Page 79 of Witness Protection

Hawk wasn’t going to push him. What was the point? After Sophia was free, they’d probably never see him again.

They crashed for the night. After everything they’d been through, a good night of sleep was essential.

Hawk didn’t wake up until the morning light hit him in the face from the narrow basement windows. He sat up on the sofa, feeling sore everywhere. His hand immediately went for his 9mm by his side. Everything was in place.

He looked toward the bedroom.

Cayden wasn’t in the bed.

Hawk made his way toward the bedroom but heard the static of the shower. Something caught his eye. A piece of paper poked out the top of Cayden’s jacket pocket. He pulled out the folded piece of paper, and it turned out to be a pencil drawing of Cayden. He stared at all the detail, and he knew right away it was drawn by Sophia.

She’d painted Hawk’s portrait a while back.

Sophia said she loved him, but she loved Cayden, too. He’d hoped he was wrong, and tried to ignore it, but it was clear.

How could he ask her to forget about a man she’d fallen in love with?

He’d never give her up. Hawk had claimed her, and he wanted to marry her. He’d do anything for Sophia—but what if she wanted Cayden more? Could he walk away?

Fuck, he knew he couldn’t.

As soon as the water stopped, he folded the paper and slipped it back in the jacket pocket and pushed away his emotions. He was getting a complex, worried about losing Sophia, but also feeling sorry for another man. Hawk wished he still hated Cayden with the same passion. It would make things so much easier.

He went to the kitchen.

It was nasty. Dishes in the sink, cheap laminate counters, and peeling paint on the cupboards. Nothing like he was used to in the Morenov mansion.

How could Cayden live like this? Hawk was used to everything money could buy.

Cayden came in the room, rubbing a towel over his head.

“You have coffee in here?” asked Hawk.

“In the cupboard.”

Hawk opened and closed the doors, finding the instant coffee container. “This shit?”

“Hey, I’m not forcing it down your throat.”

Hawk grimaced. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”

“I think I used all the hot water but help yourself.”

He couldn’t wait to get settled, to have a fucking address, dry-cleaned clothes, and plush towels. Hawk wanted the happily ever after with Sophia. And he wanted to hate Cayden.

Nothing was going according to plan.

Hawk looked at himself in the bathroom mirror, touching his cheek with a finger. The shadow of a bruise already appeared on his cheek. He’d initiated the fight, but it was because of his own guilt. Cayden had gone above and beyond keeping Sophia safe. Everyone else was out to destroy her. It was a big world, and Hawk would have his hands full once it was just him taking care of her.

His wounds were healing up well, and besides the new bruises, he was almost as good as new.

When he came back into the kitchen after washing and dressing, there were takeout coffee and pastries on the table. He raised an eyebrow at the offering.

“I did a quick coffee run. Wouldn’t want you to go slumming.”

Hawk took a seat, taken down a few pegs. “You have money, don’t you?”

“Sure. Killing pays well.”

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