Page 13 of Declan's Dove

Declan’s a biker and ex-military.

Shit. This is a bad situation. I don’t know what I’m walking into.

“No. I’m okay. I’ll keep myself locked inside the closet until you call to tell me you’re here. I have everything I need. Kayce stocked the safe room. I have a mini fridge full of water, nonperishable snacks, a couple of portable chargers for my phone, and a loaded Kindle with plenty of reading material to keep me occupied.” She sounds exhausted. “How will you get here in a couple of hours? Do you have a magic carpet I don’t know about?” Her words are slurring slightly.

“Did you take anything?”

“Nuh-uh. Just tired.”

Shit. She could be concussed.

“Turn off your iPhone. Only use the burner if you need it.” I remind her. “Do you have your panic button with you?”

“Not using it. Kayce will come in guns blazing.” Mili huffs.

“Do you have pain meds?”

“Yeah, but I’m only taking over the counter and only half the recommended dose for now. I don’t want to fall asleep until someone can be here with me.”

“Do you remember if you hit your head?”

“One of them punched me, but it’s not too bad. I just have a headache.” She hiccups. “I have Tylenol, but I need to be alert in case they invade my home. I didn’t see anyone following me, but they found the clinic. It wouldn’t be hard to find where I live.”

“Okay. Stay where you are. I’m packing some things now. As soon as I can get Carter up and ready, I’ll get him off to school and be on my way,” I reassure her as I do as I say and start shoving clothes into a duffel bag and a few extra things I think she may need like breakable ice packs and prescription meds. I remember all too well the pain that hits after the adrenaline wears off.

I hurry through the house, gathering my shoes and heading for Carter’s door.

He’s laid out on his belly like a starfish, still sound asleep. I sit down on the edge of his bed and swipe my hand down his cheek. “Wake up, buddy.”

“Mm-mm.” He grumbles, turning his head away from me.

I smile. “Carter, wake up, baby. You’ve got to get ready for school.”

He rolls back toward me and rubs his eyes. “Can we have a hooky day like we used to?” He realizes what he said and sits up quickly, apologizing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean like we used to when we had to hide the bruises. I just meant …”

I cup his face in my hands and look him in the eyes, fighting back the tears the memories try to bring. “I know what you meant. You want a day with just us and no responsibilities.”

He nods. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Mama.”

“You didn’t, sweet boy. I’m worried about a friend. But everything will be all right soon enough.” I kiss his forehead, then stand. “Come on. Get up and get ready for school. I’ll go make us some breakfast. How do pancakes sound?”

“On a school day?” He looks puzzled. “You said it’s too much sugar to have pancakes before school.”

Smart kid.

“Well, I changed my mind. But if you’d rather not have them, I can make oatmeal instead.”

“Pancakes are great!” he says excitedly, shoving me toward the door. “I have to get dressed. No girls allowed.” I laugh as I get shoved into the hallway and his door is slammed shut.

Once in the kitchen, I grab the box of pancake mix, some milk, oil, and an egg and begin mixing everything together. Putting the small griddle iron on the counter and plugging it in, I begin to formulate a plan for what to do with Carter when I leave.

I can’t take him with me. It’s too risky.

Going back to Baron’s Edge is already a huge risk for me and I’m sure when Kayce finds out what I’ve done, he’ll blow a fuse. James shouldn’t be looking for me since everyone in the town believes me and Carter are dead, but if I were to somehow run into him, there’s no way he’d let me go again.

I don’t even want to imagine what he would do if he found Carter.

I pour the batter on the skillet and begin cooking two small pancakes. Carter enters the room. He sets his backpack down and plops down in a chair at the table.

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