Page 6 of Hawk

Still, we worked.

To hear that she’s possibly being abused rattles me to my core. I would like nothing other than to put my hands on whoever hurt her, even while knowing Ivy wants nothing to do with me. The last conversation we had, she told me she would be filing for divorce. While I know she’s not the blame for the destruction of our marriage, I’m still pissed that she wouldn’t at least hear me out. She cut me out of her life like the three years we were happy meant nothing.

Talk about a slap in the face.

“You will never know this, Brandon, but when a man is locked up and stripped of his dignity, he gets to thinking about a lot of things. I, for one, will not let anything or anyone take me down again. I’d made a promise to Ivy that I would stay out of trouble. I broke that promise. I’m not making any more promises to anyone but myself. From here on out, I’m putting me first over everything and everyone.”

As I speak those words, I hear revving motorcycles in the distance. I already know who they are. My brothers are coming to see me.

Sure enough, they pull up in formation and turn into the driveway. It’s only two from the crew, but their visit is a welcomed one.

They turn off their engines and take off their helmets.

Brandon says, “Alright, man. I’m heading out.”

I smirk and watch him walk off. He wants nothing to do with the MC since he says he doesn’t like the character of people I chose as associates.

“Fellas,” he says to them, nodding once as he walks to his truck.

Dragon, Vice President of Sin City, roughs me up and says, “You made it out of the slammer you dirty dog.”

“I guess you can say that,” I tell him.

“How does it feel to be home, man?” he asks.

“It feels good. It feels damn good.”

“Woooo! My brother’s home,” Wraith proclaims, punching me on the shoulder. “I see your brother still got a stick up his butt.”

“Nevermind him. Brandon is Brandon. You know how that goes. He’s straight-laced and intends on staying that way. I ain’t mad at that.”

I lean over, flip the top off of the cooler and toss them both a beer.

They both pop it open. It sprays out the top as they toss ‘em back. Wraith chugs the whole can and tosses it into the front yard.

“When are you coming to the clubhouse, man?” Wraith asks.

“Yeah,” Dragon says. “We’re ready to party and celebrate your release, brother!”

I’m not in a partying mood. After being locked up, I thought that was the first thing I wanted to do – go to the clubhouse, hang with the fellas, toss back some shots, entertain some company from a Beauty and pass out drunk with a naked woman on top of me. But that’s far from what I want. I’m feeling real chill right now. I would like nothing other than to lay on my sofa, watch TV and drink my beer in peace and privacy.

But they want to party.

“Come on, Hawk. Prez has requested your presence. We all need to catch up, bro,” Dragon says.

I sigh. When Prez requests your presence, you just go and Loki has requested mine, so I guess I should show my face around there. It’ll probably be good for me, anyway.

“I’ll be down there tonight,” I drawl.

“That’s what I’m talking about. It’s about to be a party! Woo!!!” Wraith exclaims.

They head back to their motorcycles, slide their helmets on and drive off.

I wasn’t prepared for this. I had no idea I’d feel this way after my release. And it’s not like I want to shun the club. I’d never do that. It’s the simple fact that I need some time to get myself together without booze and big tits in my face. My focus is to get my shop back up and running and rebuild my clientele. I don’t have room for much else.

Chapter 2

Ivy

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