Page 78 of Witness Protection

Hawk sat on a chair in the living area, getting comfortable. This was nice. And fucked up.

“I had nothing to do with what went down at the bakery. I just wanted you to know that.”

Cayden briefly glanced up at him, nodding once.

“I was the one to find them.”

“I’m sorry,” Hawk said. He meant it.

Cayden’s jaw twitched. “It was a bloodbath. What I don’t understand is why not just kill him? Why torture and slaughter a helpless man, his wife, and their three kids? He didn’t even own a gun. He was a fucking baker.”

“Vasily was a sick bastard. Before I killed Vladimir, he told me some of the details of my parents’ murder. I had no idea. If I’d known, things would have been different.”

“The only good thing that came out of him was his daughter.”

He agreed one hundred percent.

Hawk watched as Cayden continued cleaning his guns, using oils and different techniques. They could probably teach each other a lot.

“Did you plan on killing Sophia?”

Cayden scoffed. “That was the plan.”

“What changed?”

He leaned back, losing interest in his work. “She wasn’t what I expected.”

Sophia was fire and innocence intertwined. Hawk didn’t need an explanation.

“What I don’t understand is how you can be ready to die for her, but you don’t want her for yourself? What’s your reasoning?”

Cayden licked his lips, appearing to want to crawl out of his own skin. “She deserves better, okay?”

“And you think I’m a good catch?”

His brow furrowed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Don’t you have a history together? How long have you known her?”

“All my life. She was my ward since she turned eighteen. Until I found out what Vasily did to my family, I was very good at denying myself.” Hawk clasped his fingers together. “You have any childhood sweethearts?”

Cayden shook his head. “I never get attached. And most of my childhood is blacked out.”

“I’ve been in this business forever. Seen all kinds of people, from all walks of life. When it comes to childhoods, they can shape a person. No matter how much you think you’re in control as an adult. Being beaten can make you strong, sometimes cruel, and the sexual abuse can really fuck with a person’s head, mess them up beyond repair.”

“And you’re telling me this, why?”

“I can see it written all over you,” said Hawk. “Why else am I still breathing? You’re afraid of commitment because of whatever you went through.”

Cayden kept quiet. He bristled, appearing uniquely threatened that Hawk managed to peel away his layers. He wasn’t trying to be an asshole.

“You have a fancy degree, too? Am I an open book now? No way do I plan to admit the horrors I’ve lived through in foster care. Stick to contracts because you’re a terrible shrink.”

“Say you don’t love her, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Love isn’t the question. It’s about what Sophia deserves. I have nothing to offer.”

Hawk leaned back in his chair. He could see himself in Cayden. Feel his pain. “You’re cutting yourself short. Sophia’s a smart woman. She wouldn’t be drawn to an evil man.”

Cayden blocked him out.

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