Page 91 of Hawk
“Hailey,” Devlin started to say as Jacob walked back into the room.
One look at the situation and he immediately went to stand by Hailey. Devlin, realizing he was outnumbered, sat down at the table with an exasperated huff. “I’m not trying to be an ass, but . . . I looked for you for so many years, and you were so close. If I would have known, I would have been there to help.”
Elise reached out and rubbed his shoulder as Skid went to stand beside Grace. Stella took a seat, and I moved behind her as she began to speak. “Devlin, you have to understand. When I . . . escaped, I wasn’t in a good place. The last thing I heard was you were following in Papa’s footsteps, and I was terrified I was going to be sent back to hell. The only thing I cared about was protecting Hailey, but I had to get healthy, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Rhys protected me and gave me a safe place to process my feelings before I was well enough to find her. So, please, don’t be mad.”
“She’s right,” Hailey said as Jacob stayed close to her. “If you would have come for her, you could’ve set her recovery back, and I would’ve been trapped with Melody and . . . him for God knows how long. You can’t question or get angry about the past. We’re all here now, and that’s what’s important.”
“Hailey’s right, Devlin,” Grace added and looked at Skid before she continued. “Rhys may be unorthodox and secretive, but his heart is in the right place. He’s a good man, so don’t be too hard on him, or yourself.”
“Remember what I said last night,” Elise said with her sweet southern voice. “We all have secrets and pasts, and we can’t question the timing of life. Just be happy your sister and niece are here now, safe and happy, with their old men.”
I smiled over at her when she said I was Stella’s old man. I wanted that more than anything, but hearing someone say it made me feel bulletproof. Sadie, Rose, and Violet sat silent, watching the drama unfold before them.
He took her hand into his and kissed the back before replying, “You’re right, lamb. I just get so pissed off thinking about—”
“Then stop thinking about it. Enjoy the here and now and let sleeping dogs lie,” Elise added.
Sadie stood from her chair. “I know everyone’s frazzled from the revelations, but I think it’s time for the men to leave us alone. We need to have breakfast, and frankly, you’re not invited.”
Stella chuckled and looked across at the President’s wife. “I think you and I are going to be great friends.”
Sadie wiggled her eyebrows as she retook her seat at the head of the table. I leaned over and whispered to Stella, “Are you okay, darlin’?”
She looked over her shoulder and smiled at me before saying, “I’m good, and I’ll be okay here with my daughter and our friends.”
I smiled and shook my head before kissing her on the top of hers. Looking over at Skid and Jacob, I said, “Let’s get our plates and get out of here.” Turning to Devlin, I asked, “Are you joining us?”
He stood from his chair and whispered something to Elise. She nodded, and he kissed her before he walked around the table and into the kitchen. Jacob and I grabbed our plates, and Skid took a few baked goods from one of the boxes as Devlin returned.
He looked at the table and said with sincerity, “I’m sorry I got angry. I promise, I’ll try harder to not fly off the handle.”
I smacked him on the back as he walked past me. “You can try, madman.”
The ladies laughed, and Skid and Jacob chuckled as the four of us walked out of the dining room and into the clubhouse. “Do you want to go outside where we can talk?” I asked
“Good idea,” Devlin said, and as a group, we walked out the front of the building to the picnic pavilion.
We were close enough that if the ladies needed us, we’d be there quickly, but far enough away to give them privacy. After sitting down, I sent a quick text message to Gunner, suggesting he join us. I didn’t go into detail but felt his presence would help keep everyone calm.
I also worried about Lucian showing up and causing all manners of hell. I feared what Stella would do if and when she saw him, especially after what we learned last night about him.
I looked across the table at Skid before glancing at Devlin and back again. Skid shook his head slightly, and I knew he hadn’t had a chance to speak with Devlin about what he uncovered. I feared the wrath of the madman when he discovered the ugly truth about his brother.
We ate in silence, allowing the discoveries to remain hidden for now. I could tell Devlin was pissed, but he was going to have to get over it. Stella made the right decision for herself, and if he was angry at anyone, he could be angry at me. It was my decision to take her to Rhys, and it was my silence that kept the secrets. It wasn’t until recently that I’d discovered the truth about who Devlin’s father was, but I should’ve put the pieces together.
Gunner joined us just as I wasfinished eating, and he could tell there was animosity running through everyone. Skid was pissed about Rhys in general, Devlin was pissed he was left in the dark, and Jacob was pissed because Hailey got upset. If there was one thing about him, he loved his woman fiercely and wouldn’t hesitate to clock a motherfucker in the jaw for any disrespect toward her.
“Does someone want to fill me in on why everyone is so angry?” Gunner asked, and I shook my head and looked at Skid.
He sighed deeply before he explained what happened inside. Gunner sat stone-faced and didn’t say anything until Skid was finished.
“So, what’s the problem?” Gunner asked, and Devlin huffed in frustration.
“The problem is I should’ve known what was going on,” Devlin explained, and Gunner began to laugh out loud, making the madman even angrier. “What the fuck is so funny?”
“First of all, watch your tone, Devlin. I know you’re mad, but disrespect will get you put off the compound. We’ve had this discussion in the past,” Gunner warned, and some of the hot air dissipated from Devlin.
I was there the night they nearly came to blows. Devlin liked to be in charge, and he thought he could dictate something to the club. That caused Gunner to go toe-to-toe with him, and I, for one, had hoped Gunner would clock him in the face. After that, they came to some kind of understanding and, usually, Devlin was more respectful.
