Chapter 4 - A Promise in the Dark
Martha walked around the counter, her expression softening into deep pity as she looked at Leo. "Jax, you need to call the sheriff," she urged softly. "You can't handle those men on your own, not with a child."
"The sheriff can't help with this," Jax replied grimly, folding the letter and tucking it securely into his inner vest pocket. "Vance owns half the deputies in this county. Calling them is like inviting him back in."
He turned back to Leo, placing a firm, reassuring hand on the boy's small shoulder. "Leo, I need you to listen to me very carefully. You're safe with me now. I promise you, nothing is going to happen to you."
Leo looked up into Jax's eyes, searching for any sign of deception. After a long moment, the boy gave a small, resolute nod. "I believe you, Dad."
The word Dad struck Jax like a physical blow. He had never heard it before, never imagined he deserved to hear it. A wave of profound grief and unexpected warmth washed over him. He stood up, taking Leo's small hand in his large, scarred palm.
"We're leaving," Jax said to Martha. "If anyone asks, you haven't seen us."
"Where will you go?" Martha asked, her eyes filled with concern. "They're watching the roads."
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"I know a place," Jax said grimly. He led Leo out the back door of the diner, into the chilly evening air where his black motorcycle sat idling in the shadows. He carefully lifted Leo onto the back of the bike, wrapping his spare jacket around the boy's small frame to protect him from the biting wind.
As they sped off into the darkening night, Jax glanced in his rear-view mirror and caught the flicker of headlights tailing them from a distance.
