Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Hawke’s thumbs drum against the steering wheel cheerfully, but the dark circles under his eyes suggest he’s not sleeping much. When I spoke to Billie only a few days ago, she said Ford hasn’t been coming home much at all, which tells me that something big is happening in their world as well. I want to ask Hawke about it, but I know he won’t betray Eli’s trust. I almost feel selfish for dragging him into this. Even after he came over last night and I told him I’d handle it on my own, he promised he’d see it through with me to the end.
We’re about to meet with Hope and her detective, Braxton, at an Italian restaurant. “Play nice with the detective,” I warn.
Braxton and Hawke never get along, but if I’m asking Braxton for a favor, I need Hawke to be on his best behavior.
Hawke looks at me, baffled, before parking the car, and the two of us climb out.
“I’m always nice. Besides, he’s a dick. Also, why do you still call him ‘detective’?”
I smirk. “Because I don’t give guys a nickname unless I know they’re going to be sticking around. Plus, I love pissing everyone off by reminding them that he’s a detective.” It’s highly amusing.
He stops dead in his tracks. “What’s my nickname?”
I look over my shoulder and shrug. “I don’t know. You’ve just always been Hawke.”
“Not even Hawke the Great?”
“Definitely not Hawke the Great. Oh, wait. There is something else I call you…” I tap my chin thoughtfully, and he leans in with anticipation. “Asshole. Or arrogant prick. I learned that one from my mother.”
His expression drops as Hope greets us at the entrance. I give her a hug, and Hawke does the same, holding her so tightly her feet no longer touch the ground.
“Too much,” she says as she taps him on the shoulder. “Braxton is inside getting us a table. I just wanted to see how you were first.”
I give Hawke a pointed look. He really can’t keep anything a secret.
“What? We were coming here to discuss your friend’s death anyway, so it made sense that I gave them that information first.”
I roll my eyes as I walk alongside Hope, with Hawke following us like a bodyguard. It never ceases to amaze me the reactions we get when out in public with this man. Men look at him in horror, and most women salivate as if he’s some deadly god. He looks so out of place in these settings, and his size is imposing, not to mention his monstrous laugh.
When Braxton spots us, he stands. He takes one step toward me, and Hawke’s voice slices over my shoulder. “Don’t you dare hug her.”
Hope is smirking as she moves to Braxton’s side, and I curse under my breath at Hawke. “I said play nice.”
“Yeah, Hawke, play nice,” Braxton says with a cocky smile. Oh fuck, this was a bad idea. I forgot how much these two hate each other.
“Is that a threat?” Hawke’s quick to ask.
“Enough. You both have to be real dicks to ruin pasta for anyone. Sit,” I say, pointing at a chair for Hawke to sit in.
He grumbles his complaint, but does exactly as he’s told. Hope giggles as she sits beside Braxton. The two men stare at one another, Braxton seemingly smug as he takes a swig of his beer.
“I’m sorry to hear about your friend. The one on the news,” Braxton begins. I give Hawke a pointed look. I’m unsure how much he’s told him. Hawke’s gaze suddenly finds the ceiling very interesting.
“Thank you. I actually might need your help with something related to that. An opportunity for you to play hero,” I suggest as the waitress comes over and offers us drinks. I ask for water, and can see Hope’s surprise at that, but her jaw drops when Hawke asks for the same.
“I’m always interested in maintaining a good reputation,” Braxton says with a conniving smile. The truth is, he’s dirty as they come. But between him and Hope, I have no doubt they’re as bad as each other. Christ, I didn’t even realize she was a serial killer for years. Yet it feels strange to admit my own secrets. I suppose he’s as good as any in the friendship circle.
“I was hired for a job. I received payment, and I was advised to record and send the recording to a particular email address. I don’t usually ask any questions past that, for the record.”
Braxton looks to Hope and then back to me. “A job like you’ve done for Hope?” he asks.
Hawke’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, but I ignore him. He doesn’t know what hand I have to play in Hope’s business, and that’s just one example of why I’m a vault. I put my hand on his thigh under the table, and it seems enough to distract him as huge plates of pasta are set in the middle of the table. Hawke’s eyes light up as he sees the mountain of food. I try not to laugh as I wait for others in earshot to walk away.