Page 87 of Hawk
“Okay,” I answered, and with great reluctancy, I slid from the bed.
He got out the other side, and together, we quickly made the bed. He pulled on his jeans and shirt as I found a clean pair of panties in my bag and slipped them on. After grabbing a pair of shorts and putting them on, I watched as he walked around the bed and pulled me close.
He kissed me deeply and whispered, “I may need another taste of you before breakfast.”
I felt my face grow hot and knew the blush must be extreme. He chuckled as he released me, only to take my hand into his and walk us into the living room. Zeus was asleep on his big pillow, and lifted his head to look at us as we entered the room.
“I’ll bring your coffee to you,” Colton said, and I nodded before clicking my tongue at Zeus.
He stood from his comfortable pillow and stretched with a giant yawn before following me to the front door. Walking outside, I felt a peace wash over me that I’d never experienced before. The compound was quiet so early in the morning, and I could understand why Hailey stayed here. Inside the walls, it seemed impossible for bad things to touch us, and I hoped she was happy here.
I took a seat on the small front porch steps as Zeus sniffed around, looking for the perfect spot to do his business. A noise from the cabin to my left drew my attention, and I smiled as Jasmine bounded down the stairs and greeted Zeus with a good morning sniff. A moment later, Hailey walked outside and looked over at my cabin.
She saw me sitting on the steps and waved before walking over to sit with me. She looked happy, and my heart soared, realizing she and I had both found our happiness in the most unlikely of places.
“How was your first night here?” she asked, and I tried not to blush. She smiled and glanced over her shoulder to the closed cabin door before looking back at me. “I take it Hawk was good to you last night?”
“Hailey, you know I can’t answer that,” I chided, and she chuckled softly.
“I didn’t mean like that, but it’s good to know he’s treating you right,” she joked as the door to the cabin opened and he walked out with a cup of coffee for me.
“Good morning, Hailey. Can I get you a cup?” Colton asked, and she shook her head slightly.
“Good morning, Hawk. I’m good but thank you.”
Colton leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to call Rose and see how Matthew and Anna were last night. I’ll give you ladies some time to visit.”
He walked back inside and closed the door, giving us privacy. Jasmine and Zeus began to play as I sipped on my coffee, happier than I could ever remember. Hailey rested her head on my shoulder, and I leaned mine against hers. It was a perfect moment that I wished could last forever, but I knew we had things to do today.
When Jasmine walked up to her, she sat up and scratched the dog’s head before asking, “Why didn’t you try and find me sooner?”
There was no malice or pain in her voice, just curiosity. I placed my empty cup on the step between my feet as I tried to explain. “I was afraid you would hate me for abandoning you, and honestly, I didn’t know where to start.”
“But you’ve been close all these years?”
I swallowed thickly and replied, “I was, and I did everything I could to keep you safe, since I’d failed for so long.”
“You didn’t fail. You saved me when I needed it the most. I don’t hate you and I never will, but I do have some questions. You don’t have to answer them, but if you could, that would mean a lot.”
“I’ll answer what I can,” I explained and waited for her to start dropping bombs.
“Do you know the person who took you?”
“It was my father, your grandfather. He thought I had reneged on a business deal of his and was determined to make me live up to his agreement,” I answered, purposely being vague.
“Why did he leave me behind with . . . her? Why wouldn’t he let me go with you?” she asked, and I turned to look at her.
“My father was an evil man who only looked out for himself. He decided it was better for us to be apart, but I tried for years to get back to you. It was only after . . . Colton saved me from the nightmare I was trapped in that I was able to locate you. I should’ve tried harder, but I wouldn’t be any good to you dead.”
“He would've killed his own daughter?” she asked, and it seemed she was struggling with the concept of death over dishonor.
“I don’t know how much Devlin told you about our father, but he wasn’t a good man. He worked for some of the worst people in the country, and if it meant killing his daughter or selling his son to keep himself in power with them, he would do it.”
“And where is he now?” she inquired, and I hesitated before answering.
“He’s been dead about four or so years now. He can’t hurt any of us ever again.”
She stood and took my hands into hers as she replied, “Good.”
