"Sorry about the mess," I say, even though the place is relatively clean. Just sparse and sad-looking.
"This isn't a mess." Chaos closes the door behind him, his eyes scanning the room. "You should see my place. Barely have furniture."
I carry Liam toward the small bedroom we share, laying him gently in the crib I bought secondhand. He doesn't wake, just shifts and sighs, his thumb finding his mouth. My heart swellswatching him. No matter how hard everything else is, I have him. That's enough.
When I return to the living room, Chaos is still standing by the door, looking uncomfortable. Like he's not sure if he should sit or leave or what to do with his hands. It's oddly endearing, seeing this big, tattooed biker looking uncertain.
"You can sit," I tell him, gesturing to the couch. "I'll make the coffee."
He lowers himself onto the couch like he's worried he might break it. I escape into the kitchen, really just a corner of the living room with a stove, sink, and mini fridge, and busy myself with making coffee.
My hands shake as I measure grounds into the ancient coffee maker. What am I doing? I don't know how to do this. I don’t know how to have a friend over for coffee like a normal person. The last two years have been spent running, hiding, keeping everyone at arm's length.
The coffee maker gurgles to life, filling the small space with the rich scent of brewing coffee. I pull down two mugs. Mismatched ones I found at a thrift store and try to calm my racing thoughts.
"So," Chaos says from the couch, his voice startling me. "How long you planning to stay in Blackwater Falls?"
I don't know how to answer because I never plan to stay anywhere. I plan to run the moment my family finds me, the moment things get too dangerous.
"I don't know," I say honestly, leaning against the counter. "I never know. Depends on how long it takes before they find me again."
"They found you pretty quick this time."
"Yeah." I wrap my arms around myself. "I think Marcus hired someone to track me. Every time I move, they show up within weeks. Sometimes days."
Chaos's jaw tightens. "That's not right. You shouldn't have to live like that."
"I don't have a choice." The words come out bitter. "They have money for lawyers and private investigators. I have nothing. If I stay in one place too long, they'll build a case against me. Prove I'm unstable because I keep moving. Use it to take Liam."
"They can't just take him. You're his mother."
"They can try." I pour coffee into both mugs, my hands steadier now. "And with enough money and the right lawyers, they might succeed. So, I run. It's the only thing I know how to do anymore."
I carry the mugs over, handing one to Chaos before settling on the opposite end of the couch. He takes a sip, then makes a face.
"What?" I ask, defensive.
"Nothing. Just strong." But there's a smile tugging at his lips. "I like it strong."
We sit in silence for a moment, sipping coffee. It should be awkward. We barely know each other, but somehow it's not. It's almost comfortable, which terrifies me more than anything.
"Can I ask you something?" I venture.
"Shoot."
"The Savage Riders. What's that like? Being in a motorcycle club?" I've never met anyone in an MC before. My only reference is movies and TV shows, which probably aren't accurate.
Chaos considers the question, rolling his coffee mug between his palms. "It's family. Real family, not the kind you're born into butthe kind you choose. We protect each other, look out for each other. Brotherhood means something."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Can be." He doesn't sugarcoat it. "We've had trouble with rival clubs. Had to fight to protect what's ours. But we're working on going fully legitimate now. King's making sure of it."
"King. That's your president, right??" I remember him mentioning the name.
"Yeah. Best man I've ever known." There's genuine respect in Chaos's voice. "He built the club from nothing after he got out of the military. Gave guys like me a place to belong when we had nowhere else to go."
"Guys like you?"
