Page 1 of Freeing Hawk
Chapter 1
Hawk
The flight was only three hours. But I was never a fan of flying—long haul or otherwise. Even in the military, being in a plane made me jumpy.
I stretched my back as I entered the underground parking lot at the airport to find my truck, all the while debating if I should nap before driving home. Anywhere I put my head down that night, I’d pass out.
My visit with Aisha “Eris” Carrick and Ghoul left me fulfilled and happy. My friend was pregnant, and I wanted to make sure she had everything. With Eris being my best friend, I wanted to be there for every moment I could—even though I lived so far away from her.
Sure, Ghoul was a good man to her, but there were certain things a woman needed from another woman.
Once I arrived home, I washed my hands, put away my gun and shield then placed a call to Eris. Ghoul picked up and after small talk, he asked me to hold.
“Goddess.” He called.
I smiled. I remember the first time I heard him call her that. While in the military they’d given her the name Eris—Greek goddess of strife and discord. On special missions, Eris knew ways of making the enemy suffer.
I smiled the day they dubbed her with the name—she’d earned it. In her personal life, Eris loved fiercely, but if anyone messed with the people she cared for, she had ways of making them miserable.
The nickname was fitting. I supposed Ghoul saw the upside to all that.
The goddess behind the name.
“Hello?” Eris answered.
“Hey.” I cleared my throat. “I wanted to let you guys know I survived my flight back.”
“I remember how you hate flying.” Eris teased. “Maybe it’s because of the bumps and shakes of the carriers.”
“Or maybe it was because I knew at the end of those flights, I’d have to jump out of them.” I groaned.
“Could be.” Eris mused softly. “It was good seeing you, Hawk. Cam thinks you’re the greatest person ever.”
“Aside from uncle monster, of course.”
“Of course. That’s a given.” Eris laughed. “I don’t think anyone could be cooler than uncle monster in her eyes—well, Dude comes a close second.”
“Of course.” I intoned then giggled. “I’m so glad she has so much love around her. It can’t be easy losing Tin.”
“I hear that.” Eris sighed. “She went and visited his grave this morning with Patrick.”
“Patrick—are those two dating?”
Eris moaned. “Not yet. But it’s only a matter of time.”
“I’m going to get some sleep.” I told her. “After a shower, maybe a pizza and a couple glasses of wine or maybe this occasion calls for beer.”
“Priorities.” Eris joked.
“Right.” I giggled.
We chatted for a little while longer before hanging up. Since I had the phone in my hand, I ordered a pizza, set the cell to charge then went wandering into the kitchen for alcohol. I debated between beer and wine, but it wasn’t a very long one. I figured wine would cause less of a hangover the next morning.
I went through two glasses before pizza arrived. After a quick shower, I wrapped a towel around my body, sat in the kitchen watching television and eating. The world was a messed-up place, and it seemed no matter how many criminals my team and I put away, they were still way too many walking around.
I switched the channel to a station playing the 1935 version ofA Christmas Carol. It wasn’t anywhere near Christmas, but I loved the movie.
I paid a few bills, went through my emails then climb into bed around one in the morning. Almost instantly, I fell asleep and the nightmares made an appearance.
