Page 100 of Hawk
The dog diligently fell in step behind Matthew as he entered another bedroom off the living room. I stood and watched the doors, realizing those two precious children needed protection from their own mother. I was pissed that anyone could willingly give up their children and worried everything was happening too fast. But then I remembered how fate fucked me for so many years with Hailey, and I vowed to do everything in my power to keep Anna and Matthew safe.
The kids joined me in the living room, and Zeus was Matthew’s shadow as we walked outside into the breezy afternoon. Colton was nowhere to be seen, but he needed to speak with Gunner, so it was a good chance for me to spend time with Matthew and Anna.
I was showing them how to get Zeus to sit, speak, and shake, and just as I was about to instruct Matthew on his protection calls, Hailey, Jacob, and Jasmine walked up. Anna squealed when she saw Jasmine, and I decided to hold off on the protection lessons while the kids played with the two Dobermans.
Hailey and Jacob joined me on the front porch, and Hailey lowered her voice as she asked, “Is it true what Hawk said to Gunner? Is Araneta back?”
“As far as anyone knows, yes. She was spying on Matthew at school today, but Colton and I haven’t had a chance to speak about what he and her mother discussed.”
“Doris is good people, from what I understand,” Jacob explained. “And the kids have the entire club to watch out for them. She won’t get close enough to hurt them and live to tell anyone.”
“What if she wants them back?” I asked, suddenly feeling like I was interfering with a family that I had no business bothering.
“She doesn’t have a say, and before you let your head get too far ahead, Hawk doesn’t want anything to do with her. He’s head over heels in love with you. It’s obvious to everyone who looks at the two of you,” Jacob said, but I wasn’t so sure.
“Why don’t you go talk to Hawk and find out what’s going on? We’ll keep an eye on the kids while you’re gone,” Hailey offered, and I hugged her and Jacob briefly.
“I’ll be back. Thanks for watching them.”
I walked up to the kids as they played with Jasmine and Zeus. “I’m going to the clubhouse for a few minutes. Hailey and Jacob will keep an eye on you until I get back. Is that okay?”
Anna was adjusting the bandana around Jasmine’s neck and telling her how pretty she was as Matthew stood from playing with Zeus. He looked so serious for an eight-year-old boy, and I instantly knew he had experienced more in his young life than most kids had.
“Will you ask my dad if he’s working tonight?” Matthew inquired.
“I’ll ask him, and I’ll be right back. Will you be okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As I walked away, I looked over my shoulder and saw Hailey adjusting Anna’s pigtails as Jacob and Matthew played with Zeus. Seeing how involved everyone was with the kids gave me a sense of peace as I left them to find Colton. The short walk to the clubhouse took minutes, and the closer I got to the building, the more anxious I became.
What if she wanted Colton back?
What if she tried to hurt the kids?
What if she caused problems for me and Colton?
There were so many questions running through my head, and the more I thought about it, the madder I got. That fucking bitch hurt those precious children, and as I stepped into the clubhouse, I promise myself that I would do whatever it took to keep them safe.
Even if it meant killing her and losing Colton forever.
The clubhouse was busy with various activities as I traversed through the brothers. Most lifted their chin to me, but one decided to step in front of me and stop my progress. All I wanted to do was speak with Colton, but the way this macho asshole was running his eyes up and down my body made me want to throat punch him.
“Hey, pretty lady. What can I do for you?” He stepped closer and touched my arm with his fingertips. “Or more specifically, to you?”
“Take your fucking hand off me,” I demanded, and he smirked at me as he touched me again.
“Now, why would I do something like that? You look like you could use some company.”
“One last time. Take. Your. Fucking. Hands. Off. Me,” I said loudly, causing a few of the men to turn and see what the commotion was.
I could see Colton in the far corner speaking with Gunner, and he lifted his head when he heard my demands. Quickly, he was out of his chair and practically running through the room as the unnamed brother decided to touch my face with his sweaty hand.
On instinct, I stepped back, giving me space from him just as I swung, punching him directly in the nose. He started yelling and brought his angry eyes to me just as Colton got to us. The man was drawing his arm back to hit me when Colton captured it with his and spun him around to face away from me.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing touching my old lady, Falcon? I heard what she said to you, and you’ve been warned about this in the past,” Colton yelled as he gripped the man’s shirt and pulled him closer.
“I didn’t know the bitch was your old lady, Hawk, but she broke my nose,” Falcon whined, and Colton shoved him to the floor.
