“And you know all about that, right? You’re completely cut off from regular society. You live by a different set of rules.”
“Which is why I know what I’m talking about. The world we live in is a façade. It’s a nice farce perpetuated by those in power. All the politically correct behavior and rule following doesn’t make life any sager or more predictable.”
“So we should all live by the seat of our pants and do what we want?”
Hawk shook his head. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t know their ass from a hole in the ground? We have organization and ways of doing thing. Respect that’s given is returned, and we live how we see fit. You can’t get better than that. I have a dedicated group of people all working toward the same goal. The government can’t even say that.”
“You present a pretty picture—”
“No, I speak the truth.”
Silence filled the car.
“All I’m asking you to do is open your mind. This experience doesn’t have to be as bad as you’re making it out to be. It’ll be easier on both of us.”
“You’re right. I’ll try.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” he said as he scouted the area and moved from the car. The next twenty minutes were tense as they rushed through her place, gathering clothes, unplugging machines, and removing spoilable food. He breathed a sigh of relief when they made it out unscathed. They went to a branch of her bank she’d never been to before and returned to the compound. He took her to a cabin that housed their regular girls and knocked.
Fancy opened the door with a smile.
“Hey, Hawk, you here to visit?” she purred suggestively.
“Not today, doll. I brought that friend of mine I told you about,” he said.
“Ah, welcome, Mi casa es su casa,” Fancy said opening the door to reveal women in various stages of dress.
“I’ll be back later to get you,” he said.
Hilary’s mouth formed a perfect O, and her eyes dilated. He bit back a chuckle as he gently nudged her inside and went to hunt up some brothers. One thing about the complex, there was always something going on.
The look on Hilary’s face when he’d dropped her off with the questionable women of Mayhem had been priceless. Hilary wasn’t a snob, per se, but she had a sheltered feel about her. Clearly her parents had drilled into her head what a lady did and didn’t do. Though he could tell she’d always straddled the fence on being proper. She had a streak in her as wild as the hair on her head. He was amused and disturbed by how much time he was spending thinking about her.
He discovered Tiny in the game room, engrossed in a game of a pool with Casanova. Tiny glanced up as Hawk walked in and smirked.
“I wasn’t sure you’d make it back alive.”
“Ha ha. Dick. We have an understanding,” Hawk said.
“How’d you manage that?” Tiny said.
Hawk walked over to stand beside him, leaning back against the wall as Casanova lined up another shot and sank two more balls.
“Told her the truth. We were trying to save her life. She’s not stupid; she understands this is how it has to be and why. Now I’m not naïve enough to think there won’t be bumps in the road.”
“Try trenches,” Tiny said.
“You’re having way too much fun with this shit, you know that?” Hawk said.
“This is the longest I’ve seen you with a woman. Can’t help it if I’m amused it’s one I know will give you hell. You’ve grown used to being the one to give orders. The change of pace will be amusing. Let’s face it; I can u
se a little comedic relief in my life about now.”
“You’re all heart,” Hawk drawled.
“Where is the lucky lady who gets to be stuck with your grumpy ass?” Tiny said.
“Off getting a crash course with Fancy and her crew about how to be a house mouse.”