Page 10 of Hawk
Skid went to speak, but I held my hand up, stopping him before he could ask anything. I needed to get this out without interruption. “When the family patriarch died a year or so later, his eldest son freed me from any obligations to them, and I began to do . . . freelance work. Before you ask, yes, I worked for those assholes’ father for a brief period of time. He was the last job I had, and that’s what brings us to here.”
“Do you know where Hailey’s mom is, Hawk?” Gunner inquired, and I shook my head. “Then why do they assume you do?”
“Because ten years ago, just before I met Araneta, I discovered how depraved and demented Devlin’s father was, and I did one last thing, against all the rules before I disappeared.”
“What was that one thing?” Gunner asked quietly, and I brought my eyes to his.
“I saved a woman who had been held captive for years and delivered her to someone who could help her heal. Someone who could give her what she needed to never be a victim again.”
“Was it Stella?’ Skid asked, but I didn’t answer because truthfully, I didn’t know.
A soft knock sounded into the room and Skid looked to Gunner for instruction. He lifted his chin, so Skid walked to the door and cracked it open to see who was outside. He glanced over his shoulder to me before speaking softly to whoever was out there. When he stepped aside, I understood his reservations as Hailey walked inside the room alone.
Jasmine was standing next to her, and I was surprised that Hatchet let her come in without him. She was fidgeting with her hands as she approached the couch, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes as she looked at Gunner. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I need to say something to Hawk, if that’s okay with everyone.”
I nodded, knowing whatever the sweet girl was going to say would gut me.
“Devlin and Lucian told me what they suspect, and I just want you to know that whatever you decide is okay with me.” I lifted my eyes to her, feeling shame at how understanding she was being. “I don’t know her, not really, but I do know you. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me and if . . . if you think I don’t need to know, then I trust your judgement.”
Her blue eyes glistened as she looked at me and I knew, no matter what, I was going to give her the answers she so desperately wanted.
She approached me slowly and leaned over, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me softly. She whispered so only I could hear, “I trust you, Hawk. You’re a good man.” A small kiss was placed on my cheek before she stood and glanced at Gunner and Skid. “Thank you for allowing me to interrupt.”
Without another word, she and Jasmine turned and left the room, silently closing the door behind them and leaving me in a silent hell.
I sat back and let my head flop against the back of the couch. “Fuck,” I stated into the air, then I lifted my head to see Gunner and Skid watching me intently. “I need to talk to someone about all this, and it’s not the kind of conversation you have over the phone. Can . . . can one of you watch Matthew and Anna for a few days while I’m gone?”
Gunner sat up and gave me a small smile. “They’re welcome to stay with Sadie and me until you get back. Maybe we’ll let Skid and Grace babysit for practice.”
I appreciated Gunner lightening the mood as I chuckled softly and slapped Skid on the back. He offered me a reassuring pat on the back before the three of us walked to the door of the office. I exhaled deeply as I said to them, “I guess it’s time to tell the assholes.”
Devlin had DJ on his hip as we re-entered the clubhouse. He was talking to Hailey and Hatchet and Lucian was nowhere to be seen while Jackal leaned against the bar, watching intently. Everyone turned their heads as Skid, Gunner, and I walked across the room toward them. Devlin still appeared to be pissed as we stepped up to him, and I fought the urge to tell him to fuck off.
“What did you decide?” Devlin asked as he gently bounced his sleepy son.
Hailey watched expectantly, and Hatchet had his arm firmly over her shoulder, keeping their bodies touching as he offered her reassurance.
“I don’t know anything definitively.” I looked at Hailey and explained, “I’ve got to speak with someone, and I can’t promise I’ll have the answers you want when I return.”
She nodded, trying to hide the disappointment.
“Do you need someone to come with you?” Hatchet asked, and I shook my head.
“Where I’m going is no one’s business, but I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to give you the answers you need.”
I spoke directly to Hailey, ignoring Devlin and everyone else watching. Whatever I discovered could upend more lives than the ones standing inside the clubhouse. There were players in the game that may not want to be revealed, but I just hoped this would give peace to Hailey.
And I prayed I wouldn’t destroy anyone in the process, least of all myself.
Hailey hugged me briefly, and Hatchet gave me a pat on the back as I returned her embrace. She released me, and I looked down at her, softly placing my hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few days.”
Without saying another word, I turned and walked out of the clubhouse. I needed to see my kids and explain that I was leaving them for a few days. They’d been through so much in the last couple years, and I never wanted them to think I’d abandoned them like their mother did. School was about an hour from being dismissed when I got into my car and pulled out of the Death Hounds compound.
Turning right onto the road, I drove as quickly as I could to their elementary school. Briefly, I sat in the car and wondered where my life would be if I hadn’t gotten injured in the military. Or if I’d let that puny kid get his ass kicked by those three men. Would I even be a Death Hound, or would I be someone I wouldn’t recognize?
It did no good to daydream, so I exhaled deeply and walked into the school. Still wearing my cut, I entered the building and into the front office.
“I need to check out Matthew and Anna Hawkins, please.”
