Page 56 of Hawk

Laura’s gray gaze lit up, and she nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”

By the time the food arrived, we were more relaxed and comfortable with one another. Things almost felt like they were before, but not quite. We managed a few laughs and smiles, and conversation never waned.

“How about a late-night ride, Laura?”

Her lips stretched into a pleased smile. “I can’t think of anything better.”

That was music to my ears.

***

After paying the bill, we headed out into the starry night. The air was warmer than usual, which made it perfect weather for a nice long ride. Feeling the low thrum of my engine as my Harley ate up miles of open road was my happy place, especially with Laura’s arms wrapped around me, tight enough to be safe but not clinging for dear life.

We rode for a few miles before I felt her relax her head against my back. I smiled at the sign of trust and gunned the engine, eating up the smooth paved road while the wind whipped against our skin. Tonight revealed glimpses of her when she let her guard down, when she opened up to me. Let me see her vulnerable side.

Laura wrapped her fingers tightly around the fabric of my t-shirt and I glanced over my shoulder to look at her, but the sight of headlights in the distance stole my focus.

There were multiple headlights, but not from multiple cars. “Shit.” They were single—at least five—headlights and they gained on us with each passing mile. Motorcycle headlights, which almost certainly meant trouble.

“Hang on,” I shouted to Laura, unsure if she heard me until her grip tightened.

I sped up as much as I could, but they gained on us quickly. Too quickly. I turned down the first dirt road I could find, knowing what we would have to do next, and turned off my headlights.

Laura jumped off the bike and flipped up her helmet visor. “What the hell is going on, Hawk?”

“We’ve got company.” I nodded towards the highway where the persistent roar of the engines grew louder and louder. “We can’t outrun them on the bike. There are too many of them.” We would be easy targets with five against one.

“Okay.” She nodded and looked over her shoulder quickly. “What do we do?”

I took one beat to appreciate the trust she had in me now. “We need to find someplace to lay low for a bit.” I sent a quick text to Slate and then grabbed her hand just as the bikes circled back to the dirt road. “Let’s go!”

She tightened her grip on my hand. “I’m right behind you.”

We took off like hell just as bullets started flying. “Keep your head down,” I shouted, and pulled her in front of me. “Run!”

My woman didn’t hesitate, she took off towards a small shed about half a mile away. “Hurry,” she shouted, and then screamed louder as bullets flew at her.

I stood and turned, pulling out both of my guns and shooting back to divert attention away from Laura. Those bastards were shooting at her instead of me, which pissed me off. Calm down, I told myself, and took aim at the first head I saw, squeezing the trigger and sending a bullet flying into the side of his skull. I smiled when his legs collapsed underneath him, but I kept shooting until I wounded three more, but two of them were closer to Laura and still shooting.

I took off in her direction, still shooting until both guns were empty. “Laura, stay down,” I shouted, crouching beside her to reload while bullets flew around us. “You okay?”

“I’m okay. Uninjured.” She screamed again as bullets whizzed by her head.

I pushed her head down and jumped on top of her to protect her while I shot back at whoever the fuck that was. I pressed my weight into Laura’s body, determined to protect her from the bullets while I tried to kill all of those who threatened her safety. In that moment, with bullets flying all around us, kicking up dirt that got everywhere, I realized the truth of my own feelings. I was falling for the pretty nurse. Falling hard for her, moving heaven and hell to keep her safe, and she thought I was a piece of shit.

My breath caught in my throat as I squeezed out my final bullet, a direct hit in the chest of one of the bikers. It didn’t kill him—yet—but it was just enough to get them to back the fuck off. Minutes later, those who could rode off in the moonlight, and we were alone.

Aside from the dying grunts of the other bikers, there was complete silence all around us.

“Come on.” We passed the bikers, who I noticed weren’t wearing any club vests, but they also weren’t Los Ochos.

“Aren’t we going to—”

“Nope,” I replied, and tugged her closer to me as we moved closer to the bike. “We’re going home. Right now.” I fired off a text to my club brothers with a location pin. Under normal circumstances I’d stay and help with the cleanup, but I needed Laura to be safe right now, so I rode like hell until my house came into view, slipping into the garage after I made sure we weren’t being followed.

Laura’s legs shook when she got off the bike and I reached out to catch her. “I’m good,” she said, and gripped my forearm. “Just fine.”

A laugh escaped. “Yep, you will be as soon as the adrenaline fades.” I scooped her into my arms and carried her inside, where I sat her on the kitchen counter. “It’ll take a few minutes.”

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