Page 64 of Taming Hawke

She begins to cry, an ugly cry, tears everywhere. Her nose starts leaking, and she’s struggling to get a breath in.

I loosen my hold on Josie and let her fall to the couch. Reaching behind it I grab a tissue and hand it to her. She quietens down a little, but when I sit beside her she begins again, and this time on my shoulder. I rub the back of her head, trying to soothe her.

“I’m sorry, Reece, I’m so sorry. I never meant to get you involved in this. I didn’t even know he knew you.”

“Shush, that doesn’t matter right now,” I say as I hug her into my side. “What’s done is done. Now, I need you to come with me tonight, to the St. Jude’s Rehab Center.”

“Tonight?” Her head shoots up, and she looks me in the eye. “You can’t be serious. Not tonight?”

I cup her face in my hands. I need her to know I am serious. “If we don’t do this tonight, Josie, Santana will come after you. I can’t protect you. I need to know you’re safe, and St. Jude’s is miles away,” I explain as I place her hair behind her ear. “He won’t find you there, that’s a promise.”

“But… but… what if he does find me? Then what?”

“He won’t,” I growl. “I need to speak to my club about our next move, first thing tomorrow. You’ll be safe at St. Jude’s. Just promise me, Josie, you’ll stay there for as long as it takes. This is the last time I’m helping you, that’s my promise. Take it or leave it.”

Josie wipes away tears with her thumbs and inhales deeply. She looks down at her trembling hands, and whispers, “Okay.”

“What was that?” I ask even though I heard her clearly.

She looks up at me, a look of finality and defeat in her eyes. “Okay,” she repeats, “I’ll go. I’ll do it for you, Reece, only because I owe you that much.”

I shut my eyes, relief washing over me. After a moment I open them up again and look at her. “You won’t be sorry, Josie. Not only will you be safe, but you’ll get the help that you need.”

She looks away and nods. “I’ll go get my things.”

“Good. Don’t be long, just pack a few things you’ll need.”

Josie gets up off the couch and begins to walk to her room. She stops halfway and turns to face me. “You know, Reece, I never thought out of everyone in my life, you would be the one to save me. I need you to know that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for ever hurting you. You’re a good man, and you deserve to be happy and find a woman who deserves you.”

I smile. “I have, I’ve found that woman.”

She returns my smile and nods her head. “Okay, I’ll go get my things.”

While Josie’s packing I decide to make the call I’ve been dreading all night.

“Where the fuck are you, man?” Quill growls through the phone.

“I had to leave, I’ll explain everything to you when you’re back.”

“Don’t fucking give me this shit. I want to know now!”

“Quill, believe me, I need to talk to you in person.”

“Tomorrow, then.”

“Wait, what? Aren’t you going on your honeymoon to the beach house tomorrow?” I ask, pausing my nervous pacing.

“Yeah, that was the idea, but something tells me whatever you’re not telling me is important.”

He knows me too well.“Quill! Jasmine’s gonna break your balls if you don’t go away. She deserves a honeymoon, man.”

“I’m not saying she won’t get one. I’m just saying it’s gonna be a little delayed,” he explains. “She’ll understand.”

“Understand what?” I hear Jasmine ask in the background.

“Hey, babe, go back to bed. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“No, tell me now. I want to know.”

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