Page 69 of Hawk
“There are plenty of cabins on the compound you can stay at,” Jacob offered. “My sister got the one next to Hailey and me ready when she found out you were coming, so you’re more than welcome to stay there.”
“I . . . I don’t want to be any trouble,” I remarked, and Hailey leaned forward, offering me her hands across the table.
“It’s no trouble, and I’d love to have you close by, but I understand if you want to stay . . . somewhere else.”
Her eyes tracked next to me briefly and I knew she was insinuating I might stay with Colton. I wasn’t sure he wanted that, or if it was a good idea with the kids, so I shrugged and looked around the table.
“I’ll figure it out. There’s no need to fuss over me. I’ve taken care of myself for a long time.”
The mood changed some and I wished I could take the words back. It was the truth, though, and there was no need to sugarcoat things. I’d been on my own for over a decade, and for the most part, I was used to it. It didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely, but I decided a long time ago that was my destiny.
Now, I had to wonder if Colton had been my destiny all along.
“Whatever you decide, I’ll support,” Devlin remarked as he helped a very pregnant Elise to her feet. DJ was yawning as they helped him from his chair. “I need to get them down for a nap, but I’ll come by the compound this evening and we can talk.”
I stood as they walked by and gave DJ and Elise each a brief hug. She whispered before letting me go, “It’s good to have you home.”
Devlin approached and engulfed me in his strong arms. It was foreign and familiar at the same time, and as he released me, he brushed a piece of hair from my forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
I nodded and offered him a smile as he and his beautiful family left the apartment, leaving me, Colton, Hailey, and Jacob alone at the table. I looked across at Hailey, and she had her head resting on Jacob’s shoulder, appearing to be happy.
“So, Jacob, what do you do for a living?” I asked and watched as his handsome face lit up.
“I design clothes and jewelry that contain hidden weapons. Rings, bracelets, belts, shoes, and even a hat.”
“That’s impressive. Where did you get that idea from?” I asked, and his eyes cast down briefly.
“I didn’t mean to pry,” I quickly added, feeling like I was stepping on landmines left and right.
“You’re not prying, and it’s fine to ask.” Hailey sat up and took his hand into hers as he began to explain. “My sister, along with some of the Death Hounds old ladies, inspired me, to be honest.”
I gave him a quizzical look as Colton wrapped his arm around me, offering support as Jacob continued to speak.
“I was raised by my sister, Sadie, who basically gave up everything to make sure my brother, Dalton, and I were taken care of.”
Colton whispered, “Skid,” into my ear, and I nodded, starting to connect some of the pieces.
“When I was a baby, she was . . . taken advantage of, and throughout my life, I’ve seen the effects of people’s selfish decisions. My sister, along with a few of the old ladies, lived through something no woman should have to live through.” I cast my eyes down, fully understanding what he was saying.
“Can I be blunt without going into too much detail?” he asked, and I nodded, grateful to be spared the details. “I saw the aftereffects of what rape and abuse do to people, and I wanted to do something to help. So, I began to design different items that could be worn and maybe give someone the chance to fight back. It might only give them time to escape, but . . . I needed to do something.”
“There’s so much ugliness in the world,” Colton remarked, and I turned to look at him.
His knowing eyes stared back at me, and where shame and panic would usually reside, I felt understood. He gently kissed me on the side of my head as I turned back to Hailey and Jacob.
Hailey looked at Jacob before turning back to me. “It was his bracelet that allowed me to escape last year when . . .”
I pulled away from the table and felt my heart beating in my ears at her statement. “Someone took you?” I asked, hearing the angry tone in my voice.
Her blue eyes met mine as she softly explained. “There was a man from . . . my time with Melody who was demented. He paid someone to kidnap me, but Jacob’s design saved my life.”
“And it ended the man who took her,” Colton added, and I felt the room start to spin.
“What about the demented man?” I asked, and Jacob’s eyes leveled with mine.
“Your brother handled him. He’ll never hurt anyone again.”
Feeling tears push into my eyes, I looked across the table at Hailey. “I’m . . . I’m so sorry for everything you lived through. I . . . I wish I could have been there to save you from it all.”
