Page 21 of Peak’s Code

"We have two prospects down,” Captain said, and Maeve's heart sank. "They'll live,” Captain continued. “One brother caught a round in the shoulder."

Peak exhaled. "What about the attackers?"

"Three confirmed down, but others escaped,” Captain said.

Peak looked at Maeve. "They didn't come to win the war." Captain's voice hardened. "They came to send a message. Stay vigilant and call when you’re safe,” he ordered, and then ended the call.

Maeve stared at the dark tunnel stretching ahead. “I don’t think that they came here just to send a message," she said. Peak looked at her. "They came to confirm something."

"What do you think they needed to confirm?" he asked.

She took a slow breath. "They wanted to know if I'd found allies."

"And what do you think they found?" he asked.

She met his eyes. "Now, they know I have." The realization settled heavily between them. The attack hadn't been about rescuing her. It hadn't even been about killing her. It had been a test. The enemy had wanted to see how the Grave Prowlers would respond, and after watching a motorcycle club defend one woman with everything they had, the next attack wouldn't be a probe—it would be an execution.

Maeve followed Peak into the unexplored tunnel. The beam from his flashlight cut through decades of darkness, illuminating thick cobwebs and rough stone walls that looked as though they hadn't seen another living soul in generations. The tunnel was quieter than the first one, but it was too quiet. Every drop of water echoed off the walls, and every footstep sounded unnaturally loud.

Peak walked a few feet ahead, one hand on his pistol, the flashlight steady in the other. He wasn't rushing anymore. Every few yards he stopped, listening for any movement. She understood why. Professionals didn't just attack—they anticipated their prey’s next move.

"You keep looking over your shoulder."

Peak didn't turn around. “I'm making sure nobody's behind us."

"No." She shook her head, even though he couldn't see it. "You're looking for an ambush."

He smiled faintly. "Occupational hazard."

"I thought you fixed motorcycles,” she mumbled.

"I do,” he said.

"So where'd you learn to clear hallways?" That made him hesitate. "Are you military?" she guessed.

"No,” he said.

"Are you a cop?" she asked.

"No." She could tell that he was starting to get annoyed with her questioning him.

She frowned. "You don't move like a mechanic."

Peak finally looked back at her. "My grandfather believed every man should know how to protect his family."

"He taught you?" she asked.

"He hired people to teach me," Peak admitted.

She couldn't help smiling. "Rich grandfather, then?"

"Obscenely rich,” he grumbled.

"Do you come from old money?" she asked.

"Yep, the kind with embarrassing portraits of past generations hanging in the hallways,” he admitted.

Maeve laughed softly. "I would pay to see that."