Page 5 of Mercenary's Redemption

I just stand there, stunned, as a hundred different emotions run through me - anger, sadness, disbelief. After all these years, the ghost of that deadbeat sperm donor is still haunting my son.

Gritting my teeth, I pull Jayden back into a bone-crushing hug.

"Don't you ever think that way again, you hear me?" I say fiercely. "Your father was nothing but a dumb, selfish idiot who never cared about anyone but himself. This life he chose over us - it's not worth a single tear."

Jayden doesn't respond; he just buries his face in my shoulder as I rub soothing circles across his back. I'll hold him here as long as it takes to chase his father's demon away for good.

As we stand there hugging, a few more bikers stumble out of the bar, their laughter and chatter cutting through the night. They pause when they spot us, sniggering and making not-so-kind gestures. A couple of them even start moving towards us.

But then, one of them seems to recognize us. He mutters something to the others, and just like that, they back off, leaving us with disdainful looks and shakes of their heads.

Whoever Chance is, his word seems to carry a lot of weight around here. Either that or, after watching him absolutely demolish those two thugs, no one else feels brave enough to be the next punching bag.

Jayden lifts his face from my shoulder, red-rimmed eyes following their retreat wearily.

"We should go, Mom," he mumbles.

I nod, giving him a gentle smile as I ruffle his hair again. "Okay, baby."

I lead us towards my battered old sedan parked in the dimly lit lot. As we walk, my mind keeps drifting back to Chance, the way he charged in and protected us without a second thought.

He could have just as easily thrown us out himself when the trouble started. Goodness knows he had no obligation to get involved in our mess. But he did, putting himself in harm's way against those two bruisers, all for me and my son.

Part of me wonders if it was simply about keeping the peace in his bar. The other part, the hopelessly romantic part, can't help but imagine it was like something out of a fairy tale.

The dashing, rugged knight arriving just in the nick of time to save the damsel and her child from the big bad bullies. Sure, he may be rough around the edges and clad in well-worn leather instead of shining armor...but he was still my hero tonight.

I shake my head at the ridiculous notion as we reach the car. Chance is likely already putting the whole episode out of his mind.

Still, I can't quite suppress the little thrill that goes through me at the memory of his piercing gaze locked on mine. Those eyes seemed to stare straight through to my soul.

Chapter 4 - Chance

It's the afternoon after last night's big mess with the dumb kid and his pretty mama. I should be focused on getting the bar ready for tonight's crowd, but my mind keeps drifting elsewhere.

I find myself swiping the same spot on the counter over and over, my rag moving in lazy circles as images of that gorgeous girl's face keep flashing in my head. The way her blue eyes shone with gratitude when I stepped in to help. Those pouty lips curved in the sweetest smile after she tended to my busted mouth.

And holy hell, the things that body of hers did to me up close. All soft curves packed into a modest little sundress that somehow made her even more enticing. I can't stop picturing how it would feel to pull that bombshell body flush against me, to explore every luscious inch with my calloused hands...

The loud creak of the bar door opening jolts me from my vivid daydream. Instinctively, I whirl around, dropping the rag as my body tenses for a fight.

Only to find my two brothers from the Rogues - Trickster and Knowledge - standing there with arched brows.

"Easy there, Chance," Trickster drawls, holding up his hands in mock surrender as they approach. "We ain't here to cause no trouble."

I force myself to relax slightly, though my jaw remains clenched.

"Should've knocked first if you didn't want an ass-whoopin'," I growl.

Trickster just chuckles while Knowledge gives me an appraising look.

"You seem awfully...distracted today, brother. That's not like you."

Shooting him a glare, I turn back to the counter, snatching up my abandoned rag as the two Rogues take their usual seats.

"Just keeping my head on a swivel like I should," I mutter gruffly.

But it does no good lying to the two men who know me best in this world. Trickster leans in with a sly smile.

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