Page 32 of The Most Wanted Witch

Hawk still wasn’t here. Why I thought he’d somehow know and show up was beyond me. He wasn’t psychic. Why it felt so weird to leave here and do this without a glance in his direction, a knowing look, something, was beyond me. I’d insisted Zab not tell him, and the guy might’ve actually listened for a change, as weird as that felt.

“Well, I’m going to head out,” I said. “Don’t want to be late, after all.”

Oscar straightened. “Let me walk you over?” He moved to grab his jacket, but I waved him off.

“No. Arriving with backup isn’t the look I’m going for. I’ve got this.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.” Not even close to confident. Closer to the realm of wishful thinking.

Oscar nodded, but his body seemed to be struggling not to follow me anyway. I hurried out the door to make it easier for him to stay behind.

I flipped up my collar and shoved my hands in my pockets, looking both ways before I got too far away from the safety of the building. Mertie’s words from the other day still lingered in my psyche as I waited for a horde of delusional witches and warlocks to chase me down.

I sped up but then forced myself to slow down. There was no way I’d allow a crazy horde of witches to chase me off the streets of Xest. I’d spent too much time fighting for the right to be here.

I turned the corner, and Hawk stepped out in front of me. I stopped just shy of colliding with him.

“You don’t have to go.”

Of course he knew I was on my way. Had to have been Oscar. Or Zab. Zab would’ve ratted me out to Hawk if he thought it was the right thing. Musso might’ve given Hawk a heads-up. Bertha definitely would’ve. Bibbi might’ve been trying to protect me. There were too many options. It was impossible to figure out who it might have come from. It was like searching for a water leak in a colander.

“Yeah, except I kind of do,” I said, walking again. I had enough jitters without having a second helping of the don’t-do-this speech.

He grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop beside him.

I glanced at his hand and then met his gaze, making my feelings of being detained clear.

He didn’t budge.

“I’m telling you if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. We can ride out the consequences.”

He dropped his hand, having said what he needed to say.

I should’ve walked away. Xazier would be waiting, but I was sort of stuck in place.

Hawk did have his upside. Problem was you were sometimes dragged up to that peak bound and gagged, whether you wanted to be or not.

I bit my lip, knowing I had to get going and having a hard time walking away. It was probably my destination. It had to be. It wasn’t Hawk.

I forced myself to take a step before I stopped again.

“I’m not concerned about tonight. He’s not going to do anything, at least not during this first meeting.” As I said it, I believed it in my gut. It was too early in the game for Xazier to show his full hand.

Hawk reached into his pocket, grabbed my hand, and placed a small ball in it. “If you get into trouble, wrap your hand around this and call my name. I’ll be able to find you wherever you are.” His hand stayed wrapped around mine for a moment longer than needed.

“You think I’m not capable of handling this?”

“The things I think you’re capable of would astound you.”

I felt like my brain was melting, along with everything else inside of me.

“I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting.” I spun, walking away before I did something crazy, like kiss him. I walked the rest of the way alone, refusing to check on Hawk’s location even as I could feel his eyes still on me.

Xazier appeared the moment I reached the square. He held out his arm. “Are you ready?”

I smiled, reminding myself how I’d told everyone else this wouldn’t be a problem. I believed that. I did. I definitely did.

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