Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
It hits something deep in me. Makes the air go still. Because there’s something about that sound that’s more honest than screaming.
And I can’t unhear it.
I open the door—
“Dad! No!”
My father stands behind his desk, a pistol in his hand.
Fuck. I’m not armed. I’m way too young to have a concealed carry, and I don’t carry my piece around at home anyway.
But more alarming is who it’s pointing at.
Ted Tucker.
From the look in his eyes, I know my father is not bluffing. He’s deadly serious.
Ted’s hands are raised in surrender, his body rigid as he watches my father with wide eyes. The office air is thick with tension.
“Dad, what the hell are you doing?” I demand, my voice hoarse with shock and fear.
My father barely glances my way. His gaze is locked onto Ted, his face stony and unreadable. “Stay out of this, Hawk.”
“But Dad—”
“I said stay out of it!” His voice booms through the office, making me wince. “Get out, Hawk. Now.”
Ted stands frozen, his eyes flickering between my father and me.
The choking sobs. They were coming from Ted.
But his jaw goes rigid now. He glances at me, and something happens in his eyes. He finds his strength. “Do as your father says, Hawk. Leave. Now.”
“Dad, put the gun down!” I run over to him.
But my father is a solid wall of muscle and anger as he keeps the gun trained on Ted.
“Hawk,” he grits out. “Get out. This is between me and him.”
Ted nods again. “Listen to your father. Please.” His voice is no longer choked. It radiates strength.
I gulp.
“Ted, why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know. Just go.”
“Shut the fuck up, you degenerate.” Dad takes a slow step toward Ted. “I know what you’re after.”
“You’re wrong.” Ted’s voice is low, and it cracks softly. “I would never do anything to hurt your family.”
“Dad, please…”
“Get out, Hawk!”
Then the click as my father cocks the gun.
Without thinking, I push myself in front of Ted, putting myself between him and the gun. My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare down my father, but I refuse to let fear show on my face.
But it’s too late.
And darkness falls.
40
DANIELA
For a moment when I wake up, I’m not sure where I am.
Then I know.
Hawk’s place. Hawk’s bed.
I jerk upright.
Vinnie and Raven will be worried sick.
I grab my phone from my purse on the floor. Sure enough, there’s a text from Raven.
I’m fine, I text back. I’m at Hawk’s.
Then the three dots.
We figured you were. I tried to call you both but they went to voicemail.
Yeah, we were busy, but I don’t say this.
I’m sorry to worry you.
It’s okay. Love you.
Love you too.
Hawk isn’t in the bed next to me. Where is he? I walk to the bathroom. He’s not there. I turn on the shower and get in, letting the warm water pelt over me. After I wash my hair and then dry off, I put on my dress I wore to court yesterday without the underwear. Commando for now, until I get a change of clean undies.
Then I leave the bedroom.
I find Hawk in the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee.
I inhale. It smells so good, almost as good as the coffee I had back in Colombia.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” he says. “Did you shower without me?”
“Guilty,” I say. “But I’m always up for another.”
“Coffee?”
“Please.”
He hands me a cup and I take a long sip of the strong brew. “I had some calls from Raven,” I tell him.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I didn’t even hear it ring. My phone was buried in my purse. She and Vinnie were concerned when I didn’t come home.”
He cocks his head. “Didn’t you tell Raven you were spending the night with me?”
I shrug. “I did, but she probably wanted to check in. She knows about my history. But I’m an adult.” I sigh. “I should have let them know I’d be staying over, so I feel bad. I don’t want to cause them any pain.”
He gives my shoulders a squeeze. “Ray will get over it. So will Vinnie. Which reminds me, I haven’t looked at my phone in a while either.” He leaves the kitchen.
When he doesn’t return after ten minutes, I pour myself another cup of coffee.
I could get used to waking up in Hawk’s house.
I could get used to a lot of things.
41
HAWK
Five missed calls from Eagle, all from last night. A few from Robin this morning.
A bunch of texts from Eagle, too.
Asking for help.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
The last one just says I’m coming over.
The doorbell last night. That was Eagle.
He needed my help, and I ignored him.
But I was with Daniela… I couldn’t just leave—
Then my phone buzzes.
It’s Robin.
“Robbie?” I say.
“Damn, Hawk, I’ve been trying to get you for over an hour.”
“What is it?”
“It’s Eagle,” she says. “Something triggered him. Fuck, he’s been clean for so long.”