“You’re taking next week off, right?”
“Yeah. I almost changed my mind, but after the week I’ve had, I need it. I may go to Denver and stay at my parents’ condo. I need to get away from all this.”
“Be safe and call in so I know you’re fine,” Asher said.
“I will, promise.”
* * *
The entire time she drove home, Cara kept her eyes glued to her rear view mirror. Looking around her front yard, she scoured the trees and bushes to make sure no one lurked anywhere. Once inside her house, she turned on her burglar alarm, double-locked the door, and checked all the windows.
Changing out of her work clothes into black jeans and a fitted berry t-shirt, she went into the living room and snuggled on her floral damask couch while leafing through one of the many cooking and travel magazines she had yet to read. She jumped when the doorbell rang, dropping her magazines. Who the hell is at my door? I’m not expecting anyone.
Panic seized her as loud pounding made her door rattle. Leaping to her feet, she tiptoed to the door and looked out the peephole. No one was there. Her body tingled in fear. More pounding, but that time she spied an arm encased in leather banging on the door. Dammit! Will this nightmare never end? Convinced Viper was outside, her body went into panic-mode: small, panting breaths, black spots in front of her eyes, the room spinning. Don’t pass out, Cara. That’s not going to help. Sweat beads formed along her hairline and the back of her neck as she stood frozen, not knowing what to do.
Bam, bam, bam! The door groaned under the assault. Daring herself to look out of the peephole again, she gasped. Standing in front of her door, making all the racket, was Hawk, and he looked madder than hell.
Relief flooded over her, and Cara unlocked the door and flung it open.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she hollered.
Chapter Nineteen
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me Viper came to your office?” he demanded.
Cara cursed Asher’s big mouth under her breath. “I didn’t think I had to report everything to you. This doesn’t concern you, Hawk.”
“The fuck it doesn’t! That asshole comes to see my woman, and you don’t think it concerns me? What the fuck’s the matter with you?” Hawk glared at her. Cara had never seen him so enraged before, and she looked down for an escape.
“What the fuck do you have with him?”
“What do I have with him? Nothing. Do you think I’d have anything with that jerk?”
“He didn’t come in for the hell of it. What the fuck’s going on?” Hawk inhaled as he clenched his hands.
“Nothing’s going on. This doesn’t concern you, and you need to butt out.”
Drawing her into his arms, he wrapped them around her waist and pressed her head against his heaving chest. “Of course this concerns me, babe. Everything about you concerns me. Whether you want to admit it now or later is up to you, but we are together. I have your back. Now, tell me what the fuck’s going on.”
They stood, silent as Hawk’s breathing returned to normal. Cara relaxed in his embrace, enjoying how good it felt to have his arms protectively around her. Ever since Viper came to her office, she had been on pins and needles. Hawk holding her, his chest cradling her head, and his scent of motor oil and musk comforted her. A steady, calm pulse and heartbeat replaced the rapid hammering she had felt for the previous couple of weeks. Dealing with Viper and the fear of the unknown had been draining, but in Hawk’s arms, peacefulness covered her like a blanket. She was ready to share the burden with him, ready to let go of her stubborn pride and let him in to help and protect her.
Grasping her chin, Hawk tilted her face toward his then bent down and softly kissed her lips. Cara gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck as she thrust her tongue into his mouth and pressed closer into him. For a moment, time stood still and all seemed right. They just stood there, the late-afternoon sun streaming in from the picture window, sharing an intimate moment.
Hawk pulled back and looked into Cara’s eyes. “Tell me what’s going on, babe.”
She sighed as images of Viper hurting her pierced the magic of the moment. “Viper came to warn me to back off. I guess I was asking too many questions about a murder victim.”
“What murder victim?”
Cara went on to explain how Nadyia’s sister came to see her and prompted Cara to look into the rash of murdered women in Summit and Gilpin counties. She told him the CBI and local investigators believed a biker club was involved.
Hawk shook his head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”