Hawk (Sex and Bullets 2)

His back stiffens and under the grime and blood, his face turns a sickly white. “Dunno what you mean.”

“The plan Storm told you wouldn’t work.”

He grabs the spoon for the tray and digs it into the stew. “Still dunno.”

Stubborn, I think, watching him as he forces spoonful after spoonful down, his eyes tracking something I can’t see. But I knew that already.

Hadn’t realized just how stubborn.

“Fine,” I finally say while he chews and swallows. “You don’t know anything about this plan Storm rejected. Also, you don’t want to talk to me, and you don’t want me here. I hear you loud and clear.”

And oops, bad choice of words, but too late.

He pauses, spoon in the bowl, and a muscle jumps in his bearded jaw. “That’s right.”

“So I’m just gonna be on my way.”

“Yeah. You should.”

I cock my head at him. “Unless you want to share this plan. And could use some help with it. You know, to avoid getting your head bashed in again. And your ribs kicked in.”

And the image shouldn’t make me catch my breath in sympathetic pain, but it does.

“All right,” I mutter. “Fine. I’m leaving.”

He lifts his head, his eyes narrowing to pale blue slits. “Are you?”

Yeah, I guess the turnabout is kind of sudden. “Yes, I am. Since you have it all under control, and you are where you want to be. The best place to gain power over a huge illegal organization for which you turned in your parents and all. Yeah, I’ll go and leave you to it. I’ll get out of your hair.”

It’s funny how he stares at me, slack-jawed, as I pick myself up from the floor and go to collect the spilled coins, stuffing them back into my wallet, and grab my purse. I sling my purse over one arm and wave at him jauntily.

“See? I’m leaving you in peace.” I smile, all fake brightness. “I’m guessing I won’t be seeing you again. A pity. You weren’t a bad fuck.”

Ah. Sometimes I do get the dramatic parting shot right, don’t I?

A darkness flashes through his clear gaze, and for a moment I pause, my smile dropping—because it doesn’t look like anger, but rather like despair, like raw and naked fear and misery—but then it’s gone just as quickly as it appeared, leaving me reeling.

“Don’t even think about calling anyone,” he says. “Or the police.”

“I know.” If I do, chances are these people will kill him. Can’t risk it, and they wouldn’t listen to me anyway.

He nods. “Take care, Layla,” he says, his voice barely audible.

Something niggles at me as I cast him one last look and make my way to the stairs. I’m already halfway there when it hits me:

He said my name. For the first time since I introduced myself to him, he actually said my name.

I stop, turn around. He’s put the tray down and has his face in his hands.

Oh God. I shouldn’t have turned. Forcing myself not to walk back to him and put my arms around him is tearing me apart. I don’t understand why I have tears in my eyes.

Never thought he could so easily break my heart to pieces.

Chapter Seven

Hawk

She was here, and now she’s gone again, and fuck, I wish she hadn’t come at all. I didn’t feel so alone before.