Page 65 of Hawk

“Right, assuming they’re still in town.” And with that, Chance left.

“I just want you to know that we’re going to do everything possible to keep you safe, Mika,” Wolfe said. “Not just Hawk, but all of us here at Three Bears.”

“Thank you,” Mika said softly.

“Now, I want you two to get on outta here. You’ve got a rough few days ahead, so take a little time to enjoy the calm before the storm.”

I stood and nodded before stretching out my hand for Mika. “He’s not wrong, so how about if you and I order some food and watch a movie?” He took my hand, and I pulled him to his feet.

“I like the sound of that.”

An hour or so later, we were cuddled up on the couch, watching one of Mika’s favorite movies. It was a British murder mystery that didn’t really appeal to me, but he seemed really into it. Not that anything would’ve held my attention. All I could think about was the fact that I was about to willingly put this sweet boy in danger.

I knew we’d do everything we could to keep him safe, but there were so many things that could go wrong. Sometimes, no matter how much you planned or how good you were, things still went to shit. I knew that all too well.

I thought I’d been doing a decent job of pretending to watch the movie, but apparently, I hadn’t because, after a bit, Mika lifted his head off my shoulder and turned to look at me.

“We can pick something else if you want.”

“No, this is fine.”

“Are you okay?”

I tightened my arms around him. He was the one who was putting himself in danger. I should’ve been the one asking him if he was okay, not the other way around—but that was just like my boy. He was so sweet, so caring, and so sensitive. It was no wonder I hadn’t been able to hide how worried I was from him.

“I’m fine. I just don’t like the idea of you having to deal with that man. The day you left him should’ve been the end of it, and I hate that it wasn’t.”

“You’re right. It should’ve been the end. But the truth is, I knew all along it wasn’t. I’ll just be glad when it’s done this time. Because thiswillbe the end.”

“Damn right, it is. He’ll never get to hurt you again. Not as long as I’m breathing.”

“Thank you, but you don’t know that for sure, and that’s okay. I know you’re probably sitting there running a thousand different scenarios through your head about how this can all go wrong, but this is my best chance to be completely free of him, and it’s worth the risk. I ran from him before, but I don’t want to run anymore.”

“That’s all I want for you. For you to be free and for your life to go back to normal.”

He slid to the side and turned to face me. “What’s normal, exactly?”

I looked at him, confused, because I thought it was pretty clear. I wanted him to be able to walk down the street without fear. I wanted to take him out on a real date without watching the door for threats. I didn’t want him cooped up here in the house instead of going to the Farmers Market with Andy.

“Does that mean I go back to my house alone, working for Mary Ellen, and hanging out with my friends? Because I have to be honest with you, Hawk. That doesn’t sound all that great to me.”

“You mean what happens with us?” Obviously, I’d done a shit job as a Daddy if he thought for a second that I didn’t want to be part of whatever came next for him.

“Yeah, what happens with us when this is all over?”

“I should tell you that what happens next is up to you, that it’s your choice, but I’ve never lied to you, and I don’t mean to start now. You’re mine, Mika, and I don’t plan to let you go without a fight. So, as far as I’m concerned, you don’t ever have to go back to that house alone. I want you here with me. As far as the rest of it goes, that’s up to you. You can go back to work, or you can quit. You can hang out with your friends or tell them to take a hike. I’m pretty sure Andy wouldn’t agree with that, though.”

He chuckled at that. “Andy has some serious Daddy energy for a boy, don’t you think?”

“He does, but that’s just the protective firefighter in him, and Jesse loves that about him, which means Jesse is the perfect Daddy for him.”

He nodded. “And you’re the perfect Daddy for me.”

“Damn right.”

“So I can stay here with you, then?”

“I’d like to see you try to leave,” I growled.

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