Page 70 of The Most Wanted Witch

Hawk walked toward me with a purpose, not stopping for any niceties with the rest of the room as they finished breakfast.

“You ready?” he asked.

I still had a half a cup of tea and a full biscuit left. For what needed to be done, and I was certain it was the hill, I’d finish later.

Gillian was calling his name and rushing over before I had a chance to stand. Bibbi glared across the room. Someone needed to take the butter knife away from her.

“Hawk, you’re not walking me to work?” Gillian asked.

“Zab will do it.”

“But—”

“It’s fine. He can handle it.” Hawk walked away from her before she could continue her damsel-in-distress act.

Gillian was frozen in her spot. I made my way around her, trying to not look in her direction.

Zab was slumped in his chair, looking as happy as Gillian was as I left the room.

We stopped in front of the hill as if planned. I had clear reasons to be nervous about walking on it. Last time hadn’t been bad exactly, but not normal. Hawk’s issues weren’t as obvious. He was staring at it like he’d been the one that had been nearly stuck to it.

We both continued to watch it for another few minutes of silence.

He was still staring at the hill when he said, “I’ll release you from your work agreement if you leave Xest. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hide you, not even in Rest, but I’ll try if you go.”

Shoved out again. The guy was trying to make a career of getting rid of me. What he wanted didn’t matter. It didn’t. He was a stupid man, and an ass to boot. What did it matter what he thought?

But I couldn’t keep it all buried anymore. I turned and swung at him. I missed and swung again as he kept dodging my strikes. I struck out another handful of times.

Worst part was that when I finally stopped, he was eyeing me as if I were crazy.

“Are you done?” he asked.

Just for that, I swung again. Damn he was quick.

“Stop trying to get rid of me. I’m not going anywhere,” I screamed.

“I’m not trying to get rid of you,” he replied, the veins popping in his neck.

“Except you are at every turn.” I swung again, and this time he caught me in his arms.

The only good thing about him holding me was my arms were still free and I was able to hit his back, although not very effectively.

“You know, I’m beginning to understand why you lose so many fights,” he said, then held me firmer as I renewed my attack on him.

Or tried. It was a pitiful effort. Good thing Bautere wasn’t watching, because this was not my best showing.

I stopped hitting Hawk and pulled away. He didn’t try to stop me.

He watched me for a few moments as we both went to our proverbial separate corners. He tilted his head back and let out a sigh.

He was acting likehewas having a bad day? I didn’t say anything. If I talked, I’d argue. Then I’d start swinging again.

“You think you know the way things should be, but you don’t even know the way they are,” he said.

“Please spare me the condescension. Stop trying to turn this into you trying to be the good guy when clearly you just want me gone. I didn’t arrive in Xest yesterday. I’ve been around the block a few times now, and you know damn well I can handle myself…most of the time.”

“I don’t think you realize the risks.”

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