Page 15 of Heart of a Hero

As we stepped out into the cool evening air, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The fear and anxiety that had gripped me during Rex’s outburst were slowly replaced by a sense of safety and peace. I knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Dawson by my side, I felt like I could face anything.

We walked to the parking lot in comfortable silence, the events of the night still fresh in our minds. As we reached Dawson’s truck, he turned to me, his expression soft and sincere. “Are the two of you all right?”

I nodded. “We’re good.”

“Is he always like that with you?” Dawson asked.

I bit my lip and glanced down at Taylor. Dawson seemed to understand what I wanted and helped her into the back seat, then shut the door. Once I knew my little girl couldn’t hear us, I decided to be truthful with Dawson.

“Yes, he’s always like that at the café, and… I used to date him.”

Dawson folded his arms and studied me. I knew he probably wondered what I’d ever seen in someone like Rex. Truth be told, he’d been sweet to me at first. I hadn’t realized he was luring me in. Once I’d been caught in his trap, he’d made sure I didn’t have a way to escape. Until I’d proven him wrong and left his sorry ass.

Except Rex didn’t let go of things easily, much less people he felt belonged to him. I was so grateful I hadn’t told him about the baby. If I had, things would have been even worse.

“What if you got a restraining order against him?” Dawson asked. “I know someone who can help you file one.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Dawson’s eyebrow lifted. “You’llthinkabout it?”

“Do you really think Rex is the type of person to let a piece of paper stop him? Because I don’t.”

“Fair enough. Come on. Let’s go home.”

He opened the front passenger door and helped me into the truck. I liked that he wasn’t making a big deal out of this. But something told me this wasn’t over yet. Dawson probably had more questions, and it was only fair that I answer them.

I only hoped he didn’t decide I was more trouble than I was worth.

Chapter Five

Dawson

I drummed my fingers on the worn wooden table, the scent of stale beer and cigarette smoke hanging heavy in the clubhouse air. The low rumble of idle conversation and clinking bottles faded into the background as my mind raced with thoughts of Nora and Taylor, their safety hanging in the balance.

Across from me sat Jaxon, Jordan, and Logan -- some of my closest friends. I knew if anyone could help protect Nora from that abusive piece of shit Rex, it was these men. Men who lived by a code of honor and loyalty, who would lay down their lives for what was right. Of course, the Dixie Reapers would do the same, just without following the rules. I wasn’t sure I wanted to introduce my girls to that world right now. My parents could be a bit much for most people, and Nora had already been through a lot.

I leaned forward, elbows on the table. “I need some help, or suggestions. I’ll take either. It’s about Nora.”

Their faces turned grim, jaws clenching in unison. I’d already talked about her a bit, and even those who hadn’t responded to the apartment fire knew about it. I had a feeling they’d likely heard about Rex’s visit to the café as well. News traveled fast in small towns. Thankfully, some news I was able to keep under wraps… like the fact I’d helped start the Swift Angels. It wasn’t like all the Dixie Reapers didn’t know. Just the majority of them. But there were still plenty, like my dad and grandpa, who didn’t.

“What’s that asshole Rex done now?” Jaxon growled, fingers tightening around his beer bottle until his knuckles turned white.

Yep, they’d heard about it. I dragged a hand down my face, the stubble rough against my palm. “He’s been abusing her for God knows how long. I have a feeling it wasn’t all verbal. And now she’s three months pregnant with his kid.”

“Son of a bitch,” Jordan muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disgust. Logan remained silent, but the fury in his eyes spoke volumes.

“She finally left him, but it looks like he’s been stalking her. I don’t think he showed up at her work just for the coffee. I’m worried sick he’s gonna hurt her or Taylor when I’m not around to stop him.” Desperation seeped into my voice, my chest constricting at the thought. If things were different and I were a Dixie Reaper and not a Swift Angel, I knew the solution would be to bury the fucker. Sadly, I was a civil servant, and the law frowned on murder.

Jaxon slammed his fist on the table, bottles rattling. “Not on our watch. Nora’s family now. We protect our own.”

Family? They were acting like I’d made her mine. Which, I had to admit, that’s what I wanted to do. Didn’t matter we’d just met. The moment I’d looked into her eyes, I’d known. Hell, now I really did sound like my dad.

Jordan and Logan nodded in agreement. Looked like everyone considered Nora to be mine. Except probably Nora herself.

“So what’s the plan, Dawson?” Logan asked. “How do we handle this bastard?”

I leaned back, the beginnings of a plan taking shape in my mind. It wouldn’t be pretty, and I was a little iffy on the whether it would be entirely legal, but I’d keep things as clean as possible. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t blur a few lines, but I didn’t want to go to the lengths my dad would and outright kill the bastard. Well, I would actually love to watch the light fade from his eyes, but I refused to be that type of man. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t make the bastard hurt as much as possible. Rex had no idea the world of pain he’d just brought down on himself.

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