Page 87 of Storm Warning

“For what?”

“For being thoughtful. You remembered that I said I was hungry, and you stopped. I know you didn’t want to stop because we’re in the middle of escaping bad guys yet again.”

“Stopping might not have been the best idea, but I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think it was safe at the moment.”

“I’m still going to enjoy the fries. I mean heroes have toeat too. Whatever happened before in your job, you’re a hero. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

He didn’t care if anyone thought he was a hero. He wasn’t seeking that title, but the words coming from Remi meant the world to him. He wished he could somehow tell her, show her.

After getting their food, he hit the road again and ate with one hand. It didn’t take him long to devour a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and large fries. Finally, he entered the Port of Seattle and crept along the street until he found the older industrial section. And there it was, the abandoned Transnational building. Hawk steered into the parking lot, apprehension building in his chest.

What would he find? More gunmen waiting to meet them? Had Gordo really sent him the message?

Hawk parked and stepped out of the vehicle to look around. His friend rushed forward from the stairwell. Relieved, Hawk grabbed Gordo up in a bear hug. Remi strolled around the vehicle and stood back, watching.

Hawk released Gordo and motioned Remi to come closer.

“Man, what happened?” Hawk asked.

“A couple of gunmen were out there looking at your bird. I grabbed my pistol and went out to question them and get them off my property. They opened fire, and I took cover. I called the police. The men were gone by the time the police got there.”

“Well, they were there just now.”

“I know. I got the video feed. I would have warned you sooner, except I didn’t see your text until I got here. I decided to get out of there. Figured this was about whatever business you’re wrapped up in. Man, it’s always something with you.” He grinned, though the gravity of the situation remained behind his eyes.

“Thanks for having my back,” Hawk said. “Oh, and I’msorry about your vehicle.” Hawk angled toward the back end.

Gordo looked at the bullet holes, his frown deepening. “This can be fixed. I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Yeah, me too. But the damage here makes it hard for me to bring this up. You mentioned you have another ride for me.”

Gordo chuckled. “Yeah, I can understand that. But desperate times, right? It’s on the roof. A Bell 206B-3 helicopter.”

A Jet Ranger. Hawk was more than familiar. This Bell was what he’d flown for King County. He gave a low whistle. “How did you get your hands on that?”

“It had some issues. Let’s just say a guy owed me and I got it for a steal. Been working my magic.”

Hawk wasn’t sure about this. “You sure you want me in the cockpit?” Because the last time he’d been in this bird, he’d crashed.

“I’m sure.”

“I don’t know.”

“I’ve got your bird back at the warehouse for collateral.”

“It’s not an even trade.”

“Who said anything about trading. Just bring it back to me in one piece. I trust you. You got me out of a lot of messes, so I’m here for you.”

His words touched Hawk to the core. He couldn’t repay him if anything happened to this bird. He squeezed Gordo’s shoulder. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Just get out of here. You can go anywhere you want.”

He could think of a few hundred places he’d like to go, but then he glanced at Remi. She blinked at him, then looked away. Yeah. She’d wanted to travel the world, so she told him, but now she was gunning for the lodge. Shemight not have told him everything because right now, that didn’t seem like the best place to go. But she was at the center. The main reason he should keep her safe and maybe ignore her demands, and on the other side of that same scale, he needed to listen to her needs, her direction, her intuition that had kept her safe and alive before Hawk even showed up.

What her brain had hidden away was at the heart of this mission.

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