Page 47 of Hawk

I believed him. “And you guys don’t get mad when they leave?”

He let out a huff of laughter. “No. The high earners will always come back when a relationship ends or when an opportunity falls through, so no, we don’t get mad. And if we did, there are pretty girls flocking to the city every damn day, and most of them have no problem relying on their looks to earn money.” He bit into his burger with a groan that was so hot it incinerated my panties on the spot. “Who told you we were pimps?”

“Nobody,” I lied. “Not nobody, just a few different people.”

“Fine.” He ate his food in silence.

I moved my food around my plate, unable to eat the delicious-looking bacon cheeseburger even though I was starving. “Look, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset,” he replied. “Ready to go?”

I nodded as he picked up the to-go bag he’d gotten as well as our order, and his long legs carried him back to the motorcycle while I struggled to keep up. He shoved the brown paper bag into the pannier on the side of his bike and glanced at me.

“You are,” I insisted. “You haven’t said a word to me since I asked that damn question.”

“I’m not upset. A little disappointed that you think I would do that to people, but I’m not upset. Come on.”

I kept quiet and hopped on the back of the bike. It felt wrong to wrap my arms around him and seek his protection, but I wasn’t comfortable enough to hang on to the back bar. I held on tight, enjoying the sight of the world as it whipped past. My fingers tightened during the turns, but it was damn freeing to be on the back of his motorcycle.

I almost felt carefree as I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the feel of the wind on my face and the heat of Hawk’s body against my chest.

***

After twenty minutes the bike stopped, and I opened my eyes to see we were at a park. No, not just any park. It was the biggest park in the city where residents held picnics and couples walked hand in hand, laughing and smiling. “What are we doing here?”

“Stay here,” he barked at me while his gaze scanned the park.

“What? Why?” I kept up with his long-legged stride as best as I could. “Are we looking for someone?”

“I am, yes.”

“I can help,” I offered in an act of pure desperation.

“No, thanks.” His stride was purposeful, and I stayed beside him as he asked a few people if they’d seen someone named Axel.

“Who is Axel?”

Hawk didn’t answer, probably because he was pissed at me, which I guessed he should be. I hoped we’d talk about it and come to a conclusion, but it seemed like he was going to give me the cold shoulder.

“Okay, fine, ignore me.”

“Hey!” He suddenly shouted at a group of young teens who looked like they were just messing around.

“Hawk,” I began, but he wasn’t paying attention.

“Stop!” He took off at a dead run, forcing me to follow at a pitifully slower pace. He grabbed one kid by the shoulder and yanked him back so hard the kid fell flat on his ass. “Get the fuck off him,” he shouted, and tore another boy away.

I was about to tell him to be careful, they were just boys, when the rest of them parted to reveal an old man with a shock of white hair and a split lip. “Oh!” I rushed to the old man to render some kind of aid.

“Get the fuck out of here before each one you fuckers walks out with a limp, and if you touch this man or anyone else again, I will come after you and your families. Got it?”

With wide, terrified eyes, they nodded before they took off towards the nearest exit.

He turned to the older man. “Axel, are you okay?”

The old man laughed, his voice a deep baritone as he shook his head. “I’m fine, just a little busted up. These little fuckers are getting bolder, aren’t they?”

“That’s for fucking sure.” Hawk frowned as he took in the bruise that was beginning to form on Axel’s jaw and the split down his bottom lip.

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