Hawk Wild (Lost Boys MC Book 2)

by Janice M. Whiteaker

  “King.”

  I nod. “King.”

  Her hand grabs for the bat again. Like she’s going to hunt down her best friend’s scum daddy and beat him to death herself.

  I reach and slide it away before Shelly can get her hands on it. “King’s out. He made bail.”

  “Does Kerri know?” Her tone is pure ice. A level of female aggression I’ve never seen before.

  I lift my shoulders. “That’s up to Evan.” I hold my hands out. “Come here, Kitten.”

  Shelly ignores me, or maybe she doesn’t hear me at all. “He wants to hurt everyone doesn’t he?”

  I knew she would put it all together. I didn’t expect her to do it as fast as she is though. I thought I would be able to feed her a little at a time, let it digest, then give her a little more.

  But Shelly’s off and running. Working through all the bits and pieces like she’s starving. “He can blame everything on you guys. Tell them it was you who did those things. That you were doing it behind his back.”

  She stands still for a minute, eyes losing focus. They snap back in an instant. “That’s how he got out.” Shelly turns to me. “King had money hidden and got The Horsemen to get it for him.” She drops down to the couch as the weight of it all crashes down. “Shit.”

  “Come here.” I don’t wait to see if she hears me this time. I reach out and grab her and pull her onto my lap. “Everything’s going to be okay.” I tuck her in close and breathe in the scent of her, letting it relax my own agitation.

  Fuckin’ King.

  I just spent the past three hours I had to take away from her being ready to kill the fucker. Hell, I was ready to kill him this morning when I first found out he made bail. That was before I knew the extent of King’s new game.

  “Do you think he will try to hurt Kerri?” Shelly’s voice is smaller than I’ve ever heard it. Softer.

  I knew that was what would scare her. Knew she wouldn’t be scared for herself.

  I close my eyes and hold her against me. “I wish I could tell you I didn’t.” I let one hand rest against the side of her neck, cradling her head where it lays against my chest. “But I can guarantee you King won’t get anywhere near Kerri.”

  Tracker would die before he let King at Kerri. Hell, most of us would.

  But Kerri’s not the only one we will do whatever it takes to protect.

  At least this time we know what we’re really fighting.

  King.

  ****

  “KITTEN.” I PUSH the hair off Shelly’s face and try again to wake her up.

  She stirs just a little. I love that she’s sleeping so hard. Take no small amount of pride in knowing I’m the reason.

  Did my best to make everything up to her last night. Spent more than a little time making sure she remembered my name.

  Her lids slowly lift, mahogany eyes lazily looking at me in the still-dark bedroom. She smiles. “Hey.”

  “I gotta work.” I lean in to press a kiss against her forehead. I don’t want her thinking I’m bailing on her again, but there’s no way out of this. “Cook and Preacher are going to be around today to make sure everything’s okay until I get back.” I lean in again, this time to kiss her lips. “Don’t give them too much shit. Save it all for me.”

  She smiles against my lips as I kiss her again.

  It’s harder than I imagined to leave this morning. I trust Cook and Preacher. I know they will protect Shelly as well as I would.

  But I just don’t want to leave her.

  It irritates that tiny spot in my ribs. Digging it in a little deeper. Adding another worry to the load I’m already carrying.

  Women make men weak. I’ve seen it my whole life.

  Seen men fight, steal, beg.

  Murder.

  All because of women.

  Nothing good comes from loving a woman. I know that.

  But.

  Fuck it’s hard not to want to do it anyway.

  Especially this one.

  I give her one last kiss on the head. “See you after work, Kitten.” I stand and start to go but Shelly catches my hand and pulls me back.

  She lifts my palm to rest it against her cheek. Her gaze is still sleepy as she looks up at me. “Be careful.”

  The spot in my ribs wilts just a little bit, shrinking back at the concern in her voice.

  I know I’m not wrong. I know women can make a man weak. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Lost a mother and a father because of it.

  But maybe I’m not always right either.

  “I will.”

  She turns to press a kiss to the center of my palm as her eyes drift back closed. I stand for a minute longer watching her.

  If there’s a woman who could be different it’s this one. I know she’s wild. Love that she is.

  But she’s sweet too. I’ve spent every minute since I found out about King worrying about her.

  Never expecting she might be worried about me too.

  I rub at the conflicting emotions in my chest as I make myself walk down the hall. I stop to scratch Hank before I go. “You protect our girl today, okay?”

  His lips flap as he blows out a grumbly breath.

  At least I got to see how Hank deals with uninvited guests last night. I’m gonna say, I’d have walked the fuck away hearing that sound on the other side of the door.

  I pull that same door open to find Cook’s car in the driveway beside mine. He’s propped against it, scrolling through his phone.

  “Morning.”

  He glances up, his lips pressed into a thin line. “You know that prick already tried to take out one of my delivery trucks?” One tattooed finger stabs at the screen. “Cut one of the fuckin’ tires.” He shoves the phone in the pocket of his ripped jeans. “This is only the beginning.” He straightens. “It’s gonna be a shit show.”

  “You sure it was him?” I want to think it was unrelated. Hate that it might already be starting.

  The war.

  “Has to be. Who the fuck slashes a produce truck’s tires?” Cook wipes a hand down his face. “I swear to God if he fucks up my business I’ll—”

  “You’ll have to get in line.” I shove my work bag into the passenger seat of my two-door Mustang. “And it’s real fucking long already.”

  Cook blows out a breath. “I think we might need to meet more than once a week to deal with this shit.”

  It’s not that I don’t want to meet more than once a week.

  I just don’t want to be away from Shelly.

  “I’ll talk to everyone else and see what we can come up with.” I nod to the small single-story where my girl is sleeping safe and sound. “You got this?”

  Cook stands a little straighter. “No one’s getting near her.”

  “I know.” I give Cook a nod. “Appreciate it.”

  “You’re not the only one who would lose their shit if something happened to her, man. I’m not trying to be funny, but she’s been one of ours longer than she’s been yours.”

  That’s not true.

  I knew Shelly was mine the first night I met her. Just didn’t know if I had the balls to be hers.

  Still scared the rest of the guys off her. Couldn’t stand the thought of one of them touching her.

  But it seems like she managed to crawl under their skin anyway.

  Imagine that.

  I climb in my car and start the engine. If anyone wondered when I left they’d know now. It’s not quiet.

  I back down the driveway and out into the street. At some point Shelly will get tired of everyone sitting in her driveway and invite them in. That means when I get home there will be another man alone with her.

  And I have to not hurt him.

  I take a deep breath, squeezing the steering wheel. I can do this.

  I am stronger than my old man.

  And Shelly is nothing like my mother.

  11

  I OPEN THE door.

  There’s a man in my driveway.

  Nope
. Two men. There’s two men in my driveway.

  And they’re both staring at me.

  I lift one hand in a wave. “Hey.”

  This is more awkward than I imagined. I thought maybe now that Hawk was clearly over what I did they would soften a little toward me.

  But Preacher and Cook don’t look any softer. If anything they look even more standoffish toward me.

  Neither waves back. Neither smiles.

  I thought at one point that Shaun might have told them all to stay away from me because he wanted me.

  But now he has me.

  And they’re still all acting weird, so they must just not like me.

  At least Cook turns to face me. “You need something?”

  He’s the most colorful of the bunch. Literally. Guy’s covered in a freaking rainbow of tattoos. Everything from a Frankenstein head on his leg to a hot dog on his forearm.

  No joke. A hot dog.

  He’s also got a taco on his bicep and it’s a big taco since he’s not a small guy. Not as big as Hawk, but no one’s as big as Hawk.

  “I’m going to go see Kerri.” I step out the door and lock it behind me before heading to my car.

  Cook shakes his head at me.

  “What?”

  “You know what.”

  I take a deep breath. I can make things better with these guys. I want to. I want them to see I’m not as awful as they all think. “I don’t know what. Why don’t you tell me?”

  It only comes out a little snarky which is good since I really wanted to be a total bitch about it.

  But I won’t pat myself on the back just yet.

  Cook fishes around in the pocket of his low-slung jeans. “Come on.” He turns to a low-set pick up with tinted windows. Its lime green paint job might as well be a target. I turn to my small sedan.

  “Shouldn’t we take my car? It’s less...” I squint at the emblem plastered on each door of the truck. It’s a Frankenstein head with lettering around it. “Unmistakable.”

  Cook looks insulted. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “I’m not saying I don’t like the truck. I’m just saying everyone has to know it’s yours and I thought I was supposed to be sort of flying under the radar until this blows over.” I add a smile at the end. That makes me look nice, right?

  The insulted look on Cook’s face only intensifies. “No one’s going to hurt you if you’re with me. I promise you that.”

  It sounds a little cocky. Like Cook has no doubt in his ability to keep me safe. Even in a neon green truck that says—

  Frankenfood

  Monster mash-ups that will bring your taste buds to life.

  Yeah. No one’s going to miss me in that.

  “Don’t worry.” Cook comes closer but doesn’t touch me. Like he’s scared I might bite him. “I’ll take you to Kerri’s. It will be just fine.”

  He opens the passenger door and waits while I climb in before shutting it behind me. “Buckle up.”

  Seriously?

  I click my seat belt into place while Cook pauses to say something to Preacher before climbing in beside me. He locks his own belt into place and starts the truck.

  Death metal immediately blares from the speakers.

  That makes more sense than him being concerned about seat belt laws.

  Cook reaches out and turns the music all the way down. “Sorry. I was having a rough morning.”

  I lick my lips. Can I jump on this opportunity to be friendly?

  I’m going to.

  “What happened?”

  He barely stiffens. “Just some issues with a delivery.”

  “For your restaurant?” That has to be what Frankenfood is but I have no idea where it’s located. To be fair this is the first time Cook’s ever talked to me.

  “Food trucks.” He glances my way, giving me a quick flash of a grin before yanking his eyes back to the road. “I’ve got five of them.”

  “No shit?”

  His grin is back and gone again. “No shit.”

  “What kind of food do you make?” I can’t help but be excited for him. I know the hell these guys went through with King. They deserve to live life for themselves now and I’m happy Cook is getting that.

  I’m also happy he’s actually talking to me instead of ignoring me like usual.

  Then he scoots a little farther from me, practically pressing his body against the door. I’m pretty sure he’s shutting me down but then he starts talking again.

  “All kinds. It’s fusion. Combinations of different cuisines.”

  That makes sense. “Like Tex-Mex?”

  “Yeah.” That grin flashes again. “But I try to be more interesting than that.”

  “Maybe I can come to one.”

  I lay it out there. An olive branch of sorts.

  His eyes are glued to the road. “You and Hawk can come anytime you want.”

  Me and Hawk.

  So he’s only okay with me coming to his business if I’m with Hawk. I shouldn’t be greedy. I should just be glad Cook’s willing to babysit me considering his obvious lingering dislike of me.

  We pull up behind Kerri’s apartment.

  Kerri and Evan’s apartment.

  Before Cook can even put the truck in park the door opens, but instead of Kerri standing there, it’s Evan.

  And he doesn’t look happy.

  “Thank you.” I open the door and climb out.

  “Shelly.”

  Cook’s voice stops me. I turn and look back inside the cab of the truck.

  “Be careful.”

  “I will.” I shut the door and walk toward where Evan is standing in the doorway. Cook’s truck doesn’t leave like I expect it to. Instead Evan goes outside, shutting the door behind him.

  But I don’t have time to worry about what sort of shit they’re talking about me. Kerri’s sitting on the couch. No make-up. Hair a mess. Still in her pajamas.

  I drop my purse on the table beside the door as I toe off my shoes. “Well this sucks a bag of dicks, doesn’t it?” I go plop down on the sofa beside her.

  “I can’t fucking believe they let him out.” She doesn’t look devastated. If anything Kerri looks pissed as hell.

  Not a good thing considering Kerri burns shit down when she’s pissed.

  “How’s your mom?” As worried as I am about Kerri, I’m even more concerned about Jill. Kerri can hold her own with her dad. She proved the hell out of that six months ago.

  But Jill is a whole different story.

  She’s come so far since King was put away and the thought of her backpedaling makes my heart break.

  Kerri blows out a breath then snaps her head my way. “I should have killed him when I had the chance. No one would have asked me any questions. It would have been self-defense.”

  She’s not kidding.

  And this is why we’re friends. Because I get it. I understand. My parents were nothing like King, but still managed to fuck me up just the same. I had to walk away. Leave them and most of my family behind because I didn’t fit into the space they thought I should occupy.

  And they let me go.

  Kerri’s situation is different. I don’t wish anything bad on my parents. They aren’t bad people.

  Just judgmental.

  But Kerri’s dad is bad.

  Really, really bad.

  He deserves to die.

  And I would help her hide the body.

  “Well.” I lean back into the couch. “I guess we could go find him and kill him now.” I pull out my wallet and start counting cash. “We have to go to a really small hardware store and pay cash for all the shit we need to deal with it.”

  Kerri flops to one side on the couch. “Don’t tempt me.”

  I know she’s not really going to kill King.

  Unless the opportunity presents itself again.

  If it does that pitiful excuse for a man better run like hell.

  “Where’s your mom at?”

  “Home. She’s got two of the guys
with her around the clock.” Kerri sits back up and swipes at her hair. “I think Drifter and Butch are there now.”

  “Is she upset?” I almost cringe waiting for the answer. If Jill’s already reverting to her old self then Kerri might not get the chance to kill King.

  I’ll do it for her.

  Kerri’s head tips to one side. “You know not as much as I expected.” She shrugs. “I think she’s just convinced herself this will all blow over and he’ll end up right back where he belongs.”

  “But he made bail, right?” King’s bail was set pretty high. Especially for a man who supposedly didn’t have shit of his own when his wife filed papers and locked all her shit down.

  “The Horsemen paid it.” Kerri wipes at her eyes. “This is such a shit show. How am I fucking here again?”

  “Lucky I guess.” I shove up off the couch and go to the bathroom and grab a brush and a hair elastic. When I come back in Evan’s inside the apartment, still looking just a happy as he did when I got here. I sit beside Kerri. “Turn sideways.”

  She shifts on the couch so I can reach her hair and I start working out the tangles. She was there for me when my parents put down the ultimatum that led to the demise of our relationship.

  It’s my turn to repay the favor.

  “There’s no way King’s not going back to jail.” I carefully work my way through her long, blonde hair. “And I would bet he’s got a fancy anklet that will keep him on a tight leash while he’s out.”

  I don’t say what we both know.

  Even if he wasn’t being monitored King would never do his own dirty work. He’s too much of a narcissist to risk putting himself in the middle of shit.

  Not if he can make someone else do it.

  “We don’t know why The Horsemen bailed him out.”

  I stop talking. Something occurs to me. I turn to Evan. “You think they bailed him out to kill him?”

  If what Hawk said was true then maybe The Horsemen didn’t bail King out thinking he could help them come back.

  Maybe they bailed him out to get revenge.

  Evan doesn’t say anything, just disappears down the hall with his phone already pressed to one ear.

  I sit up a little straighter.

  I might have just come up with something.