Page 68 of Hawk
“Then why the secrecy? If he’s been handled, what harm can come from knowing who he was?” Devlin inquired.
“Let me ask you this. What good would it do to have all Stella’s shame and humiliation drug out in the open? Why would you want to cause her more pain? She’s finally in a good place and reunited with her daughter. Digging up the past can cause more harm than good.”
I watched as he thought about what I said. The love he had for his family was all encompassing, and he would rather hurt himself than cause them discomfort. That didn’t mean he would drop it, but I had to stress the importance of him listening to me.
“I know you want to make someone pay for what happened to them, but your sister already did. She saved herself from a dark nightmare, and now, she’s finally found the good she deserves. Let sleeping dogs lie or risk losing her, maybe both of them, forever.”
“I’ll take it under advisement,” he remarked and tried to step around me.
I held my ground, and he brought his blue eyes up to me, trying to intimidate me. Locking eyes with him, I gave him another warning. “And keep your brother as far away as possible. I don’t know the whole story, but I know if she sees him, she may hurt him. She’s practically said as much.”
“He’s an asshole, but I don’t think he’d ever do anything to hurt either of them.”
“Do you know anything about your brother’s past besides what he’s told you and the small amount you found out through your contacts?” I asked.
He shook his head and remarked, “For years, I thought he was following in our father’s footsteps, until I discovered my father was ratting on every family he’s ever done business with. When I investigated, I discovered Lucian was a gun-for-hire, not much more.”
“Then keep him away from her. Use whatever excuse you have to with him, but I promise, she won’t be receptive to him.”
He smacked me on the shoulder as he stepped around me, remarking, “She broke into the most secure building in the state and had James at gunpoint when I arrived this morning. I can only imagine how she’d react to him if that was the greeting I got.”
I laughed, thinking how she outmaneuvered the madman at his own game. As I walked back into the dining room, everyone was taking a seat at the table. The place next to Stella was vacant and I sat next to her.
Leaning in, I whispered, “How are you holding up, darlin’?”
“It’s a lot, but I’m doing okay,” she whispered back with a smile.
“I was thinking maybe we could go back to the compound after lunch,” Hailey remarked as everyone started plating their food. “I’d love for the ladies to meet you.”
Her words were directed at Stella, and I glanced over to see her smiling. “I’d love to meet your friends.”
“One thing you should know about the Death Hounds,” Jacob stated. “Once you’re family, you’re family for life. So, in reality, it’ll be a gathering of your sisters.”
“I like the sound of that,” Stella replied and looked at me. “Will you be there?”
I took her hand in mine and kissed the back. “Wherever you are is where I’ll be.”
She blushed, and I looked up to see Hailey smiling at me. If anyone knew how hard the last year had been for me, it was Hailey, and her seemingly okay with me pursuing her mom gave me a sense of relief.
Devlin offered a smile to me as we ate, and I had to think, if life was this good now, how much better could it get?
Then I remembered, you had to experience the rain before the sun shined again, and I questioned what kind of danger was lurking . . . and who was going to get caught in the crosshairs.
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Chapter 22
Stella
IT WAS A MEMORABLEexperience to simply sit and have dinner with my family. I never thought I would get to experience something so mundane yet enjoyable, and I treasured every minute. With Hawk sitting next to me, showing me such care and devotion, I had to wonder if he and I may have a future together. Then I remembered he had two small children and panic began to set in.
I had no idea how to be a mother, and I wasn’t sure he even wanted something like that from me. What if he was just looking for a good time? I wasn’t completely against the idea but knew my heart couldn’t take being another notch in his bedpost.
“Would you like to stay here?” Elise asked me after we were finished eating, and I looked to Colton for advice.
It would be nice to be here, so close to Devlin and his family, but my purpose in coming here was to be closer to Hailey. Fearing I would make someone mad, I offered her a smile.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll probably get a hotel until I can find a place to rent,” I explained and felt Colton gently squeeze my knee where his hand rested.
