Page 91 of Rebel Hawke

Clearly, our little rule hasn’t remained a secret amongst the girls if Isaac knows I’m not spending my nights balls-deep in the stunning woman waiting for me to come dance again.

“Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”

Uncle Savage sets his jaw tightly. “Satriano showed up at the office.”

My annoyance immediately shifts focus—off the men around me and squarely to the one who can’t ever seem to just disappear. It’s been over a month of nothing, and now, he shows back up when things finally seem smooth and calm.

His M.O., really.

“When?”

Saint leans against the bar and takes a sip from a bottle of water. “Earlier today. Thankfully, your father and I were there with Savage to have the little chat.”

“What did he say?”

Dad shrugs, dangling his beer from his fingertips where he stands opposite Saint. “Not much. Other than he was anticipating the opening of the hotel and wondered where his invitation to the wedding was.”

“Is he fucking serious?”

Savage snorts and shakes his head, running a hand across his dark hair just starting to show signs of graying. “I don’t know. He seems to be sniffing around for information, and I can’t quite figure out what he wants.”

“What did he sayexactly?”

The three men exchange a look before they glance at Isaac and return their attention to me. Whatever it is, they’re almost bracing for my reaction.

“Will someone spit it the fuck out already?”

Savage sighs. “He wanted to book the presidential suite for opening night, and he expressed that he couldn’t wait for the fight.”

Ice travels through my veins, mixing with the red-hot hatred I have for Satriano. “He specifically mentioned the fight?”

Dad nods. “Which is why we brought you over here. After he showed up to talk to Wren, we thought you should know about his apparent interest. Something’s up.”

I rub the back of my neck, glancing up to Wren, now surrounded by various couples who have entered the fray on the dance floor. “No shit.”

Stone swirls his drink in the rocks glass. “You know how important the opening is for everyone…and the fight is our main headliner. We are six weeks away. If it’s going to be canceled, we need to do it now so we have time to try to find a replacement.”

Even though I know he’s just talking business and doing his job helping protect the Hawke investment in the opening, my fury at the suggestion still makes me tense and puts me on the defensive. “I’m not canceling the fight.”

It’s an argument I’ve been avoiding for weeks, and as things seem to progress, with my work with Wren, that glimmer of hope that I actually stand a chance of winning flames brighter and brighter.

Isaac slaps me on the shoulder. “I saw him in the gym a couple of days ago. He looks good. Ready for Gordon.”

Savage gives me a questioning look that suggests he may not believe what Isaac says, but he doesn’t say anything.

Dad only nods. “I hope so.”

With that settled, the looming question still stands. “So, what’s the plan with Satriano in the meantime?”

Saint shrugs. “We keep our eyes and ears open and stay on high alert. Just like always.”

“Fuck.”

That’s easier said than done when there are literally dozens of us who could be targets, not to mention the almost onehundred businesses owned by Hawke Enterprises and even more we’ve invested in.

It makes the prospect of keeping everyone out of his reach even harder.

WREN

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