Page 41 of Torn In Two

The world outside these gates was no more dangerous than keeping her inside it.

I stared at Hawk, knowing I was right but wanting him to feel good about it too. He’d earned that right. He and Queenie both.

“She’s never going to get better sitting around here with all of us. She needs school and other kids and a therapist. I want to get all of those things for her.”

Queenie’s expression morphed into one that was full of pride. “Mama Kara is back.” She stood and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tight. “I’m glad to see it.”

I smiled into her soft shoulder, a sense of pride welling up inside me too. I’d been weak when I’d arrived here. Broken. And everything that had happened a week ago should have broken me more.

Except it hadn’t.

It had just made everything I wanted clearer.

Hayley Jade healthy, happy, and in school.

Hawk.

Hayden.

The three H’s of my heart.

One of those H’s was still scowling at me.

Ice noticed too, and cleared his throat. “The other prospects and I could help,” he offered. “We can station a guard outside her classroom.”

Queenie raised an eyebrow. “And terrify all those kids?”

Ice shrugged. “Outside the school gates then.” He glanced at Hawk. “If you want.”

Hawk switched his stare to Ice, considering his proposal.

Poor Ice seemed ready to pee his pants under Hawk’s intense scrutiny.

I reached over and squeezed his hand encouragingly, while giving Hawk a glare of my own. “I think that’s a fantastic offer. Don’t you, Hawk?”

He let out a huff, his opinion of the prospects clearly not high.

Ice was like a kicked puppy who still wanted the love of his owner, and it was painful to watch.

“Fine,” Hawk said through gritted teeth. “I’d do it myself, but I need to be with you. The other guys all have things going on with the club. But not the other prospects, Ice. Just you. I don’t trust any of you fuckers to do a good job, but the others even less than you. Until all of this settles down and we work out something with the school about bringing on extra security, you’ll sit your ass outside those gates from nine ’til three, every day Hayley Jade is there. Capiche?”

Ice grinned at his VP. “Yes, sir.”

Hawk raised an eyebrow at the formal language.

Ice shrugged. “Yes, boss?”

Hawk rolled his eyes. “Just go get ready, you kiss-ass.”

Ice skittered away, clearly pleased with his new role.

I touched Hawk’s arm. “You could try being nice to the prospects occasionally, you know.”

“I would, if they could try having a half a brain between them.”

Queenie let loose a deep belly laugh that I loved. “Don’t worry about the prospects, Kara. They know what they’re signing up for when they join. All the boys go through it. Makes them better club members in the end.”

I wasn’t sure I agreed with that. I’d been in Ice’s shoes. Where people with more authority than you had full control over your life and you had to be perfect in order to gain their approval.

---