Hawk's Choice (Infernal Sons MC Book 3)

by Carol Dawn

  Tossing my head back, I release a full belly laugh.

  Hawk: Booger victory dance?

  My Sweet Boy: Don’t ask Hawk. Just hope and pray that you never have to experience it. Anyway, I’m going to go eat.

  Another message comes in before I finish reading the last.

  My Sweet Boy: Hey Hawk!

  Hawk: Yes, sweet boy!

  My Sweet Boy: I love you!

  Hawk: I love you, too, baby. So, fucking much!

  Chapter Seventeen

  Slim

  I have got to get a job. I’m getting really tired of being stuck in this cabin every single freaking day. There’s been no movement from my uncle and Hawk said Josh didn’t catch anything on the video that I spent hours recording.

  We still don’t know who William is or what he looks like but if they were going to do something, they would have already done it.

  Right?

  “I’m telling you, Bella,” I say, pushing speaker on my phone. “If I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to go insane.”

  “Maybe Ink will let you work at the shop,” she suggests. “Or you can ask Bear if he needs help over at the bar.”

  “I’m going to talk to Hawk about it tonight. But I think you’re right.”

  “Besides,” she continues. “If you’re working at one of the club’s business’s, there’s going to be members there who can protect you if that man ever shows up.”

  She’s right again. I sure hope Hawk doesn’t give me a hard time over it, though.

  “I know you’re worried about Hawk, but I think knowing that someone will be there with you will help him feel comfortable with it.”

  “ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT!” Hawk yells hours later. “You are not working at a place where either of those men could walk in at any minute.”

  I take a deep breath, trying to control my anger. Who the hell does he think he is?

  “William could walk right up to the bar, ask for a drink and you wouldn’t even fucking know that he’s plotting your death.”

  “Be reasonable, Hawk,” I say, calmly. One of us must stay calm. “I’ll be in a building with members of the club. I’ll stay behind the counter and won’t leave to go anywhere until you come and pick me up. I need to get out of this cabin before I lose my mind.”

  “Come to the clubhouse with me every day,” he suggests.

  “No, I’m not going to the clubhouse just so I can sit my ass down and chat with people all day. I need to do something productive. I need to feel like I’m doing something with my life. I think working at the bar is a great idea,” I walk over and sit on my grumpy man’s lap. “I need to make my own money. I don’t like using my parent’s money. I think knowing that my uncle is willing to kill me to get it kind of turned me off of ever wanting to use it.”

  “You don’t need money, baby,” he says, putting his nose against my neck.

  “I have enough money to take care of you.”

  “Please, Hawk,” I’m not above begging. “I need this. I know you can take care of me. I know we don’t need the money. But my sanity needs this.”

  We spend roughly five minutes in silence while Hawk contemplates my future.

  “Fine,” he eventually says. “But you cannot leave the building unless I am there to escort you. Not even to take out the trash.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze.

  “Thank you, honey,” I say. “You do realize that I was going to do it rather you liked it or not, right?”

  Chuckling, he says, “Yeah, I know. Bear already texted me and said you can start next week. I had to try and talk you out of it.”

  “I’ll be fine, Hawk,” I reassure him. “Nothing will happen to me.”

  “It better fucking not,” he growls.

  “Hawk, show me how much I mean to you,” I say, kissing down his neck.

  With a growl, he stands up and rushes us to our room.

  He then proceeds to show me how much I mean to him. Turns out, slow passionate lovemaking is just as good, if not better, than hard passionate sex.

  ***

  Hawk went to the club early today to help Trigger with some broken-down bike. I have been demanded not to leave the cabin. Even if it’s to walk to Bear and Rose’s house.

  Bossy ass man.

  I don’t mind, though. I know he’s just trying to protect me. I can at least make his job a little easier by doing as he asks.

  However, he isn’t the only paranoid man in this house. I can’t stop checking my uncle’s last location. It says he’s been in the same spot for days now. He’s either sick and stuck at home or forgot his phone when he left.

  I mentioned it to Hawk. He told me not to worry too much about it, but I could tell that it really bothered him. I’m going to have to go all-in and try to figure out what’s happening.

  I look up the number and hit call.

  “Taylor lumber,” a man greets.

  “Hi, I was wondering if I could request one of your workers to fix my building?”

  “Sure can,” the man says. “Just need his name so I can check his schedule.”

  “It’s Steven Owen,” I say, giving my uncle's name.

  “Give me just a minute,” he mumbles.

  I can hear the clicking of keys as he searches the schedule.

  “It appears that Mr. Owen is on vacation and won’t be available for a couple of weeks. I can add you onto his schedule at his next available time if you like.”

  I’m instantly lightheaded. I knew something was sketchy about his GPS not moving for so long.

  “Hello?”

  “Oh, Uhm,” I mutter. “No, thanks. I can call back in a couple of weeks. It’s a pretty massive project. I’ll most likely need to talk to him personally about the details.”

  “No problem, sir. Just give us a call back in two weeks.”

  The call disconnects and I fall to my knees.

  Maybe I’m having a panic attack for no reason. Maybe he just hasn’t gone back to work after going to his buddy’s wedding.

  Whatever it is, I need to figure it out after I calm down. I lean down and press my forehead against my knees.

  Just breathe, Phoenix.

  I close my eyes and try to focus on my breathing only to be interrupted by my phone buzzing on the floor nearby.

  I grab it and blindly answer it.

  “What’s wrong?” is yelled. “Baby, answer me. What the fuck is wrong?”

  “Hawk?”

  “I’m coming home.”

  “No,” I say, finally opening my eyes. “I was just having a panic attack. I’m fine and I’ll tell you all about it when you get home.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I glance up at the camera by the front door and send as much of my love through my smile as I can.

  “I promise, honey, I’m fine now. Hearing your voice actually helped in a massive way.”

  “God, I love you,” he whispers so low that I almost didn’t hear it. He must have said it for himself. “You sure you don’t need me to come home?” he asks, louder. “I think Rose is home today, I can see if she will come over and stay with you.”

  “Honestly, Hawk. I’m okay. I’ll see you when you get home.” I hang up before he has a chance to speak.

  Knowing he’s watching, I blow a kiss to the camera. I can’t see him, but I can feel his smile from here.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Hawk

  Phoenix didn’t just have a panic attack for no reason. The man think’s things through profusely before acting. So, something abrupt must have happened to have thrown him into one.

  I keep checking the camera every thirty minutes to make sure he’s fine. I called and told him I would be a little late coming home tonight because I have a run to do with Trig.

  Luckily, he understands how club dynamics work.

  “You ready?” Trigger asks.

  I give one last glance at the camera and see Phoenix is sleeping on the couch.

 
“I really don’t need you to tag along, Hawk,” Trigger says. “I can handle this on my own.”

  I squeeze his shoulder, ignoring his glare at my touch. “You know the rules, Trig. No one rides alone during a run. Even if it is just to pick up a donation. We’ll be riding through another club’s territory. We have their permission, but you can never be too careful.”

  I know everything I say is going in one ear and out the other. If Trig decided to ride through another club’s territory, he would do so. With or without their permission.

  Sometimes I think the man has a death wish.

  “Let’s ride,” is all he says before turning and walking away.

  Two hours later, we have the package and about ready to ride home. I want to check the camera’s one last time before heading out.

  Pulling up the app on my phone, I wait. And wait.

  And fucking wait.

  It won’t load.

  I have no service out here.

  “Trig,” I say, still staring at my phone. “Do you ever get those feelings where you just know something is about to happen, but you have no idea what?”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “How do you feel about those?”

  He’s silent for a minute.

  “Well,” he finally says. “Sometimes they’re just your mind worrying too much. But, if you feel it deep in your bones that something isn’t right, then trust it, man. I didn’t trust that feeling one time in my life and it got my sister dead.”

  Looking over at Trigger I can see a haunted look trying to break free.

  “Something isn’t right,” I tell him. “I have no idea what it is, but everything in me is rushing to get back home to Phoenix.”

  “Then let’s do this, brother,” Trig says without hesitation.

  We start our bikes and race to get back to Lebanon.

  Somethings wrong with Phoenix. I can feel it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  (Two hours earlier)

  Slim

  I’m too afraid to sleep in my room tonight. I can hear what’s happening better outside if I’m in the living room.

  Call me paranoid. But I won’t rest easy until Hawk’s home.

  Truth be told, when he offered to come home earlier, I wanted him to. I wanted him to come home, wrap me in his arms and protect me from the evils of the world. But I also knew that it was just a fantasy. I need to face my fears. I can’t let Hawk hide me from the world simply because I have to look over my shoulder every time I leave the house.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  Looking at my watch, I see that it’s nine at night. Hawk won’t be back for several hours, so he must have sent Rose over.

  Rushing to the door, I swing it open.

  “Hey Ro…” I stop in my tracks when I see the person, who is clearly not Rose, standing on the porch. “Hulk, what are you doing here? I thought you we’re out of town today?”

  “Hello, Mr. Allington.” I don’t correct him. I don’t mind being thought of as Hawk’s husband. “Is your…did you call me Hulk?”

  Laughing, I usher him inside. “yeah,” I admit, shutting the door. “You’re a really big dude and I could never remember your name. So, I named you after your TV twin.”

  “Hmmm,” he says, rubbing his chin. “I don’t think I mind that.”

  “What can I help you with?”

  “One of your cameras stopped working,” he tells me. “We tried to call the number on file, but it kept going to voicemail. My flight was delayed until morning, so I offered to stop by and fix it before I headed home.”

  “Oh, of course,” I say. “Which one is it?”

  “The back door. It won’t take me but a few minutes.”

  He places his paperwork on the counter and pulls down the camera.

  “So, what is your name?” I ask. “I think you told me once, but I can’t seem to remember.”

  “It’s Bill,” he says, pulling the back of the camera off and hooking it up to his laptop. “But I think I prefer Hulk.”

  “It does suit you better. Bill is such an old person’s name.”

  He laughs but continues working on the broken camera.

  “How did you know the camera stopped working?” I ask. “You don’t have someone who watches them, do you?”

  Talk about embarrassing.

  “Oh Lord, no,” he says, completely serious. “It’s against company policy to even turn the screens on without the client’s consent. The moment the camera stopped working a signal was sent back to the office. We usually call first, but as I said, we couldn’t get ahold of anyone. I figured you had the camera for a reason and wanted to make sure that it was up and working.”

  “Well, I definitely appreciate it,” I tell him. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No thank you, I won’t be much longer.”

  I leave him to his work and clean up around the house. I notice the paperwork that he left on the counter. I grab a pen and find where I can add my number to the file.

  I find the space and jot my number down. When I see Hawk’s signature at the bottom of the page, I smile. He has such clean handwriting.

  Then I see the other signature and my lungs drop.

  William Young.

  Bill.

  Bill is a nickname for William, right?

  Oh god! It can’t be a coincidence.

  “Hey Hulk,” I manage to say around my tight throat.

  “Yeah,” he yells from the kitchen.

  “Did they ever tell you why your plane was delayed?”

  “Uhm, yeah,” he doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. “Something about one of the engines fan blades not working properly.”

  “Damn,” I say. My pulse is racing and I’m having a hard time staying focused.

  “All done,” he says.

  I walk back into the kitchen and watch as he packs his things.

  “It was just a loose wire,” he says. “Should be fine now.”

  “Thank you. I hope you’re able to catch your next flight.”

  I walk behind him until he’s outside. When he reaches his truck, he stops and turns around.

  “What gave me away?” he asks.

  “I’m sorry?”

  I’m standing on the porch and take a small step back toward the door.

  “Come now, Mr. Owen. Tell me what gave me away?”

  I finally reach the inside of the house and have my hand on the door handle.

  “Was it the flight details?”

  “No,” I admit. “It was your signature.”

  “How do you know my name?” He slowly walks toward the porch.

  “I heard my uncle say your first name over the phone. I didn’t know anything else.”

  A sinister smile spreads across his face.

  “Yeah? Nice detective skills, rabbit.”

  I slam and lock the door. Rushing to the keypad, I quickly enter the security code.

  What did I do with my phone?

  I run through the house and search every room.

  Where the fuck is my phone?

  Landline. Both Hawk and Bear have landlines in case a storm blows through and cuts the electric off.

  I rush to the living room, grab the phone, and quickly dial Hawk.

  “This is Hawk, you know what to do.”

  Beep.

  “Hawk, Oh God, it’s him. It the Hulk. He’s Bill. And Bill means William. He’s here.”

  The door flies open causing the security alarm to go off. He types in something on the keypad and smirks in my direction.

  “I have your security code, remember? And your phone. I’ve turned off all cameras and already called the office letting them know everything was fine. That I just need to reset the system.”

  I still have the phone in my hand when William rushes toward me.

  “I love you, Logan,” I quickly say into the phone. “I love you with everything I am. Please, don’t let this eat you alive. Please, love again. I love you,” I end with a whisper just
as the phone beeps.

  I know that it’s pointless, but I fight. I fight this monster with everything I have.

  He may be three times my size, but if he wants to kill me, he’s going to have to work for it.

  I’m thrown over his shoulder, but I don’t just hang there. I kick, punch and bite every place I can reach. That is until I’m thrown into the trunk of a car and closed inside.

  “He’s going to kill you,” I yell. “They are all going to take turns skinning you alive while my uncle watches. Then they’re going to do the same thing to him.”

  “They can try,” William says. “But they will fail.”

  Tears are pouring down my face as I feel around for the release latch that is supposed to be inside this trunk.

  It’s been removed.

  The car shakes as William gets in the front seat. Then we’re moving.

  This is it. I’m going to die. Hawk is going to blame himself and will never let go of a guilt he doesn’t deserve.

  I can’t let that happen. So, I turn off Phoenix, and I think like Slim.

  What would Slim do?

  I need to find a weapon.

  I feel along the car but can’t feel anything lethal enough. I do find a small handle that is hiding something underneath me. I wiggle my way to the side until I can lift the cover. A tire. I keep feeling until I land on something metal.

  Bingo. A tire jack handle.

  You might be bigger than me, Hulk, but I’m small and can move faster.

  Bring it the fuck on.

  That’s when I see something shimmer. Looking down at what caused the light, a big smile spreads across my face.

  I may be in for a world of pain when William pulls me out of this trunk. But I don’t care. Hawk and the Sons will find me.

  “I know they’ll find me.” I glance down at my bracelet.

  Dead or alive, they’ll find me. Then, no matter the outcome, they’ll exact my revenge.

  I know Hawk will remember the tracking chip in my bracelet.