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“Paul,” Mom scolded.

“He’s gonna do it anyway. Might as well take the hit and get it over with.”

Mom started to argue, but I put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Dad’s right.”

She shook her head and led me deeper into the house.

The living room looked the same as I remembered. Blue furniture draped with hand-knit throw blankets. More family photos on the mantel. A woodstove that provided most of their heat in the winter.

Dad veered for the kitchen. “Can I get you a beer?”

“Don’t you think it’s a little early?” Mom asked.

He glanced at her with a hint of mischief in his expression. “No.”

She grinned. “Suit yourself.”

“Can I get my bride anything?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

I agreed with Dad. Given the circumstances, it was not too early for a beer. I accepted the bottle and took a sip as we all sat in the cozy living room.

“Listen, there’s something else I need to talk to you about,” I said.

Mom sat forward, her eyes intent on me.

How was I going to explain this? “The work I do is kind of…unique.”

“Illegal?” Dad asked.

Mom shot him a look.

I wasn’t offended. It was a fair question. “No. I’m legit, although I guess I do bend the rules sometimes.”

He shrugged, like that was just what a person did.

“So what is it you do?” Mom asked.

“Private security. Sometimes that means being a bodyguard. Other times it’s a little more tactical. I just got back from Peru, doing security for an archaeological site.”

“Wow,” Mom said. “Have you spent a lot of time overseas?”

“Off and on. My current client is different, though. She’s a single mom with a ten-year-old son. Her ex is a member of an outlaw motorcycle club. He showed up where she lives with the intention of taking the kid.”

Mom put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, no.”

“She’s tried to move before, but they always find her. So I thought it was time she got farther away.”

“They’re here with you?” Mom asked.

I nodded. “She’s back at the motel.”

“Reese Michael Haven,” Mom said, and I didn’t miss Dad’s smirk at the way she scolded me. “Why didn’t you bring them?”

“I will, I just figured I should see you first.”

She stood and swiped the beer from my hand. “Go. Get them. You can’t leave them in some motel room.”