Page 26 of Peaks and Promises

“No. Axel’s been in prison his whole life.”

“You talked to him? What did he say?”

“He said he wants to see Nate. But I can’t let him. He’s dangerous. Volatile—nice one minute and awful the next. I’ve done everything I can to keep my son away from him and the club. I don’t trust any of them.”

Reese’s jaw hitched. “I wouldn’t, either.”

“I tried to go home, but one of them was at my apartment complex.” I pushed my hair off my sticky forehead. “I didn’t know what else to do, so I drove here and called you.”

“You did the right thing. I told you to call.” He glanced up and down the street, then into the shop at Nate. “We should move—get out of sight. We’ll leave your car here and come back for it later.”

“Where are we going?”

“My place. You’ll be safe there, and we can make a plan.”

“It’s like you’ve done this security thing before,” I said with a slight grin. “But you realize I can’t pay you.”

He glanced aside. “Don’t worry about that.”

“Why? Why would you help me for free?”

Hesitating, he met my eyes. “I guess I just can’t walk away from a woman in trouble.”

I held his gaze for a moment. Was I crazy? Was there a man in this world who wouldn’t screw me over? I glanced through the window at my son. There had to be good men out there. Otherwise, what hope did I have of raising one?

And my heart told me Reese Haven was one of them.

“All right. I’ll trust you. For now.”

“And I’ll help you.” One corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “For now.”

He held out his hand and I slipped mine in his. The pressure of his handshake was gentle but strong, his hand pleasantly rough and calloused. I had no idea why Reese Haven had dropped into my life, but his reassuring presence was enough to keep me from spiraling into panic.

And everything in me wanted to trust him, whether or not I understood why.

CHAPTER 7

Reese

Summer and Nate climbed into my SUV. I did a quick scan of the parking lot, the street, and the strip mall across the way. No bikes. No rumble of motorcycle engines. That didn’t mean they weren’t around, but maybe we’d get lucky.

I got in and turned on the engine.

“Are these windows bulletproof?” Nate asked from the back seat.

Summer and I answered at the same time.

“No.”

“Yes,” I said.

She whipped her head toward me. “Wait, they are?”

My tone was nonchalant. “Of course they are.”

Nate ran his fingertips down the glass. “Cool.”

Still checking our surroundings, I backed out of my spot.