Page 45 of York

“I won’t lie. I was kind of hoping that you would be willing to help us. That’s why I came down here now. I mean, I did want Denny to know you and have a father figure in her life. But the timing just… it worked out.”

“And this place doesn’t trace back to you,” York said, waving toward the apartment. “And having neighbors is a good thing too.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a weapon?”

“I mean… I have knives in the kitchen. And bear spray.”

To that, he smirked.

“How do you feel about guns?”

“I mean, I grew up with guns. I think I shot my first one not much older than Denny is now.”

“How would you feel about me giving you a gun? A clean one that won’t trace to you if you ever have to use it.”

“I would feel like I’d need a really good safe to feel comfortable having it around Denny.”

“I can make that happen.”

“Then I’m open to it.”

“Bear spray is good. But only if it’s accessible. No digging around in your purse for it. And keep a separate one in your car.”

“I can do that.”

“A pocketknife is never a bad idea, either. I can get you a good one.”

“I’m not about to turn down any protective measures,” I told him. “I really thought I was going to die the past two encounters. I never want to be that vulnerable again.”

“You won’t be. You’ve got me now.”

I guess I did.

CHAPTER TWELVE

York

“Uh-oh. Trouble with the missus?” Dixon asked when I came through the back door and made a beeline for the liquor cabinet.

I was usually more of a beer guy when it came to casual drinking, especially outside of a party, so going right for the whiskey wasn’t common for me.

I poured three fingers and threw it back before turning to him, Velle, and Eddie.

“She’s been chased across half of the United States by guys who pretty seriously want her dead.”

The guys shared a look.

“That sounds about right,” Huck said, coming in from the laundry room. “What’d she get herself into?”

“That’s the thing. She has no idea. One day, she was a new mom just trying to figure shit out. The next, she had guys stalking her. At first, it was just that—the stalking. But then out of nowhere, it progressed to trying to run her off the road, poisoning, strangulation, and a nasty fight up in Georgia. She’s still got the bruises on her ribs.”

“What about the kid?” Huck asked, body tense. A family man himself, of course he was worried about Denali getting hurt.

“From what Runa has said, no one has put their hands on her. Yet.”

“But they did try to run her off the road. Presumably with the kid in the car.”