Page 37 of Peer & Coco

Chapter 14

The last duffle fellon the pile in the middle of the alley outside the Slag clubhouse. Peer stood around the empty bags they'd brought back with them after dropping off the weapons they'd confiscated from Lagsturns Motorcycle Club to the Slag Seattle Chapter. The only mishap happened to Joel, who'd been waylaid by a Lagsturns' member who ran him off the road before Brage and Peer rode up, shooting to keep their enemy from killing Joel.

Besides a hip covered in road rash, Joel was able to continue on to Seattle where he'd recuperate for a few days before heading back to Portland.

"Everyone grab a bag, go home or crash here, and get some sleep." Roar looked around at the members filling the alley. "Another good job, brothers. We'll celebrate tomorrow night."

Peer stepped forward, picked up an empty duffle, and headed to his Harley. The sun had been up an hour, and he wanted to get back before Tyr woke up and find out what Kelli wanted.

When he'd received Coco's message, he'd almost turned around and came back to Portland.

At one time, he'd trusted Kelli. To a point.

She was always moody and temperamental, but he'd had ways of calming her down. She could be sweet when the mood hit.

But her irrational side ruled her brain. He no longer trusted her. Not with Tyr. Not with Coco.

He rode toward the gate and out to the street. Within minutes, he pulled into the driveway and strolled up to the house. Using his key, he entered quietly and shut the door. He put his pistol up in the closet, removed his boots, and walked down the hallway into Tyr's room to check on him and found Coco in the rocker asleep.

Standing in the doorway, he glanced over at his son to make sure he slept and then stepped over to the rocker. He leaned down and picked Coco up.

She startled. "Wh—?"

"Sh. I'm home." He carried her out of the room and into his bedroom. "Have you been sitting in there all night?"

He laid her on the bed. She pulled him down with her.

"I didn't want to leave him after..." Her eyes widened, coming fully awake. "Did you get my message?"

"Ja." He exhaled loudly and pulled her to him. "What did Kelli do?"

"She came to talk to me. I think she believed I would convince you to let her see Tyr." She propped herself up on her arm. "I told her to leave and locked the door. Afterward, I wanted to stay in Tyr's room because it didn't feel right leaving him alone. I must've fallen asleep."

"You're tired." He smoothed the worry away from the corners of her eyes. "You did the right thing."

He had one woman who gave up her baby and another woman who would do anything possible to make sure that baby was safe and loved. His chest pounded with respect. Coco had gone beyond what he'd expected from her, and he wouldn't forget.

"Go back to sleep. I'll stay up and keep Tyr occupied when he wakes while you rest." He kissed her lips softly, wishing he could slide between her legs and then crash afterward.

She snuggled into the pillow. "I'll just take a short nap. I want to hear what you've been up to and make you breakfast."

He kissed her forehead and walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. Needing a few minutes to calm down and prepare himself for Tyr getting up, he went into the living room and sat on the couch.

During the ride and the visit to the Seattle Chapter to drop off the supplies, he hadn't let himself think about the consequences of Kelli showing up at the house. What in the hell was she doing dropping in without calling first?

Had she known he wasn't going to be home?

Was it her way to get to Tyr and take him away?

There wasn't a policeman in the state of Oregon who wouldn't arrest him on sight if he went after Kelli. The authorities would side with the mother, never the father.

He ran his hands over his face. The only way he'd get answers would be to listen to Coco and find out exactly what Kelli said. Then, he'd have to think of what Kelli would do before she stole his son from him.

Fisting his hands, he wanted to punch the fucking wall. For months, he worried about Kelli coming back and wanting to be a part of Tyr's life. Maybe he should go with his gut instinct to take Tyr to Norway. He shouldn't have waited so long.

But, Coco was here.

Now that they were together, he couldn't separate his family.