Page 16 of Hawk

My first thought was that maybe it was some kind of sale flyer someone put on my car when I stopped at VPA, but that couldn’t be. There was no way I drove all the way home with that thing flapping in the wind without noticing.

I’d heard about people putting things under your windshield wiper so you’d have to stop to look at it—and then they’d grab you. But there was no place near my driveway where anyone could hide.

I was being silly. It was probably pizza coupons or something.

I made myself push open the car door, got out just enough to reach between the door and the hood, and grabbed the note. Then I hopped back inside and locked the door.

It had been months since I’d freaked out about nothing, and now here I was—for the second time in as many weeks—letting my imagination get the best of me. I really had thought I’d gotten past this, but I knew Andy was right, and I had to give myself both time and grace.

I opened the note and stared at it. My eyes widened, and my pulse sped up.

It didn’t say much, but what it said was more than enough.

I see you.

It didn’t have my name on it, so it could’ve been for anyone. It was probably just a harmless prank. Right?

I mean—I see you? What did that even mean?

My mind immediately went back to the Farmers Market when I thought I’d seen Butch. This was just like something he would do. He always loved to play games with people’s heads. But there was no way Butch was in Vesper, Texas. That made no sense at all. If he’d been able to track me down, he would’ve shown up long ago.

It was a stupid teenage prank or meant for someone else.

I reached up and grabbed the necklace hanging from my neck, thinking about the words written on the pendant.Saint Michael, protect us.

Maybe Ishouldlook up that prayer after all.

I glanced at my door and considered going back inside, but I wasn’t skipping the class that was supposed to teach me to protect myself just because I’d let someone spook me. I was tired of running and hiding. That was the whole point of taking the class—to stop being afraid all the time.

I took a few deep breaths and backed out of my driveway.

Hawk

I’d been out at the camp all day working with a group that was there forteam buildinginstead of training. Those were my least favorite groups, but Crowe had needed a hand today and no one else had been available.

We’d run over time, and I’d had to rush back to make it in time for class. I pulled into the parking garage, but I didn’t bother going around to park in my usual spot—this side was closest to the entrance to the training room.

I hadn’t made it out of my truck when a four-door sedan that had seen better days pulled in and parked. I watched as Mika stepped out. He looked around nervously before heading toward the entrance.

He’d come up to me at the club, so I figured I was making some progress. I decided to hurry and see if I could catch him. It would be a short walk to class, but we could at least have a conversation.

I hopped out of the truck and quickened my pace, calling his name. He squealed and wheeled around, eyes wide and hands clasped around something hanging from his neck.

I stopped and put my hands up. “It’s just me,” I said in the calmest, most reassuring voice I could conjure.

“Hawk,” he breathed. “You scared me.”

“Yeah, parking garages can be pretty creepy.”

He let out a wry chuckle. “Yeah. You never can tell who might be lurking around.”

“True. But this parking garage is monitored at all times by our security.”

He glanced around, probably looking for the cameras, but he wouldn’t find them. Kat was way better than that.

“Well, that’s good, then.”

“Let’s get into class. Everyone’s probably wondering where we are.” I walked to the entrance and opened the door for him.

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