Page 2 of Emily's Essence

He could tell she didn’t trust him, but he didn’t blame her.

“What’s your name?”

“E … Emily.”

“I’m Hawk.”

She looked a little confused.

“What?” he asked.

“It … it’s an unusual name.”

He snorted. “Where are you headed?” He was impressed because she held herself together where other women would have fallen apart. She held the shirt they ripped together and tried to wipe the blood that came from her split lip. Her eyes were swollen, and she had bruises everywhere. She was a tough little shit. He respected that.

“I don’t know.”

“Where did they get you?”

“Coming out of a convenience store.”

“Can we take you home?”

She shook her head. “No, that’s what I was running from. If you can just give me the backpack they took from me, I’ll be on my way.”

Jesus, he had so many questions and would damn well get his answers before he let her go.

“Let’s go find it, and then we’ll take care of you.”

Hawk grabbed her upper arm, careful to be gentle. They walked outside to see his men come around the side of the building, grinning.

“They took her bag, guys. Let’s find it and then head out.”

The men walked to the bastards’ bikes.

“I’ve got it,” Brick, his vice prez, called out. He held it up.

“There’s a motel several miles down the road. Let’s stop there for the night. I want Doc to look her over.”

“Wait,” she said and tried to tug her arm away from him. “If you just give me my bag, I’ll go my way.”

Hawk shook his head. “No, you won’t. You’ll let us take care of you.”

She started to struggle.

He cupped the back of her head and held her steady. “Settle down. We’re not going to hurt you.”

She sniffed. “All men say that, but you’re all liars.”

Fuck. “Listen, I’m not sure what’s going on with you, but you’re not in any shape to go anywhere by yourself. You’re hurt and in shock. Let us take care of you. I would swear we’d never hurt you, but I don’t think you’d take my word for it.”

Chapter Two

Emily felt shakier and knew she would collapse in the next minute or so. She knew she was probably being an idiot, but he wasn’t going to let her go, so she didn’t have a choice. There was no more fight left in her. Her whole body ached, and her brain was muddled, making it nearly impossible to think straight.

“I’ll go with you, but I have to do something first.”

She tugged her arm away and walked over to the bastards’ bikes. She kicked as hard as she could, making them all crash to the ground.

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