Page 18 of Hawk

I hated that I’d put that look on her face, so I softened my voice when I spoke again.

“You can work, but I’ll be with you.” I held up my hand when she opened her mouth to interrupt. “Not inside the studio. I’ll be just outside. Watching. Because not one motherfucker is gonna come near you unless I say so.”

She hesitated and glanced around with a defeated expression. Then she nodded slowly. “Okay. And I’ll reschedule what I can.”

I inclined my head in appreciation for her meeting me halfway.

“But I won’t let this bastard derail my whole life,” she snapped.

“He won’t,” I said, my voice dark. “Won’t live long enough for that.”

Her eyes grew wide, but she didn’t comment on my threat. Instead, her shoulders drooped, and she gave me a soft smile. “I know you’re only doing this because of Lainie, but I’m really grateful for your help.”

My head popped up, and I growled, “Not doing it for Lainie.”

Gemma hesitated, her expression puzzled. “Then…why?”

I prowled toward her, slow and deliberate. Backing her up until she hit the wall.

Then I braced one hand beside her head and the other on her round hip. Our eyes locked, and for the first time, I didn’t mask the raw hunger, the primal need I felt for her. “I protect what’s mine.”

Her breath caught, her skin flushed, and her irresistible lips parted.

My control shattered, and I kissed her.

Hard. Possessive. A fucking claiming.

Her body melted against mine, and I deepened the kiss, letting her feel just a fraction of the heat burning inside me. My hands glided over her hips, down to her thighs, lifting her off her feet. I braced her back against the wall and ground my steel shaft against her hot center. She arched into me with a whimper, her fingers gripping my shirt as though she was afraid I might disappear.

I wasn’t going any-fucking-where. However, this wasn’t the right time to give in to our passion. Cursing a blue streak in my head, I pulled back just enough to let her slide along my body as I set her back on her feet.

Closing my eyes, I pressed my forehead to hers, trying to calm my racing heart. Her panting breaths rubbed her big tits against my chest, and I groaned in acute frustration.

When I could speak again, I grunted. “Pack your shit, baby.”

“Why?” she whispered, dazed.

“Because if we stay here another minute, I’m gonna throw you on that bed and fuck you so hard the cameras will melt.”

7

GEMMA

Ididn’t think I could feel more violated after my archive was hacked. But I’d been wrong.

The moment Callum told me about the bug he found in my studio, it felt as though the floor had dropped out from under me. This wasn’t just a digital breach. Someone had come into my space so they could watch and listen at their leisure.

The studio wasn’t just where I worked. It was my sanctuary. The place where I’d poured my grief and creativity. Knowing it had been infiltrated without my knowledge made me feel raw. Stripped bare.

The thought of someone spying on me was terrifying. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up just thinking about it. That was why I hadn’t fought much when Callum demanded that I pack a bag and return to the Iron Rogues compound with him. I knew nobody could get to me there.

And I wanted to stick close to Callum. He was the only reason I wasn’t spiraling right now. The calm in the storm I’d somehow found myself in.

It was a good thing he’d driven a truck instead of his motorcycle because I was too distracted to be a safe driver.My mind was still whirling when we reached the Iron Rogues compound.

He exchanged a look with the guy at the gate, who gave a quick nod before the heavy iron barrier rolled open.

When he pulled into the lot, I realized the place was bigger than I expected. The clubhouse had two stories, and there were other buildings, too. Not that I had a chance to look at them with how Callum rushed me into the clubhouse.

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