Page 74 of Hawk
I wanted to tell her how much I cared about her but knew it was too soon. Instead, I pecked her lips again and said, “I can’t imagine what must be going through your head, but I promise you one thing. No one here will judge you for anything, and no one blames you for anything. I know you have guilt, but you heard it from Hailey. She knows you had nothing to do with what happened to her. You have to let the past go, darlin’, and look toward the future.”
Her eyes cast down to her lap before lifting back to mine. Uncertainty filled her voice as she asked, “What’s in my future?”
I lifted my hand to her cheek as I spoke from the heart. “Happiness, family, support, love, and maybe, one day . . . me.”
I was fileting myself open by baring my feelings to her, and I was unsure if she felt the same way until I saw her eyes light up and a smile push onto her face. I knew it may take forever for her to be able to be intimate, but just being able to kiss and hold her was enough for me.
“You’re a good man, Colton.”
Most days, I hadn’t felt like a good man, but seeing her beauty shining at me, I wanted to be better. For my kids, for her, and most importantly, for myself. I just prayed the mistakes I’d made in the past stayed buried. If anyone knew what I’d witnessed and failed to stop, I feared they would turn their backs on me.
And I would deserve it but didn’t think I could exist outside of the Death Hounds. They were the only family I had left, and without them, I would be lost.
Chapter 24
Stella
To say I was besiegedwas an understatement. The warring emotions bubbling under the surface made me want to run away, but I knew I needed to try to keep it together for Hailey. And myself.
Colton was right—I deserved a future filled with happiness, but there had been so many changes over the last few days that I was battling the internal whispers that told me I didn’t belong here. I’d been alone for so long that being with so many friendly people who, at face value, seemed like they were happy to meet me, was taking its toll on me.
His kiss silenced the whispers and gave me hope that tomorrow would be a better day. I heard laughter coming from down the path, and I leaned forward to see Hailey and Jacob approaching with Jasmine and Zeus following closely behind them.
Colton whispered softly as we watched them, “Do you see how happy she is?” I nodded, and he continued. “When she first arrived, she was just as unsure as you are right now. It took time for her to find her way and accept that she had people to look out for her. You’ll find your way, and whenever you feel like it’s all too much to handle, I want you to promise to tell me, so I can reassure you.”
“I promise,” I whispered back as Hailey and Jacob stepped in front of us.
“So, what do you think of the compound?” Jacob asked as he wrapped his arm around Hailey’s shoulder.
“It’s quiet,” I answered, and Hailey smiled at me.
“That’s one of the things I love about the compound. There’s always someone around but you have as much privacy as you need.”
“You seem to have found yourself a home here,” I remarked, and she nodded before looking at Jacob.
“I found the place that makes me happy.” She paused before adding, “And to have you here makes everything so much better.”
