Biker’s Baker (Granite Peak Grizzlies MC #2)

Prologue

MARNIE

With my daughter cuddled tight against my body, I walk away from the house we’ve been staying in for the last couple of months. This is where we waited for my old life to finally end and my new one to begin. I have a new identity, and so does Oly.

I tried everything to get away before, but finding Sparrow House and making it there was the key.

They helped me in ways I can never repay.

You can’t just move away from the person you’re hiding from and hope it’s enough.

At least not for me. He has enough money.

He would always find me. Because of the life I had before, I needed to completely disappear.

The Adairs and Sparrow House made that possible.

Holden leads me through the darkness to the car and helps load my bags into the trunk.

He’s done so much for me. He helped me convert the jewelry I brought with me into cash.

He made sure the sale of the marked gems could never be traced back to my new identity.

He set up new accounts and taught me how to hide the money so no one could ever find it.

He even helped me hire a hacker who will keep my new identity hidden and alert me if my old life ever finds me.

With what I stole when I ran this time, I have everything I need to start over. I can live comfortably as long as I stay within my means. I can give up Louis Vuitton and designer clothes for my daughter. I don’t need a car service or a maid. I know how to take care of myself.

Since I was a little girl and first saw images of Alaska, I’ve wanted to go there.

After everything changed while I was working in Paris, I thought I’d never get the chance.

Watching Jean-Louis be murdered, I was afraid I’d never get away.

But with the Adairs and Sparrow House, I’ve been able to make that dream a reality.

I’m heading to Alaska now, and I’ve already started the process of finally making my dreams come true.

My hands fidget in my lap as I glance into the back seat, where Olympia is buckled into her car seat, then look out the rear window to make sure we aren’t being followed.

I know he will never let me go, but I have to keep us hidden until I can get Oly somewhere she’s safe or old enough to never be near him.

“Don’t worry, Marnie. You’re safe. I made sure of it this time.”

I look over at Holden in the driver’s seat. He’s classically handsome, but there’s a darkness to him. It’s funny that his darkness doesn’t scare me like the darkness in the man—and men—I ran from.

“Remember, you are only as safe as you make yourself.” He knows more about the man I’m running from than I ever did until now.

Holden showed me everything I needed to know, and now I understand the full scope of the danger we’re in.

Keeping Oly and myself safe matters more than ever.

Our lives depend on it. I know I’ve been sold, and so has my precious little girl.

But I will never let him get his hands on us again if I can help it.

“I know. It’s more serious this time. I have to do this for her.” I tip my head toward the back seat and see Oly’s head lulled to the side, fast asleep.

“Remember that,” he says. “She’s the priority this time. Her safety.”

“I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you.”

“Not necessary. Just stay safe.”

“I will.”

We pull up to the airport, and I step out of the car. Holden follows and helps with the luggage while I lift Oly from her car seat and grab it. I want to hug him, but I don’t. I doubt his wife would like that, and he’s not the type to hug anyone but his family.