Page 135 of Peaks and Promises

“Was he locked up when Nate was born?”

“Yeah, he was. Why?”

“I’m just wondering why he didn’t try to take him before. Why now.”

“He didn’t have the chance before.” She sighed. “I wish I’d never told him I was pregnant. We were already broken up when I found out. But my mom knew, so I figured it was only a matter of time before he heard.”

“Why did you break up? Did he hurt you?”

“Not physically. I was starting to wonder if he might, though. Mostly he was controlling and manipulative. And he had a temper.”

“Did you tell him about the pregnancy in person?”

“I wrote him a letter. He wrote back and said the club would take care of me. I didn’t hear from him after that, but I always had a feeling he’d cause trouble when he got out. I should have disappeared. It just always felt impossible.”

We lapsed into silence again. I checked the rearview obsessively—even though no one was behind us—and stewed over Axel’s stunt.

“He had you at gunpoint,” I said, finally. “Why did he walk away? He could have shoved you in a car and forced you to take him to Nate.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he knew I wouldn’t cooperate, even with a gun pointed at me.”

The logical conclusion of that statement made me grind my teeth together. I wanted to rip the guy’s arms off.

“And why show his face at all?” I asked. “He eluded us for days. Now we know for sure he’s still here. Is he that arrogant? He thinks it doesn’t matter?”

“He’s absolutely that arrogant,” she said decisively. “I think he wanted to scare me. And hurt me. He wanted me to know exactly what he has planned for Nate.”

“If he thinks he’s going to turn Nate into another version of himself, he’s underestimating that kid. There’s no way.”

She glanced at me with a weak smile. “It makes me feel better to hear you say that.”

“It’s true. Nate’s not an idiot. Even if Axel got him, which he won’t, he’d never be able to indoctrinate him. Even if only because Nate hates him too much. Watch, he’s going to become a cop just to spite his father.”

She laughed. “That would be some beautiful justice.”

With one last look in the rearview—it was clear—I took the turn up to my parents’ place. I’d already called my dad to let him know Summer had seen Axel again. He’d assured me Nate was fine. And apparently someone had called Garrett. He was getting out of his police cruiser—in uniform—when we pulled up to the house.

He nodded to me as we got out of Dad’s truck, then turned his attention to Summer. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Just pissed off.”

I cracked a smile. She was tough.

We went inside to check on Nate. He was too smart not to realize something was going on, but he didn’t seem overly concerned. Summer didn’t want him to hear the details, so she and I stepped outside with Garrett. After she relayed what had happened and answered his questions—hearing it again made my blood boil—she went back into the house.

“Have you had any interactions with this guy?” Garrett asked once the door had closed behind her.

“Not face-to-face. He and a couple of his buddies chased us through town once. That’s about as close as I’ve been to him.” I paused. “But I know his type.”

“We don’t usually have problems with motorcycle clubs out here. What do I need to know about his type?”

“The club is his law, so he won’t give two shits about law enforcement, especially several states away. He’ll count on Mayhem to have his back. If Axel gets Nate, the club will do what they have to do to protect them both. Move them, hide them, keep anyone who’s looking for them away.”

“How does Nate see this? Does he want to see his dad?”

“No. He pretty well hates him.”

“I hate to put it like this, but that’s probably good. A lot of boys would idolize a biker. At least we don’t have to worry about him running away from Summer or cooperating with his dad.”