Page 24 of Emily's Essence

“Babe, answer me.”

“W … what did you say?” she asked.

“Does me touching you make you feel good?”

She closed her eyes and nodded.

“Would you like me to touch you more?”

“Please don’t play with me, Hawk.” She couldn’t help the tear that ran down her face or the emotion in her voice.

He released her, and she had to grab onto the doorjamb to steady herself.

“You’re right. I need to talk to Striker first.”

She turned and looked at him. “Or I could just leave.”

He shrugged. She turned and ran out the door, ignoring his call.

Emily wrapped her arms around her as a brisk wind blew through the trees between the big house and Hawk’s. It felt like the temperature had lowered several degrees in the short time she was in the house. She guessed most of it was the interaction she’d just had with Hawk and would think about it more when she got to her room.

She heard a sound behind her and turned. The piece of branch that swung at her hit her in the head and made her crash to the ground. She blinked a few times and then felt the veil of darkness inducing her to pass out. The last thing she heard was a voice.

“That’s what you deserve, you bitch. Go away. Listen to Hawk. No one wants you here.”

That was it before she fell unconscious.

No one saw the tears that escaped her eyes and ran down her cheeks into the dirt.

Chapter Eleven

Hawk was pissed at himself. He hadn’t meant to push her and didn’t know what he expected from her. He knew part of it was he wanted her to admit she wanted him. Even though he already knew it because she was so easy to read.

This was the first time in his life he wanted something, or in this case someone, more than anything, and he was terrified something would happen to take it away. He knew that didn’t make sense, especially when he goaded her and pretty much admitted to her that he didn’t want her there. That’s why he was so fucked up in the head.

He pulled his phone from his pocket when it rang. “Yeah.”

Striker laughed. “Is Emily coming back here tonight, or did you finally get your head out of your ass?”

Hawk looked at the microwave clock. He’d been standing there deep in thought for the last ten minutes. “She should have been there already. Is she outside talking to someone?”

“Let me check and call you back.”

Hawk walked out into the backyard and looked toward the big house. The dark shadows made the trees look bigger, everything darker, and it would be harder to see where you were going. He could vaguely see the yard lights through the trees. It was far enough for some privacy but close enough to walk to.

His phone rang again.

“She’s not here. Are you sure she’s not talking to some of your men?” Striker asked.

“Hold on.” He whistled, getting a few of his guys’ attention. “Have any of you seen Emily?”

“No, Boss.”

Fuck. “They said no.”

“I’ll send out a search party. Kristina is freaking out. The last time a woman went out on her own, she was brought back dead.”

“Are you talking about Sally?”

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