Chapter 5: A Shield of Leather
Word spreads fast in a small town, especially among those who ride. By late afternoon, the low rumble of heavy engines echoed down the rural highway.
Mia looked out the window of the upstairs apartment and gasped. A dozen motorcycles were turning into the driveway. Men and women in heavy leather vests, rugged jeans, and boots parked their bikes in a protective semicircle around the garage entrance.
""Who are they?"" Mia asked, shrinking back slightly.
Hank knelt beside her at the window. ""Those are my brothers and sisters from the club. When one of us needs help, everybody shows up. They aren't here to hurt anyone, Mia. They’re here to make sure nobody hurts you.""
Downstairs, the group gathered around Hank. Among them was Marcus, a large man with a grey beard and kind eyes, and Kelly, a tough-looking woman with grease under her fingernails who ran the local body shop.
""We heard Vance is trying to use his high-priced lawyers to push the county around,"" Marcus said, resting a hand on Hank’s shoulder. ""Word is he’s got connections in the district judge's office.""
""He won't touch her,"" Hank said quietly. ""Not while I'm breathing.""
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Kelly smiled warmly, looking up toward the apartment window where Mia was peeking out. ""She needs a legal advocate who isn't afraid of big-city lawyers. I'll call Elena. She handled my sister's custody case—she’s tough as nails.""
Mia watched from above as the group shared coffee, laughed, and stood guard at the edge of the property. For the first time since her mother had passed away, she felt like she was standing behind an impenetrable wall of love.
