She wanted to be invisible because it provided safety. She’d tried to remain as unobtrusive as possible for most of her life. That innate need of hers came in handy now, but eventually, once the dust settled and we found some sort of normalcy in the chaos of our lives, I’d make her shine. I’d demand she stand out like the amazing fucking diamond she was.

But today wasn’t that day. As I threaded our fingers and burrowed deeper into my hoodie, I kept my head low and led her through the throng of people arriving for the basketball game.

If I could escape a fucking underground sex trafficking tunnel with little more than a hoodie, then I shouldn’t have a problem watching my son’s game without raising too much suspicion. I’d spied him leaving school, had even followed him home to his grandparent’s humongous house on the hill, but this was the closest I’d had the nerve to venture.

Maybe having Alex at my side gave me the nudge I needed…because I had to see him one last time before Alex and I disappeared.

I had to know he was doing okay.

“Rafe?” she questioned again.

“C’mon.” I stepped up the bleachers, pulling her behind me. She hastened to match my long strides as I climbed to the top right corner. I sat down and pulled her onto my lap.

She hissed a breath between clenched teeth, and my damn cock responded to the pain in her voice. Rather than shift so her tender ass would settle more comfortably, I kept her planted there. Resting my chin on her shoulder, I let her shield my identity. Hopefully, people would only see two lovebirds cuddling in the back by themselves and not question why no one seemed to know the unfamiliar faces among them.

This hole of a town on the Oregon coast, where Will’s grandparent’s lived, wasn’t big, but the school wasn’t dinky either, since city hall had combined grades K through eight.

Sneakers pitter-pattered on the court below, and balls bounced, echoing off the walls. Some of the kids had arrived to warm up, but Will wasn’t among them yet. I drew in a deep breath and wrapped my arms around Alex’s middle, holding on to her for strength. For courage.

“You’re shaking,” she whispered.

“I’m scared as fuck.” That wasn’t easy for me to admit.

She went still in my arms. “What are we doing here?”