Page 27 of Emily's Essence

Alicia squeezed her hand.

“The person hit me with a branch, I think. I heard the person saying something after I was on the ground and before I passed out.”

“Did you recognize the voice?”

“No. It was distorted somehow,” Emily said.

“What did they say?” Kristina asked.

Emily cleared her throat and kept her gaze away from Hawk. She did want to ask him why he was there, but it would take too much effort. “They said I deserved to be hurt. They called me a bitch and told me to go away.”

Her gaze went to Hawk and then Alicia. “They said I should listen to Hawk and go away, that no one wants me here.”

All the women gasped and turned to face Hawk.

“Who was around when you said that?” Striker asked Hawk.

“I didn’t,” Hawk said.

“Yes, you did. You told me you were looking for an excuse to make me leave.”

The women in the room glared at him.

“I didn’t mean it,” Hawk said. He walked over and sat down next to her.

She stiffened when his hand lifted hers.

“I know I’ve been a jerk…” Hawk said.

“Ya think?” Willow said snarkily.

Emily saw the men scowl at the woman, but Willow didn’t care.

Striker went to the door and whistled. “Get Blood for me.”

They only had to wait a few minutes before Blood walked in. “What’s up, Boss?”

“Take your old lady out of here.”

“Does she need to be punished?” Blood asked in an excited tone and with a grin, slapping his hands together and rubbing them back and forth.

“Yes,” Hawk and a few others said simultaneously.

Willow held a hand out when he went toward her.

“Don’t you dare, you bastard.”

Blood just laughed gleefully, tossed her over his shoulder, and walked out as she yelled at him and pounded on his back.

The silence left behind helped ease Emily’s headache.

“Jesus, they really are perfect for each other,” Brick said.

Emily smiled.

Hawk squeezed her hand to get her attention. “We’ll talk about all this later. I still have a lot to learn, and I know I’ve fucked up a few times. I can tell you’re in pain, and I want you to lie down.”

“I agree,” Alicia said. She turned to Kristina. “Can you get a glass of water and another bag of peas for her forehead? I’ll get her up to her room.”

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