Page 30 of Hammer

I showed her the panic button installed beside the front door, disguised as a light switch.“Signal goes directly to Wire and to my phone.”

“And the boys’ school?”she asked, her voice steadier now that we were discussing logistics rather than the elephant in the room.

“Tank’s wife knows someone there.She’ll keep an eye on them.Plus, I’ve got Prospects watching the campus.”I hesitated, then added, “Chase seems to like the garage.He could work there after school if he wants.Safer than having him wander.”

Something softened in her expression.“He told me he’s been learning about engines.”

“Kid’s got a knack for it.”I moved toward the kitchen, needing space from her grateful look.“Phone’s hooked up.Important numbers are programmed in.Mine’s number six on speed dial, but Savior is number one and Saint is number two.”

The boys emerged from their rooms, Chase positioning himself slightly in front of Levi, his stance wide and protective.My respect for the kid notched higher.He might be a pain in my ass with his attitude, but he looked after his brother.

“You got cameras inside too?”Chase asked, eyes narrowed.

“No,” I said firmly.“Your privacy matters.Just outside, for security.”

Levi spoke for the first time since they’d arrived.“The Wi-Fi password?”

I couldn’t help the slight twitch of my lips.Kid had priorities.“Figured you’d already know it, but to answer your question, it’s written on the router in your mom’s room.It’s secure.Encrypted.”

Levi nodded, seemingly satisfied, and disappeared back into his room.

I turned to leave, suddenly aware of how much space I took up in the small duplex.My shoulders nearly brushed the doorframe, my boots loud on the laminate flooring.Amelia looked small standing in the middle of the living room, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

“Hammer,” she said quietly as I reached for the door.“About what I said before…”

I held up my hand, stopping her.“Not now.Let’s get you settled first.”

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded.Relief and disappointment warred in her expression.

“I’m just down the road if you need anything,” I added, my voice gruffer than I intended.“Aura, my daughter, will probably stop by later.She’s excited to meet you properly.Unless you’ve already met?”

“No, I haven’t.And thank you,” she said, those two simple words carrying the weight of everything she couldn’t say.

I nodded and stepped outside, taking my first deep breath since entering the duplex.The responsibility of her offer pressed on my shoulders like a physical weight.She’d offered herself to me for protection.Part of me -- the part that had been alone too long -- wanted to accept.But another part knew she was offering out of desperation, not desire.And I was too old, too jaded, and too damn honest to take advantage of that.

For now, I’d focus on keeping them safe.The rest could wait.

I heard Aura’s bike before I saw it, the distinctive rumble of her Sportster cutting through the compound’s afternoon noise.She’d customized that engine herself, insisted on doing the work alone even though I’d offered to help.Stubborn girl.She pulled up outside the duplex, killing the engine with a practiced flick.Some dads might’ve worried about their daughters riding, but Aura handled that bike like it was an extension of herself.She’d been riding for more than five years now, and she was better than half the brothers in the club.

I stood on the porch, watching as she removed her helmet and hung it on her handlebars.Her dark hair fell loose around her shoulders, and the afternoon sun caught the colorful tattoos covering her left arm.My girl had always been fearless, from the day I’d found her at sixteen, nearly broken by the men who’d trafficked her, but never surrendering her spirit.

Aura spotted me and waved before hurrying up the steps.She shoved past me.She didn’t knock -- just rapped twice on the door frame before pushing it open.“Hello?Anyone home?”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.No one could resist Aura when she decided to befriend them.Amelia and her boys didn’t stand a chance.

I peered inside just in time to see Aura wrapping Amelia in a hug.The older woman stiffened for a moment before relaxing, uncertainty written across her face.

“I’m Aura,” my daughter announced, pulling back to beam at Amelia.“Hammer’s kid.Well, adopted, but he’s still stuck with me.”She winked at me over her shoulder.

“Nice to meet you,” Amelia said, her voice soft but genuine.“I’m --”

“Amelia,” Aura finished for her.“And these must be Chase and Levi.”She turned to the boys.Without hesitation, she moved to hug them too.Chase froze like he’d been shot, arms hanging awkwardly at his sides.Levi looked bewildered by this hurricane of a woman who’d blown into their space.

“I thought we should celebrate your first night properly,” Aura continued, undeterred by their reaction.“I could cook dinner for everyone!We could eat at our place -- we have a bigger table.”

I snorted.“If by ‘cook’ you mean ‘set off the smoke alarm,’ then sure.”

Aura spun around, pointing an accusing finger at me.“That was one time!”

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