Page 28 of Hawk

“We can also reinforce the doors, replace the locks with something stronger, and install an alarm system. I doubt your landlord would mind any of those changes.”

“If anything, I guess he would be getting an upgrade.”

I liked my landlord, and if he knew I was in danger, he might even offer to take the cost of those things off the rent.

But I would never ask him to do that. This was my problem, not his.

“Any other ideas?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not right off the top of my head. I don’t like that you don’t have a secure way to get from the house to your car. I wish you had a garage, but I can’t change that unless you want to come stay at my place until this is resolved.”

“Resolved? How is this going to be resolved, Hawk? I can’t just stay with you for the rest of my life, just in case my psycho ex comes back.”

“Mika, listen to me. I don’t know how yet, but I will take care of this for you. You won’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life.”

He looked so serious and so determined.

I didn’t know how he was going to manage it, but I believed if anyone could, it was Hawk.

That was why I called him, and knowing he believed he could handle it gave me a small measure of hope that maybe everything would be all right.

Chapter ten

Hawk

Seph woke me up bright and early Monday morning. Mika wasn’t out here yet, so I gave my back a good stretch, hoping to work out the kinks from sleeping on his couch. I’d slept in worse places, but it had been a while, and my body wasn’t used to it anymore. But if my little mouse realized I was uncomfortable, he’d try to give me his bed again, and that wasn’t happening. Like there was any way I would put him between myself and the front door.

I let the dog out to do her business before going into his kitchen and putting on a pot of coffee. I knew better than to try to think before coffee, but my brain was already focused on Mika and his situation. I’d told him I would take care of this. That he wouldn’t have to hide for the rest of his life. Problem was, I had no idea how, which was why I needed to get to Three Bears headquarters today. I’d had Kat digging up info on both Butch and the Iron Jackals, so hopefully, that would give me what I needed to come up with a plan.

I was standing in the kitchen watching the dog out the window when Mika walked in. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants and nothing else. His sleep-mussed hair and barely awake expression reminded me of our previous conversation. He was wrong—adorable didn’t meannot sexy—because, in this minute, he was so adorable, and he was sexy as fuck.

“Morning, mouse. How did you sleep?”

“Okay, I guess, but only because you were here.” He looked up at me. “What am I supposed to do when you have to leave?”

“Baby boy, I’m not leaving as long as you’re in danger.”

“You say that, but we talked about this. We don’t know how long it’ll take, or if he’ll ever go away.”

“I don’t know how long it’ll take, but trust me, he will go away. Now, let’s talk about what you’re doing today. You said the house where you work is part of a gated community, correct?”

“Yes, and they have a guard at the gate who’s very thorough. You have to show ID, and if your name isn’t on the list, they contact the homeowner to confirm you should be there.”

“I bet that’s hell on delivery drivers.”

“Most of the residents let the gate know if they’ve ordered something, but I’m sure it’s still a hassle.”

“But the main thing is, it’s probably enough of a hassle to deter Butch from bothering you at work. So, here’s the plan… I’ll be here at the house when you are. I’ll stay with you until you’re gone, and I’ll be here when you get back. What time do you get home?”

“It varies. Technically, I’m supposed to work until five, but sometimes she sends me home early, depending on what she has going on.”

“Okay, then I’ll plan on being here to meet you at five-thirty. If you get off early, text me, and I’ll either leave to meet you here or have you come to Three Bears HQ.”

“I’ll need to come home at lunchtime to let Seph out and play with her. I can’t leave her cooped up in the house all day.”

“You just stay put, and I’ll come by at lunch to take care of the dog,” I assured him.

“You don’t have to do that.”

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