Page 127 of Peaks and Promises

“Good. It’s going to be all right. I won’t let anything happen to either of you. I promise.”

“Okay. Hurry.”

I ended the call, anger seething in the background, but I kept it at bay. I needed focus, not rage.

But there was no way that asshole was touching them.

CHAPTER 30

Reese

Pulling up to my parents’ place with Summer and Nate, I scanned the area as if it were a site I needed to secure. Their property extended behind the house well into the woods, but there was no vehicle access from that direction. Only one way in and out, unless you were on foot. Even if Axel did somehow find it, he’d have a hard time getting close without us knowing. It wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t likely.

The problem was, we couldn’t hole up there forever.

I’d met Summer outside the sheriff’s office, and after ensuring we weren’t being followed, we’d picked up Nate. Outwardly, Summer was calm, but her narrowed eyes and tight jaw betrayed her anger.

Her son was in danger, and she was furious.

We got out, and I cast a glance over my shoulder before following them into the house.

Mom was in the living room wearing a pair of headphones with her knitting in her lap. She took off her headphones and set them on the armrest when she saw us.

Nate started talking before she could ask why we were there. “Mom saw Axel, so that means he found us, and we have to hide here.”

Her mouth opened and she looked from Nate to me and Summer, then back to Nate. “Are you okay?”

He plopped on the couch next to her, like nothing was wrong. “I’m fine.”

The back door opened, and Dad walked in. “Someone here?”

“Yes,” Mom said. “And I think we have a problem.”

“I just saw my ex, Axel.” Summer’s eyes flicked to Nate. “He was on the sidewalk a couple blocks away, watching me. Some people walked by and he disappeared. But I know it was him.”

“Have you called the police?” Mom asked.

“No, we just picked up Nate and came here,” Summer said.

“Call Garrett.” Dad turned to Nate. “Hey, pal. Why don’t we go out to the shop? I could use your help.”

Nate looked at me and Summer. I gave him a quick nod, and he got up to follow Dad out back.

As soon as he was through the door, Summer’s calm broke. She started pacing around the room. “That son of a bitch. I’m sorry, Marlene. How could he be here? How could he have found us? I’m calling my mother.”

“Hold on,” I said. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“She needs to tell me what she knows.”

“Will she?”

“She will, unless Stryker told her not to.” Summer huffed out a frustrated breath. “Fucking Mayhem. Sorry, Marlene.”

“Honey, I raised six boys,” Mom said, getting up from the couch. “It takes a lot more to bother me than a little swearing. I’ll go see how Nate’s doing.”

Mom went out the back door while Summer pulled out her phone.

“Hang on,” I said. “You should stop using your phone in case that’s how he tracked you.”