Page 52 of Hammer

I set my tools back in their proper places, Dice’s words still bouncing around my skull like a stray bullet.The kid had balls, I’d give him that.Not many brothers would call me out so directly.I glanced at the ancient calendar hanging by the office door -- more for decoration than function since cell phones had made it obsolete.A flyer was tacked next to it, bright colors advertising the county fair starting this weekend.Ferris wheels, carnival games, cotton candy.Normal family shit that I hadn’t thought about -- ever.The kind of thing Amelia and her boys had probably missed out on, living under Piston’s control.The kind of thing I could give them now, if I got my head out of my ass.

I stared at the flyer, something tugging at my chest.When was the last time I’d done anything just for fun?When had Amelia’s boys last had a normal day out without looking over their shoulders?The fair would be crowded, public -- my security instincts immediately started cataloging potential threats.But with proper planning, with brothers watching our backs…

My fingers hesitated over my phone.What if she laughed at the idea?What if she saw it as obligation rather than genuine interest?What if the boys thought it was lame?

“Fuck it,” I muttered to the empty garage.I was overthinking this like some teenage boy asking for a first date.I hit Amelia’s number before I could talk myself out of it.

She answered on the third ring, her voice slightly breathless.“Hammer?Everything okay?”

Of course that was her first question.In our world, unexpected calls usually meant trouble.“Everything’s fine,” I said, my voice automatically softening in a way it only did with her and Aura.“Just finishing up at the garage.”

“Oh.Good.”She sounded relieved but confused.I rarely called just to chat.

I cleared my throat.“Thought maybe you and the kids might want to go to that county fair this weekend,” I said, trying to sound casual, like I suggested family outings every day.“Starts Friday.Runs through Sunday.”

The silence on the other end stretched just long enough for my stomach to tighten with regret.Then came her response -- a warmth in her voice I wasn’t expecting.

“A fair?The boys would love that.And so would I.”She paused.“Are you sure, though?It would be pretty public.”

Smart woman.Already thinking about security, just like I’d been.“I’ll handle that part,” I assured her.“Thought it might be good for the boys.And you.Something normal.”

“Normal sounds wonderful,” she said softly.In the background, I heard dishes clattering.She must be at the diner still.“What day were you thinking?”

“Saturday?I can get Aura to come too.”

“She’ll be thrilled.”The smile in Amelia’s voice made something warm unfurl in my chest.“Chase has been talking about her new motorcycle project all week.”

“Got it from a junkyard,” I confirmed.“More rust than metal, but she sees potential.”

“Like father, like daughter.”

The simple observation caught me off guard.Was that how Amelia saw me?Someone who found potential in broken things?The thought made me uncomfortable in a way I couldn’t define.

“I should get back to work,” she said after a moment.“But, Hammer?Thank you.This means a lot.”

“Just a fair,” I muttered, suddenly self-conscious.

“It’s more than that,” she replied.“I’ll see you at home.”

Home.The word hung in the air even after I ended the call.My house had become home because of her.Because of those boys.Because of the family we were awkwardly forming out of necessity and circumstance.

I shook off the sentiment and switched to security mode.A public outing meant exposure.Exposure meant risk.And with Piston still out there somewhere, I wasn’t taking chances.I scrolled through my contacts and placed another call.

“Viking,” came the graveled response.

“Need your eyes Saturday,” I said without preamble.“County fair.Taking the family.”

To Viking’s credit, he didn’t comment on “the family” part.“Time frame?”

“Midday to evening.Four others plus me.”

“Piston situation?”

“No concrete intel but not taking chances.”

“Copy that.Want me to bring Freya?Make it look casual?”

Smart.Viking’s friend Freya could blend in, watch areas I couldn’t.“Good idea.Bring the boy too if you want.”Freya’s son was a little younger than Levi, but he would help them blend into the crowd.

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