Page 45 of Hawke

At first, I had intended to keep the events from that night to myself, but after running into Hawke in Denver, I needed to confide in someone, so I had in my bestie. Since then, Emery had been absolutely amazing. She’d listened to me cry and rant, and she never complained once. We had gone through so many pints of ice cream and bottles of wine that Em had even suggested we buy stock in those companies.

“Well, just remember that tonight he’ll have more than just you to contend with.” Emery then disappeared back into my bedroom for what I assumed would be her fifth outfit change. Ever indecisive, it usually took about a half dozen different looks before she’d settle with one.

I shook my head and took a seat in the living room. The television was still on and I had been about to turn it off when I saw the breaking news banner flash across the screen. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I turned my attention to the story and smiled when I saw Ayden on camera. I grabbed the remote, turned up the volume, and looked at my friend.

“Em, you’re missing Ayden,” I yelled, only getting a muffled response in return.

My best friend’s closet was massive and since I knew that’s where Emery was, I figured it would be a while before she emerged. I turned my attention back to the television and furrowed my brow. The mayor was also at the press conference and standing beside my friend.

“Six people have been murdered this year alone on our city streets. We’re going to find this son of a bitch and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law,” the mayor promised, earning a cheer in response. “He’s out there watching this news conference as we speak, so let me say a few things to him.” He stopped to take a breath and allow the press to snap a few pictures before the camera zoomed in on him. “You’re not going to win. You think you control these streets, but you don’t. These brave men and women standing behind me are going to hunt you down and when they do, you’ll pay for the terror you’ve inflicted upon the citizens of Denver.”

Emery returned at that moment in something that looked more like a nightgown than a dress. I felt completely overdressed in my sweater, tight jeans, and heels. Since the weather was still bi-polar, though, I had erred on the side of caution with my attire. Hawke had me feeling bad enough already, I didn’t need to add being sick on top of it all.

“Whatcha watching?” my friend asked, sitting on the arm of the sectional so she could wind the silk ribbon from her heels up her legs.

“The serial killer has struck for a sixth time,” I responded.

“Damn, was it another hooker?”

I shook my head. Most of the women had been, but this was an exotic dancer from a strip club located just blocks away from Syn. “Nope, a dancer. Are you—”

“Ayden!” Emery exclaimed, having just noticed the detective. “You didn’t tell me he was on television.”

“Actually I did, but he didn’t actually do much talking, so you didn’t miss anything.” I wasn’t lying. The mayor had monopolized the entire press conference and I knew it was because he wanted to be front and center since he was up for re-election later that year. I didn’t pay much attention to politics. My older brothers and parents did, though.

“Well, damn,” was all Em could say. “I wonder if he does private bodyguard services.”

I laughed. “If he did, I’m not sure it’s not your body he’d be guarding. Now, if you’re ready, let’s go before I change my mind.”

I had almost turned down the invitation to go to Syn, but Emery had convinced me otherwise. It wasn’t that I was afraid I would run into Hawke, I was actually more worried about not running into him.

What would I do then?

I didn’t picture myself submitting to anyone else there, but if Hawke was MIA, then maybe Ryder would be there. I had gleaned some interesting tidbits about his friend the last time I’d seen him. It was also what led to me doing a scene with Hawke.

Emery offered to drive tonight, which was for the best. If Hawke either wasn’t there or things went south with him, I had a feeling I would need to make use of the large bar. I followed my bestie out of the penthouse and to Em’s BMW I8. The two-seater was fully loaded and had all custom features. I’d come to expect nothing less when it came to her, though.

Once inside the car, I started to regret not changing into something sexier. There was no time to go back to my place and pitter through my closet for something, so this would have to do. I couldn’t change outfits, but I could make sure my makeup was on point. I lowered the visor and glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

I used almost every second of the drive from Emery’s place to Syn to touch up my makeup, finally smoothing out my foundation as we pulled into the nearby parking garage. We then made our way across the street to the club.

When we’d reached the front, Manny, one of the security guards, was outside checking identification. Pulling my wallet out of my purse, I flashed my license to him, surprised when he stopped me from entering. I had no idea what was going on especially since he motioned for Emery to go ahead inside.

“I’m not going anywhere without Charlotte,” she told Manny.

“She’s not on the membership list,” he stated.

“There has to be a mistake,” I told him.

Had Hawke removed me from the list, or had it simply been an oversight?

“I can give a call to member services,” he offered, and thankful for that, I nodded and smiled.

“Thank you.”

Emery was mouthing for me to not worry, but something stunk about this entire situation. The longer he talked to whoever was on the other end of the line, the more certain I was that this had been no mistake. Finally, Manny put his phone back into his pocket.

“You were a member, but your membership has been revoked. You should be receiving a letter explaining it all in the mail,” he told me, his help and sympathy ending there. Looking over my shoulder, he summoned the next small group and began inspecting their identifications for entry.

---