Page 167 of Peaks and Promises

Moving back around the corner of the building so I stayed out of sight, I texted Reese again.

Me: I’m at the small wood building. There’s a padlock on the ground by the door.

He didn’t reply. I had no idea where he was. Probably trying to get behind the pole barn to where I’d been hiding. The rooster crowed, and I wondered if it was chasing Reese or one of the bikers.

Sam’s voice rose again. That guy did not know what was good for him. He gestured wildly, shouting at Mayhem to get off his property. Interestingly, he didn’t threaten to call the cops.

But he wouldn’t if he was hiding Axel.

Someone shouted back at him. “Shut your ugly mug before I shut it for you, old man.”

“Get him out of here,” another one said.

One of the club members grabbed Sam by the arm and dragged him toward the house. I could just make out someone directing him to keep him inside.

At least that was one who’d be occupied. Only five others to evade.

The distinctive click of a gun being cocked made my eyes widen and my body tremble with a pulse of fear. Metal pressed against the back of my head, and I froze.

“Well, hey, Sum Sum.”

I swallowed hard. “Hammer?”

“What are you doing, sneaking around here?”

He kept the gun against the back of my head. So I didn’t move.

“I just want my son.”

His amused chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. A second later, he lowered the gun.

“Don’t get any ideas.” He grabbed my arm and dragged me around the front of the building.

“Hammer, please. I won’t get in your way.”

He kept a tight grip on my arm and urged me forward. “You’re already in my way, sweetheart.”

“Just don’t hurt him. He’s only a kid.”

“I don’t give a shit about the kid.” He raised his voice to get the others’ attention. “Look what I found.”

Buzz stepped out of the pole barn and grinned. “Well, holy shit. It’s a fucking party.”

Hammer stopped but didn’t let go. I kept my eyes on the ground. As much as I wanted to look for Reese, I didn’t want them to know he was there.

“Where’s the big guy?” Buzz asked.

“He’s not here.”

“You’re not here alone,” Hammer said. “Where is he?”

At that point, there was no use lying. They weren’t going to believe me. “I don’t know. We were separated. But he’s not here for you guys. We just want Nate.”

Buzz looked me up and down, his leer making my skin crawl. Licking his lips, he took a step toward me.

“We’re here to find the outcast,” Hammer said. “Stay focused.”

Buzz cast him an irritated glare, but at least he didn’t get any closer.