Page 9 of Butcher's Honor

"Good choice." Joey hauls him up by his collar. "Wrath and Crow are outside. They'll make sure you pack and get on the highway. If you're not past the county line by sunset..." He leaves the threat hanging.

Two more bikers appear in my doorway, their cuts bearing the same patches as Joey's. They grab Derek, who's still babbling promises and apologies, and drag him out.

As soon as they're gone, my legs give out. The gun clatters to the counter as I sink to the floor, adrenaline leaving me in a rush that makes me dizzy.

Joey is beside me instantly, those deadly hands surprisingly gentle as they check me for injuries. "You hurt?"

I shake my head. "Tommy," I manage to say. "He's in his closet."

"I'll get him."

"No, I should—" I try to stand but my legs won't cooperate.

"Let me," he says softly. "Tell me where."

"Second bedroom. Behind the dinosaurs."

He disappears down the hall, and moments later I hear Tommy's relieved cry of "Mr. Joey!" followed by running feet. Then my baby is in my arms, clinging to me as I clutch him close.

"The bad man's gone?" he asks against my neck.

"Forever this time," Joey answers, watching us with an unreadable expression. "I promise."

I look up at him, this dangerous man who keeps saving us, and see something shift in his eyes when they meet mine. Something that makes my heart beat faster despite my fear and exhaustion.

"The cookies burned," Tommy says suddenly, and a slightly hysterical laugh bubbles up from my chest.

"We'll make more," I tell him, pressing a kiss to his hair.

"I'll fix the door frame," Joey says, already examining the damage. "And this time, I'm installing a security system. Cameras, motion sensors, the works."

"Joey, I can't afford—"

"Wasn't asking." His tone brooks no argument. "Consider it a housewarming gift."

I should protest. Should maintain some boundaries, some distance from this man who lives in a world of violence I can barely comprehend. But when he looks at me again, something warm and protective in his gaze, I find myself nodding.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He grunts in acknowledgment, but I catch the slight softening around his eyes.

"You did good today. Kept your head, protected your kid." He pauses. "Looked damn good with a gun, too."

Heat floods my cheeks at the unexpected compliment. Tommy giggles, apparently recovered from his fright.

"Mommy's a superhero too!"

This time, Joey does smile, and it transforms his whole face. It makes him look younger, softer somehow.

"Yeah, kid. I guess she is."

And sitting there on my kitchen floor, holding my son while a dangerous man promises to keep us safe – a man who’s now going outside to check on Derek, I realize I'm way over my head.

But maybe, just maybe, that's exactly where I want to be.

Chapter 5 - Butcher

I watch Wrath and Crow drag Derek's sorry ass to his car.

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