve worried about their daughters riding, but Aura handled that bike like it was an extension of herself.

She’d been riding for more than five years now, and she was better than half the brothers in the club.

I stood on the porch, watching as she removed her helmet and hung it on her handlebars.

Her dark hair fell loose around her shoulders, and the afternoon sun caught the colorful tattoos covering her left arm.

My girl had always been fearless, from the day I’d found her at sixteen, nearly broken by the men who’d trafficked her, but never surrendering her spirit.

Aura spotted me and waved before hurrying up the steps. She shoved past me. She didn’t knock -- just rapped twice on the door frame before pushing it open. “Hello? Anyone home?”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself. No one could resist Aura when she decided to befriend them. Amelia and her boys didn’t stand a chance.

I peered inside just in time to see Aura wrapping Amelia in a hug. The older woman stiffened for a moment before relaxing, uncertainty written across her face.

“I’m Aura,” my daughter announced, pulling back to beam at Amelia. “Hammer’s kid. Well, adopted, but he’s still stuck with me.” She winked at me over her shoulder.

“Nice to meet you,” Amelia said, her voice soft but genuine. “I’m --”

“Amelia,” Aura finished for her. “And these must be Chase and Levi.” She turned to the boys. Without hesitation, she moved to hug them too. Chase froze like he’d been shot, arms hanging awkwardly at his sides. Levi looked bewildered by this hurricane of a woman who’d blown into their space.

“I thought we should celebrate your first night properly,” Aura continued, undeterred by their reaction. “I could cook dinner for everyone! We could eat at our place -- we have a bigger table.”

I snorted. “If by ‘cook’ you mean ‘set off the smoke alarm,’ then sure.”

Aura spun around, pointing an accusing finger at me. “That was one time!”

“Three times,” I corrected. “Last month alone.”

“The recipe said ‘high heat’!”

“Not ‘inferno.’”

A small sound caught my attention -- Levi, hiding a smile behind his hand had let out a soft laugh.

The kid had barely shown any emotion since they’d arrived, and here he was, laughing at our bickering.

Even Chase’s rigid posture had softened slightly, as he looked between Aura and me with something like curiosity.

“We could order pizza,” I suggested, leaning against the doorframe. “Safer for everyone.”

“Pizza?” Levi perked up immediately.

Aura threw her hands up in mock surrender. “Fine, pizza it is. But I’m picking the toppings.”

“No pineapple,” Chase said, the first words I’d heard from him that didn’t sound hostile.