“I wasn’t sure which biker club was involved. I didn’t know who to trust.”
“What? You think I could do this shit? Really? You know Banger, Jax, and some of the other brothers. How could you think any of us could be involved in hurting those women?”
“I didn’t know any of you, at that point. After I came to know you and the Insurgents, I didn’t think it involved you.”
“Didn’t involve me? How can you say that? You don’t understand that you’ve caught the attention of a dangerous group of fuckers. Viper and the others are a Nomad charter of the Deadly Demons, and they don’t play nice at all.” Pausing, he said, “Even though they are all about violence and pain, I doubt they murdered those women.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because if they did, their bodies would’ve never be found. Believe me, none of us leaves evidence.”
“How do you know that with such certainty? Have you ever…”
With an edge to his voice, Hawk replied, “Club business stays with the club. I know because I’m in a biker club. All bikers will tell you that. Anyway, that’s not the point, is it?”
Cara shook her head. “The CBI is looking at the Deadly Demons for trafficking women. One of the murdered victims was smuggled, and I think she was being held by the Deadly Demons, the Nomad group.”
“The Nomads have been trafficking for a couple of years now. They’ve been able to do it through this county and others. They’re greasing the hands of the badges and some higher-up officials, no doubt.”
Cara nodded. “I think that, as well. I also think the phony search at your house was a set-up to divert attention to the Insurgents and create suspicion.”
“Yeah, that’s what I think. This fuckin’ sicko who’s raping and torturing these girls is somehow able to let the illegal shit the Nomad Demons do pass without notice, as long as he’s fed a steady supply of vulnerable girls.”
“And I know some cops are involved, because one person couldn’t do this alone.”
“So, you’ve decided to play private eye? Do you know how stupid that is?”
“Yeah, I realize that now. I’m done with it, anyway. I called my friend at CBI and told him about Viper. I’ve moved on.”
“The problem with that, babe, is Viper has targeted you. Believe me, he hasn’t moved on.” After a long pause, Hawk asked in a low voice, “Did he touch you?”
“Viper? No,” she lied.
“Tell me the truth, Cara. Did he touch you?”
“I said no.”
“I know this fucker, and I know you. Don’t lie to me. I need you to trust me. Did he touch you?”
Wringing her hands, she whispered, “Yes.”
Hawk slammed his fist on her coffee table. “That fuckin’ asshole is dead! What did he do to you? Tell me. Now.”
“He—he forced me to kiss him, and he bit my lip.” Her voice trembled.
“Go on.”
“It’s over and done, I’m okay, and that’s what’s important,” she said.
“Go on,” he demanded.
She winced with the memories. “He pinched my nipples, threw me down, and kicked me in the leg.” She exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath until then.
“Fuck that! I’ll stomp on his balls. I’ll kill his ass!” He looked at Cara, whose face was a mask of terror. His features softened as he reached out to her. “Come here, baby. I’m not mad at you. The thought of that fucker touching you enrages me. It also makes me worry for you. I know those assholes, and they won’t stop. If anything ever happened to you, I’d lose it.” He held her, stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but you told me you didn’t care, so I didn’t want to bother you.” She sniffled into Hawk’s chest, making him hold her tighter.
In a low voice, Hawk said, “I didn’t mean what I said in your office or at the Boys Hope fundraiser. I was mad at you for acting like we just finished a fuckin’ business conference after we spent some incredible time together. You’re never a bother to me, and I want you in my life. I’ve missed you.”
Cara looked up at Hawk, and he lowered his mouth and kissed the tears off her face. When his lips brushed hers, she tasted the saltiness before she kissed him back, pulling him into her. “I didn’t think you felt that way about me.”
“Yeah, babe. I feel that way about you big-time.”
Excitement built inside Cara like bubbles in a glass of champagne, and her body stirred from her toes to her head. She couldn’t believe she had been so stubborn and unyielding, never giving Hawk a chance. Cara had it in her mind that he just wanted sex and nothing more from a woman, not understanding he was protecting himself from being hurt the same way as she was.