Page 7 of Hammer

“That’s exactly why we gotta leave it behind.”He crouched down, checking underneath the chassis now.What the heck was he looking for under there?“First thing Piston’s gonna look is for this vehicle.Plates, VIN number, make, model… he’s got people who can track this shit faster than you’d believe.Especially if he’s attached a GPS tracker to it.”

I swallowed hard, knowing he was right.Piston had connections everywhere -- police, DMV, even some judges.That was how he’d found us the last time I tried to run.The memory of that night made my hands shake, and I shoved them into my pockets to hide my fear from Scratch.I’d found my courage once before, and after it ended so horribly, I’d vowed to never run again.Until now.“So what do we do?How do we get anywhere without a car?”The panic in my voice was rising, despite my efforts to stay calm.

Scratch straightened up and moved to check the license plate, giving it a tug to ensure it was secure.“Already taken care of.”He reached inside his cut and pulled out three bus tickets, extending them toward me.

I stared at them, afraid to reach out, as if they might disappear.“Where do they go?”

“Alabama.Dixie Reapers will take care of you there.”His voice softened just slightly, the closest thing to gentleness I’d heard from him.“You’ll be far enough away that Piston won’t think to look, and you’ll have protection.”

My fingers closed around the tickets, feeling the weight of what they represented -- freedom, safety, a chance for my boys to live without fear.“The Dixie Reapers… will they really help us?We’re nothing to them.”

“You’re under their protection now.All of you.”Scratch glanced at the boys.“Club takes that seriously.Their President, Savior, he’s a good man.Better than most.He’s arranged everything.”

“What does that mean?”I asked, watching as Chase positioned himself slightly in front of Levi his gaze scanning everywhere for threats.

“Means you’ve got a job waiting.Place to live too.”Scratch nodded toward my sons as they approached.“Boys will be able to go to school, have normal lives.”

I clutched the tickets tighter, afraid to believe it could be that simple.“Why would they do all this for us?”

“Club has a code.Women and children don’t deserve the shit men like Piston dish out.”His expression darkened.“Besides, Piston’s made enemies with more clubs than just ours.Dixie Reapers have connections to some of those clubs, including ours, so they have their own score to settle.”

Chase reached us first, dropping the bags at his feet and eyeing Scratch with open suspicion.He already carried himself like a man, shoulders squared against whatever the world threw at us.Like he was ready to fight everything and everyone.

“We ready to go?”he asked me, not Scratch.Always protective, my Chase.

Levi hung back slightly, his slim frame nearly hidden behind his brother, but his eyes were alert, taking in everything.

I nodded, showing them the tickets.“We’re taking a bus.”I tried to sound confident, for their sake.“To Alabama.”

Chase’s eyes narrowed.“What about the car?”

“Can’t take it,” Scratch answered before I could.“Too easy to track.”

I watched as understanding passed between them.Chase’s jaw tightened, but Levi nodded.

“Dixie Reapers,” Levi said quietly.“That’s the MC outside Mobile, right?I read about them when I was looking for places we could go.”

Scratch raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Levi’s knowledge.“That’s right, kid.You did your homework.”

A hint of pride crossed Levi’s face, quickly replaced by his usual serious expression.“They have a reputation for protecting women and children,” he added, looking at me.“It’s a good choice, Mom.”

I felt tears threatening and blinked them back.My boys -- one so physically strong, the other so mentally sharp -- both trying to be men before their time because they’d never had the luxury of being children.

“Bus leaves in an hour,” Scratch said, checking his watch.“We need to move.Someone from the club will take care of this car, make it disappear.”

I nodded, gripping the tickets like a lifeline.Hope mixed with terror in my chest -- terror that Piston would find us again, hope that this time, we might truly escape.

Chase picked up our bags, his uncertain gaze meeting mine for just a moment before his expression hardened into determination.Levi stood at his side, brown eyes resolute behind his glasses.They were ready.We all were.

It was time to leave the nightmare behind.

The walk to the bus station felt like running a gauntlet.Scratch led the way, his broad shoulders creating a shield between us and whatever dangers might lurk in the quiet streets.I kept Chase and Levi close, one on either side of me, my gaze constantly scanning our surroundings.Every car that passed made my heart stutter, every shadow seemed to hide one of Piston’s men waiting to drag us back to that hell.The few blocks might as well have been miles.

“Keep your head down,” Scratch instructed, his voice low enough that only we could hear.“Don’t make eye contact with anyone.”

Chase walked stiffly beside me, his body coiled tight like a spring ready to release.His hand kept brushing against mine, a silent reassurance that he was ready to protect us if needed.Levi stayed on my other side, his steps quick to keep up, taking in everything around us with those observant eyes.

“Are we being followed?”I whispered to Scratch when he glanced back for the third time in as many minutes.

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