Page 51 of Phantom Riders MC: Hawk

“He was probably curious as to why the girlfriend of his business partner was in the company of an MC, not realizing that your ex is after you.”

That made sense, if it had happened that way. I had to trust Hawk, though, he knew Covacks and he knew what he was doing. Then a thought occurred to me. What if Dane decided to hire Phantom Riders to kill me? He had enough money to tempt them.

“What’s wrong?”

I guess the worry showed on my face. Shrugging, I said, “I was just wondering how much money it would take for you to change sides.” It was the wrong thing to say. I realized that immediately. Hawk’s face darkened with anger, lighting a spark in his eyes. “Well, it’s only natural that I think like that. I thought Dane loved me, and yet he didn’t hesitate to beat me after I saw him murder that man. You and I are nothing to each other, even more reason for you to turn me in if there’s enough money involved.”

I walked to the window he’d just pulled the curtains back to and crossed my arms. Hawk’s house was located on a hill-top. The view of the forest and distant hills was breathtaking. Comparing Dane and Hawk was like comparing rust to gold, and yet both men were alike in one thing. The thought made me snort. “Dane liked fucking me, too.”

“Don’t compare me to your fucking ex,” Hawk snarled behind me, and then he must have made a phone call because the next thing I heard was, “Send Popcorn out here. I want a prospect on Audra until this shit ends.”

I heard footsteps, and then the door open and close. I spun around and rushed to it, thinking that Hawk was leaving, just like that, but he just went to his bike to get the clothes we’d purchased in town. When he came back in he thrust the bag into my arms.

“The bedrooms are upstairs. Take your pick. Make yourself to home.” I just stood there for a minute, feeling lost. “Make a list of what you want to eat and I’ll get it for you.”

“When will you be back?”

“I don’t know, probably later tonight. I’m used to sleeping at the clubhouse for convenience.” Was that his way of warning me that he might not come back? I didn’t relish the idea of staying alone out in the middle of nowhere with someone I didn’t know.

“Is there a phone here that I can use?” I was thinking about Carol and how I could at least talk to her, explain what was going on. It would feel so good being able to connect with someone I loved and knew cared about me.

Hawk was shaking his head no before I even finished getting the words out. “Too dangerous. Popcorn will have a phone, but I don’t want you on it.”

Hawk put a pen and pad down on the harvest table against the wall. His eyes met mine. “Anything you want, baby.”

“Are you keeping tabs on what I owe you?” I smiled, making my way to the table, dropping my bag of clothes on a chair on the way by.

“Let’s worry about payment later.”

“What if I don’t have enough money to pay you back?”

“Then I’ll take it out on your pretty ass.”

The unusual amusement in his eyes warmed me. Then the sound of a motorcycle coming our way turned things serious again. Hawk turned and went back outside as Popcorn came closer to the cabin. How was a man with the name of Popcorn supposed to protect me? Chuckling quietly, I quickly composed a short list of the items I wanted, going on the assumption that Hawk didn’t have anything.

Everything I listed was practical, and I was about to fold the list to give to Hawk when I decided on a last minute item. He’d said anything I wanted, so I added a bottle of Arbor Mist Strawberry White Zinfandel. It was a cheap, girly wine, and I couldn’t help smiling when I pictured the huge, dangerous biker walking around with it in the store. He probably wouldn’t even get it for me.

I hurried up and folded the list when I heard the door open again.

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