Page 108 of Hawk
We walked through the thinning group of brothers, and they stepped aside for us. Following Sadie into the kitchen, we began to unpack the cases of food and, for the next few hours, we prepped, cut, chopped, and plated food for a small army.
The music from the radio caused the ladies to start dancing around the kitchen, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged. Not just with Colton and Hailey, but here with the Death Hounds. They opened their hearts and home to me, and as we laughed and danced, I knew this was the place that would heal me. I was surrounded by women who understood me, men who would protect me, and a family I’d always longed for.
“Let’s make a pitcher of margaritas,” Grace said as she walked in from grabbing a case of corn for dinner.
“That’s a great idea,” Rose responded. “I’ll get Basher to hook us up.”
I wasn’t a big drinker, and the last thing I wanted was to be drunk around the kids. Hailey, somehow sensing my hesitation, leaned over and whispered, “I usually sip on mine, and no one notices.”
“Thanks,” I replied and went back to peeling potatoes.
Rose came back, and a few minutes later, Basher delivered a pitcher of drinks along with a tray of glasses for us. Sadie poured each of the ladies a drink and handed me mine. I took a small sip and placed it on the counter as the music grew in volume.
For the next hour or so, we laughed and joked around as we put the finishing touches on dinner. I hadn’t seen Colton since we came into the kitchen, but I knew he was somewhere close. When we finished, Sadie turned to the group as we were drying our hands.
“Thanks for the help, ladies. Let’s go see what’s happening outside.”
Walking out the side door, I noticed the compound was busy with various activities. A small stage was being set up along the side of the parking lot, there were tubs of ice filled with bottles of beer located around the building, and the picnic pavilion had lights strung around the roof. I didn’t see the kids and started to worry. Pressing to my tiptoes, I saw a sprinkler moving along the side of the parking lot, near the grassy area.
“I’ll be right back,” I told Hailey, and she placed her half-drank glass of margarita onto the table and followed behind me.
As we approached, I couldn’t help but giggle. Jackal and Colton were playing with the club kids as Zeus and Jasmine ran around, leaping in and out of the sprinkler. There was a long piece of plastic the kids were sliding down as the water saturated it, and everyone was having a good time.
“See, there’s nothing to worry about,” Hailey interjected as I saw Colton turn his head and smile at me. “Everyone is safe within the walls of the compound. And everyone keeps an eye out for the kids. It’s okay to exhale and relax.”
“That’s easier said than done,” I remarked, and she bumped her hip into mine.
“Do you think Hawk would let anything happen to you or the kids?” I shook my head. “Then let tonight be a free night for you. The kids will be fine with Sadie, and you and Hawk can have your own good time.”
She wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I shook my head as I smiled. She and I were learning more and more about each other, but she seemed to understand me already. I was always on edge, waiting for another bomb to drop, yet being here gave me a peace I’d never experienced before. Maybe it was Hailey, maybe it was Colton, or possibly it was the fact I was surrounded by tough as nails bikers who have and would kill for everyone here.
Whatever the reason, I promised myself I was going to let myself enjoy tonight, and maybe Colton and I would be able to have some time alone. After the way he touched me the other night, all I wanted was more.
I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I wanted it all—the love, the sex, the romance, and the adventure. For too long, I’d lived a hidden life of shame and regret. But now, there wasn’t anything standing in our way of happiness.
I wished I’d known it was all so fragile and one wrong move could destroy it all. No matter what, I was going to fight for our happiness, and if anyone tried to take it away, they would meet my full wrath.
No one would fuck with my kids and live to speak of it.
No one.
