“You can relax now, honey. Those two men out there”—Brooklyn took the lid off the LEGOs and pushed it toward Zak—“they won’t let anyone lay a finger on you or your kid ever again.” She paused. “If that’s what you want.”
“Yes. That’s what I want.” She rubbed her wrist. The now familiar bump still ached. “I never want to see … that personagain. Not for as long as I live.” She hadn’t wanted to say Gary in case Zak got upset. But it was the truth. As far as she was concerned, Gary was her ex and in her past.
“Good.” Brooklyn set her attention on Tammy. “Takes guts to leave, also takes guts to stay away, but I sense you’ve got guts. Well…” She chuckled. “Of course you have, you’re from the same stock as Hudson, and he’s the gutsiest man I know.”
It was the first compliment, however thin, Tammy had had in a long time. It added another brick to her wall of determination to make a new life for herself, much the same way as the tower Zak was building was growing.
Hudson opened the door. “Hey, Brooklyn, we’re off. Sorry to cut and run, doll, but there’s shi … stuff going down. I have to be there.”
“I understand, and you’ve done so much already.”
“I told you, it’s nothing. Nice to have you here, I’m looking forward to getting to know the little guy.” Hudson nodded at Zak. “And I’m leaving Jayden to keep an eye out, you know, until you feel settled.”
“That’s really not necessary, I—”
“Let me decide what’s necessary.” The tone of Hudson’s voice told her Jayden staying was not up for discussion.
“Okay, well, thank you.” She glanced out of the window. Jayden was out there, puffing on a cigarette and staring out to sea.
“And I’ll make a call this afternoon,” Brooklyn said, “arrange school for Zak. He should be able to start tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah, but under a different surname.” Brooklyn slid a piece of paper Tammy’s way. “This is my number. Add it to that cell of yours and let me know what name he’s gonna use. Not your maiden name, too obvious, but something that won’t confuse Zak.”
Tammy nodded. She hadn’t even thought of that. But of course, a new life would need new names.
Chapter Six
One week later
Jayden couldn’t deny that he was pissed about not being involved in club business for the last week. What with the shipment of weapons and trouble with the Mambas, it was not a time to be away from the compound.
Yet here he was.
Bored.
Sleeping outside on The Strand with a view of the ocean. Thank fuck it was summer.
He heard a bang coming from inside the house. Tammy moving about the kitchen.
He stood and stretched, his fingertips touching the overhang of the porch. At this time of the morning, the pale pink of sunrise touched the ocean, and the birds were still welcoming the day.
It had been an uneventful week. The asshole-husband a no-show. The kid had started the local elementary—the one Jayden had gone to with Brooklyn’s son Carter and their buddy Wyatt.
Tammy had chosen to spend the school hours locked in the house, appearing only to walk to the school at drop-off and collection time.
But not today. Jayden may have been given the task of keeping her secure, but that didn’t mean she was in prison. Oh, no, today he had plans.
“Morning,” she said, opening the door and offering forward a steaming mug. “You want eggs?”
“Sure?” He took the coffee. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you … like really, thanks to you being out here.”
He shrugged. “Sleep and sea air is suiting you.”
“It is?” She stepped back as he came into the house.