Page 14 of Hawke

Central West Denver was definitely the other side of the tracks from the Golden Triangle neighborhood where I grew up. Ayden’s father had abandoned him and his siblings when he was very young. His mother worked three jobs to make ends meet, and had it not been for the scholarship he received to go to my private school, he would’ve never been able to go.

Unlike most of the snobbish kids at the Buckingham School, Chase had become friends with him right away, and years later, they’d remained close. It wasn’t until college, however, when the scrawny kid who spent all that time at our family dinner table had turned into the looker he was today. In fact, when he’d gotten a scholarship to the University of Colorado to play football, we naturally thought he’d eventually move into the National Football League, but an injury ended his career, causing him to return home where he started working with the Denver Police Department instead.

“He’s doing fine,” Chase answered, interrupting my thoughts. “He’s concerned with some recent homicides in the city.”

I rarely watched the news or kept up with things like that. Anything going on in the city was usually relayed around the table when my family hosted their monthly dinner parties. I should stay more in the loop, but with over-protective siblings and a might-as-well-be brother, I would hear about anything of concern anyway.

I ignored the look of concern on Chase’s face, then tore another piece of bread from the loaf and popped it into my mouth. “We’re not even out of January yet.”

“I know,” he said before picking up his phone once again. He read the message, cursed, and then looked at me. I already knew what he was about to say. “Maybe it is more important than I first thought. I need to call a raincheck on dinner tonight if that’s okay.”

“Of course,” I replied, then reached over to grab his arm in reassurance. “I actually need to check in on Emery anyway because she’s been quiet lately. We both know how unusual that is for her.”

That wasn’t the complete truth, but I didn’t want Chase to worry, which was exactly what he’d do if I told him about Nathaniel Hawkins. Hawke! My thoughts turned to my client and what had just transpired between us in the hallway. I had no idea what to do about him, but I hoped my friend would be able to give me some objective advice.

I nearly snickered at the idea of Emery being logical. My best friend was very impulsive whereas I played the role of the responsible one. I already knew what needed to be done. I had to find a way to ‘go big or go home’ when it came to Hawke, and I knew which friend would help me do exactly that.

“How is she doing?” Chase asked. All of my friends knew my brothers, and those siblings of mine genuinely appeared to care about them.

“She’s doing well, or was the last time I spoke to her.” I finished off the breadstick, then grabbed my phone from my purse. I sent a short text telling Emery to stay at her place before placing the iPhone back down onto the table. “Go ahead and hang out with Ayden. I’ll be with Em.”

“Okay. Promise me you’ll be very careful out there.”

I stood up and put my jacket on. After grabbing my purse, phone, and keys, I rolled my eyes at my brother. “I will, Chase. See you later.”

Before Chase could change his mind about dinner, I hurried out of the restaurant, not realizing how flushed my cheeks still were until the frigid wind hit them. I shivered, then pulled my coat tighter. Clutching my items, I hurried across the street to the parking garage.

When I’d gotten into my car, I took a quick glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, then groaned. My bottom lip was swollen, and after closer inspection, I realized he’d bitten it hard enough to cut it. Also, as suspected, my cheeks were still a bright pink.

“Gah,” I said before starting my car.

The Maserati roared to life, and I checked my mirrors before backing out of the parking space. Emery lived just a few miles away in a swanky high-rise, so with the steady traffic still out on the streets, it would take about fifteen or twenty minutes to get there. That’d allow me enough time to figure out how much I was going to tell my friend before asking for advice.

I turned on the satellite radio and listened to a few angst-ridden songs from Disturbed and Parkway Drive before I made it near my destination. After driving around the block a few times, I finally located an on-street parking space. I wasn’t the best at parallel parking, but satisfied that the rear end of my sports car wouldn’t be damaged, I turned off the ignition and grabbed my things.

When I stepped out of the car, I remembered my brother’s warning. He was always on my case to be more aware of my surroundings. It wasn’t as if I lived, worked, and hung around in the wrong neighborhoods. Still, I looked around and finally shrugged my shoulders.

Everything looks fine.

And with that, I crossed the street to the condominium where my best friend lived. The doorman had the door open before I even made it to the entrance, and I smiled. “Thank you, Giles.”

10 – CHARLOTTE

The door was opened as soon as I knocked, and I immediately found myself in one of my dark-haired friend’s tight embraces. “I’m so glad you’re here, Char. I was on the verge of getting dressed so I could hit up Sub Zero. Since you’re here, though, I’ll nix that idea.”

At the mention of our favorite nightclub, I almost wished I would’ve thought about changing clothes before meeting Chase for dinner. The only reason I hadn’t was because I’d been running late after leaving Platinum Dreams.

Shaking my head, I remembered my reason for this visit. “That sounds like a lot of fun, but I need your advice on something.”

“Ooh, do tell,” Emery said, stepping aside so I could enter the penthouse.

I walked into the great room, pulling my jacket off, then walking toward the leather sofa. After laying my coat over it, I turned to my best friend. “It’s about a man.”

Emery stuck her tongue out before disappearing into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of wine in one hand, and the long stems of two glasses in her other.

“Of course it’s about a man. Sit down, and pour us a glass of wine. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I took the glasses from her, then set them onto the glass center table. The bottle had already been uncorked, so I removed the top with ease, and poured equal amounts of wine into each glass.

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