Page 31 of Cage's Fall

Hawk rolled his eyes. “Need I remind you, your turning twenty five, not five.”

“Fuck that Prez, this is the best fuckin present ever.”

“Better than the new motor for your bike? Which I forked grands out for?”

Jacob grinned. “So much better.”

I chuckled and both of them looked at me, like it was music to their ears or something. Their expressions caused me to stop laughing. “So should we order?” I said, and I didn’t even say that to get the night over with. I was actually hungry, and the boys were making it awkward by looking at me like that.

* * *

It was awkward at first. The conversation was slow. But it got better when Jacob flipped steak across the room. Brought back memories of him throwing food at me when I was little. The conversation got easier after that, even Hawk had some great one lined comments.

But the conversation died when Jacob went to the toilet, and I was left with Hawk. I was nervous at first and then grounded myself. He wouldn’t be here, willingly if he wanted nothing to do with me. He could easily go to Jacob’s club party.

“So how you been?” I asked him, and his eyes snapped off his phone and on to me. I would have to say seeing the surprise in his eyes, made me think hard about how I’ve treated him this last year.

“Good, Autumn.”

The fact he didn’t use his nickname for me, sent an alert through my body. He was mad at me. And then he didn’t ask me, how I was. The conversation died right after he answered the question.

Did I even bother asking another one?

“And the club’s good?” I went against my better judgement and asked him.

He looked back at me surprised. I guess because I had written the club off, told him I wanted nothing to do with it, and here I was asking about it.

“Fine.” His one word answers, made me realize— I had done damage. A lot. Not one dinner was going to fix it.

He then opened his mouth, looking me in the eyes for the first time tonight. But then Jacob walked back in and he closed his mouth. Guess that saved him from a forced conversation with me.

“Well I guess that makes it a night.” I said, getting my wallet out and Hawk was quick to shake his head.

“I’m paying.” He said, and it was final, knew by his tone I couldn’t argue with him.

“Well thanks for dinner and happy birthday Jacob.” I said getting up. And quickly hugging my brother.

“Autumn, can I have a word?” Hawk said, as I pulled away from Jacob. He then looked at Jacob. “Seeing as ya brother didn’t bring it up, it puts me in a place where I have to.”

Jacob shook his head. “Come on Hawk, don’t ruin a good night. I’ll handle it atanother day.”

“Handle what?” I asked.

“Jacob’s made a mistake.” Hawk began to explain and I frowned, but nodded my head for him to keep going. “And as a result. You have been put in danger. Everyone knows you’re his blood.”

I looked between them both.

“Need you to move back to the club, till we sort shit out. Don’t want you dead, like your parents.” Hawk said, with such a coldness in his voice. And the way he casually brought up my parents deaths, frustrated me.

“Come on Hawk tell her the fucking truth!” Jacob sneered. “You don’t want her death on your hands, cause you just made it sound like you don’t give a shit if she lives or dies.”

Hawk was silent.

But Jacob was right. Hawk had made it sound like he didn’t care what happened to me.

“Autumn can think that if she wants. Regardless, she’s coming back to the clubhouse.” Hawk’s cold steel eyes locked with mine. “Kicking or screaming, ya coming.”

A coldness waved over my skin. “Well Hawk, you’ve made it clear.” I looked into his steel eyes. “That you aren’t doing this because you care. I’ll pack a bag.” And I wasn’t sure what else to say, because I had learned first hand what happens when you are a clubs target.

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