Page 22 of Freeing Hawk
My brain instantly found that one word to be loaded. For a moment I said nothing, then I smiled, poured her some coffee and set the mug in front of her. She locked eyes with me and just before she sipped, Sasha Bracken smirked at me.
My heart did a strange little flip, one that was new to me.
I liked it.
“So.” I turned to get myself coffee. “What can I do for you? I thought you were working with your friend and Nikau.”
“I am. I just—you know Nikau better than I do. It would be a little strange being around him alone.”
“He’s not that kind of man. You’d be perfectly safe.”
“What kind of—oh! No. I didn’t think he’d be inappropriate. And even if he tried anything, I can handle myself. I just figured you could help me navigate the whole Engine-O-Con thing.”
I took a drink from my coffee after dumping in some milk and a few cubes of sugar. “When are you meeting with Nik?”
“Today.” She replied on an exhaled breath. “The convention starts today so I figure we should go there. I’m trying not to look like a cop. What do you think?”
I arched a brow.
She scoffed.
“So, put some clothes on, and let’s go.” She lifted her mug again.
I looked down at my bare chest then shook my head. After another swallow from my coffee, I headed up the stairs to my bedroom. While I changed, Tiberius’ footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor. He entered the room and hopped onto the bed. I knew when I returned there would be a large circle on the sheet made from a damp dog.
“Tiberius.” I moaned.
He lifted his head to look at me then cuddled into the bed again.
“You’re not spoiled at all.” I muttered and grabbed my wallet and cell. I kissed his head and left him. We took my car and soon we were zooming back toward Los Angeles.
“Tell me about Kingston.” I told her.
“Well.” Hawk dragged her palms along her thighs. “He’s a good man. Good cop. Friend—that’s why I’m so turned around about all this. I thought we told each other everything. I could talk to him about anything—work, private life, everything.”
“You’re hurt he didn’t come to you with this.”
“I don’t even know whatthisis.” She exhaled loudly. “I’m not sure how I feel, and I have nothing to go on but this stupid poster with an Asian language on the back. I was talking to a cop back home and he says it’s Japanese. That Korea is more blockie.”
“Blockie?”
“Yeah. That’s the word he used. So, I went looking and it is Japanese.”
“Does Kingston speak Japanese?”
“Not unless that’s another secret he’s kept from me.” She replied. “As far as I know, no. I swear to god I’m going to kick his ass.”
“Okay, let’s go over Kingston.” I told her. “He’s a good man, good cop—I’m going to assume he’s responsible. You said he has a baby on the way and a cop’s salary isn’t enough for anything.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying maybe he picked up extra work somewhere.” I stressed. “I have friends who work the job and then on their days off or at nights put in hours as bouncers, private investigators—hell, security at Dodger Stadium.”
She seemed thoughtful.
“If Kingston had a baby coming, finances would be a worry.” I stressed.
“Shit.” She muttered. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
