Page 26 of Hawk

“Yeah. I find it calms me down. The house smells good, and it feels homey.” She shrugs. “I like looking at them when they’re done. It feels like I’ve accomplished something.” She looks up at me. “Silly, right?”

“Not at all. It’s kind of like what I feel when I get under the hood of a car and can make the car purr. I totally get it.” I see Sasha’s body begin to relax. She’s very pretty, with long, wavy brown hair parted in the middle that falls down nearly to her ass, big hazel eyes, and a sweet smile. Not as beautiful as Etain, but still a beauty.

“I’ll be happy to deliver them to the shop for you, Sasha,” Shooter volunteers with a sly grin.

“Don’t listen to him. They’ll never make it to the shop,” I tell her.

Shooter shrugs. “I had to give it a shot.”

Etain laughs, and Sasha joins in. The girls drink their coffee while I finish breakfast, and Shooter shoves another muffin in his mouth. I don’t know how he can eat like that. We all work out at the clubhouse, in the gym we built, but the way he eats, he should have to be there four hours a day to work it off.

“We’ve got to get going, Ginger. I’ve got parts to order before I meet Drifter,” I say, and automatically, Sasha’s gaze falls to the floor to hide her expression. I’ve known for a while that Sasha likes Drifter, but she avoids him at every turn. Even around town, whenever Drifter enters the diner or a local shop, Sasha makes a quick exit. Drifter thinks it’s because he scares the life out of her. I know better, and I’m just waiting for Drifter to see what I see.

“I’ll go pack the rest of the muffins,” Sasha says to excuse herself.

Etain gathers her things, and we head out. Sasha has a container in hand, waiting for us by the truck. She hugs Etain and waves as we drive off.

“She’s been amazing, you know. I showed up on her doorstep, and within minutes, she made sure I had a new place to live, fed me, and has been the best friend a stranger could ask for,” Etain says, holding tight to the container. “She knew I was scared.”

“Sasha’s a good woman.” I glance over to see Etain’s serious expression. “What’s on your mind?”

“Friends share. You know, give and take. So far, I feel like I’m taking and giving nothing in return. I know very little about Sasha.”

“Then talk to her, babe. But to be honest, I’m not sure anyone knows much about Sasha. She’s a private person. What I do know is that she says what she means. She’s quiet, but she packs a wallop when it means something to her. When Redemption Riders decided to root themselves in this town, people were freaked out about a motorcycle club bringing problems. Not long after we opened the shop, Sasha came in and straight out told me why we weren’t getting any business. When I assured her that we weren’t settling here to make trouble, but to create jobs, the shop got busy. She’s good people, babe.” I haven’t thought of that moment for a long time. Shit! Sasha’s the one who spread the news, and she was the first one in town to drop off her little bug for an oil change and tune-up. In her own way, she led the town to accepting us as one of their own.

“I like her a lot. She reminds me of my sister in a way. Kiera is way more outgoing and is driven in her profession, but she has kind eyes just like Sasha, and when Kiera speaks to you, she makes it about you. Sasha’s like that, selfless and kind,” Etain says.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a bike peeking out from between two trees. I go on high alert and slow down to get a better look. I don’t see the rider anywhere near the bike. Etain notices the change in my demeanor, but remains silent. I reach over, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “It’s fine, babe. I’m cautious, is all.”

“Okay.” She nods, but not convincingly. Shooter is behind us and sees what I see. He veers off down the small lane that leads around the back and is going to turn back to take another look.

I hit the button to call Drifter.

“Hey, man, what’s up? We meeting soon?”

“Bike’s parked in old Dalton’s field. Shooter’s going to get a better look. I don’t want him out there alone. Who’s close by?”

“Hold up,” Drifter says. He calls out to Decker and tells him to find out where Flex is. I hear the two of them talking back and forth; then Drifter comes back to me. “Flex will be there in two minutes. He’ll connect with Shooter.”

“I’m not far from the shop. I’ll drop off Etain and meet you.”

“Good. I think we may finally have the upper hand,” Drifter replies.

“About fucking time.” I exhale.

“Say hello to Etain for me.”

“She can hear you. You’re on speaker.”

“Hey, Drifter, I’ll save you a muffin,” Etain tells him. “Sasha made them.”

I can hear his intake of breath as soon as Etain mentions Sasha’s name. “What kind?”

“Does it matter?” she asks.

“Yep.”

“Chocolate.”

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