Page 20 of Hawk

“Hawk,” I said.

“Hawk,” a small, scared voice that was barely above a whisper said. “He’s here. Hawk, he’s here at my house.”

“Mika? Is that you?” I thought I recognized his voice, but he was being so quiet I wasn’t sure. “Who’s there? Are you in danger?”

“Yes. No! I mean, I don’t know. He’s outside banging on the door, but it’s locked, and I don’t think he can get in. Or at least, I hope not. He’s a big guy, so maybe he could, or maybe not, but I have Seph here, and she’ll protect me. Or at least she’ll try. Unless he hurts her. Oh my God. What if he has a gun? He used to carry a gun. He could shoot her.”

“Mika, I need you to breathe for me, okay? Just take a breath. Are you at your house?”

“Yeah,” he answered, but I heard him taking in deep breaths and letting them out, just as I’d said.

“Okay, I’m on my way. Who’s Seph? And who’s at your door?”

“Seph’s a dog, and it’s my ex. He’s... well, he’s not a good man.”

“Okay, I want you to find a place to hide. Can you do that for me?”

I heard a loud banging sound followed by someone yelling. “Get your ass out here, boy, and then I won’t have to kill your dog.”

“Do not go out there. You hear me?” Shit. This didn’t sound good. My chest tightened at the idea of Mika in danger when he was far enough away from me that I couldn’t get to him, but I called on all the training I had for how to deal with situations just like this. Mika had called me for help, and I couldn’t do that if I freaked out.

“I hear you, Hawk. And I won’t. I can’t. I can’t go back with him. He’ll kill me this time.” He let out a broken sob, and my heart broke for my sweet little mouse. No wonder he was so jumpy and timid.

“You aren’t going anywhere. I’m at the rodeo grounds and headed your way. It won’t take me but maybe ten minutes to get there.”

I pressed the button on my com. “I have an emergency and need to leave. Also, I need someone to call nine-one-one and send a car to fourteen-oh-eight Sycamore. Tell them there’s a possible intruder who’s dangerous and possibly armed.”

“Copy that,” Gator said.

“Go away, Butch!” Mika yelled at the guy. “I’ve called for help, and this is a trained guard dog. You need to leave!”

“Did you find a place to hide?” I asked.

“I can’t leave Seph out here, and she won’t come with me,” he said, and I swear he was crying at that point.

“Listen to me, little mouse,” I said calmly. “You said she’s a trained guard dog, right?”

“I was lying,” he said quietly—I assumed so the guy at the door wouldn’t hear him. “She’s a great dog, and she’s well trained, but she isn’t a guard dog or anything.”

There was another bang on the door, and the guy said, “I’m leaving, you ungrateful little slut, but we aren’t finished. I know where you are now, and you won’t get away this time.”

There was a little gasp on his end of the phone, and I could just imagine how terrified he must be. I didn’t like this one bit. I didn’t know who Mika’s ex was, but I intended to find out. A second later, I heard the distinctive sound of a motorcycle starting up.

“Is he gone?” I asked.

“I think so. I don’t know. Seph isn’t barking or growling now, so maybe,” he said with a whimper.

“You’re okay, baby boy. I’m on my way, and you’re okay. Just stay put until I get there, okay?” I grabbed my keys and headed for my truck.

“Okay.”

“So tell me about this dog.” I didn’t know he had one, so I was curious, but mostly, I wanted to keep him talking until I got to him.

“She isn’t my dog. She belongs to my friend, Andy. You know him.”

“Right. He’s the firefighter?”

“Yeah. So he and his boyfriend went out of town for the weekend, and I’m keeping her for them.”

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