Her phone’s beep interrupted her thoughts and, not wanting to wake Hawk up, she picked up her phone and changed the profile to “vibrate.”
Josh: Found out something interesting. Can u get to a computer? I’ll email u what I have.
Cara: Send it to me.
Josh: K Share this with CBI. Don’t do anything alone. B careful!
Cara: I will. Thx will call u.
Glancing at Hawk’s sleeping form as she crept out of bed, her stomach fluttered. He would be mad at her for asking Josh to give her information about the murders, but she had a hunch there was a conspiracy which would rock the whole county, if uncovered. Problem was she didn’t know who was involved, or how to prove it. She hoped Josh gave her a credible lead, and if necessary, she’d enlist Eric’s help; he was in thick with many of the court personnel, since he was a judge.
Of course, anything she found out, she’d turn over to her friend, Jim, and let CBI do the heavy stuff. Hawk wanted her to stay out of it, but she couldn’t. Ever since Nadyia’s sister came to see her, she couldn’t let go of the killings, and Nadyia’s lifeless eyes haunted her. Hawk didn’t understand, and knowing he’d thwart her efforts, she decided not to tell him anything until later.
Sitting at the computer, she focused on the attachment Josh sent her as goosebumps covered her arms. She read the document several times hoping she missed or misunderstood something.
“What are you doing?” Hawk’s voice broke her concentration.
Closing out the screen, she snapped down the cover of her laptop. “Nothing much, just checking e-mails. Sorry if I woke you up.”
“You haven’t told anyone you’re here, right?”
“I haven’t. Everyone thinks I went away for a few days to decompress.”
Hawk narrowed his eyes, and she avoided his look.
“You sure? You’re acting funny.” He set his jaw and lowered his head, studying her face.
Swallowing hard, Cara said, “I’m sure, no one knows. Are you working today?”
A couple of minutes passed before Hawk answered. “Yeah, I’m going to check out my dispensary, then I have some club business to do. I’ll be back later tonight. You look worried.”
“Do I? I guess I’m nervous about all the work I have piling up with all the different cases.”
“I want you to stay inside the clubhouse, got it? I know you’re getting antsy, but for now, you have to listen to me on this. Viper is in Pinewood Springs.”
Cara’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?” The memory of Viper’s thin lips on hers made her tremble.
“I just do. Stay put.”
“Yeah, okay. I got it.”
Going over to her, he hugged her and kissed the top of her forehead. “Be a good girl, okay? Stay here ’til I get back. Should be around eight or so.”
Cara wrapped her arms around Hawk’s waist and kissed his bare chest. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
A tinge of nausea rolled around in Cara’s stomach as Hawk went into the bathroom. She hated deceiving him, but she had to meet with Eric, because the document Josh sent opened up new concerns and questions. Deciding to wait about an hour after Hawk left, she’d zip into town and meet up with Eric. Figuring she’d be back way before Hawk ever returned, he’d be none the wiser.
Her phone vibrated and she viewed the text message:
Eric: Where r u now? I thought u were out of town? What’s going on?
Cara: Can’t explain now. Need to meet u. Got info re killings. Can meet u in hr?
Eric: Can’t. In court—trial. What about later?
Cara: Not too late. What about 6?
Eric: 6:45 is earliest I can do.
Crap, that won’t give me much time before Hawk comes back. If he comes home early, I’m screwed. Maybe I should just wait for tomorrow. Who am I kidding? I can’t stand waiting. I have to meet with Eric to figure out what’s going on. She chewed her bottom lip while pondering the pros and cons of meeting Eric so late, finally deciding that she’d limit her meeting to thirty minutes, max.
Cara: K but let’s meet closer to Ridge View. Downtown too far.
Eric: What about Prospect’s Mine? Close to Ridge View.
Cara: K see u 6:45 at the mine. Later.
She put her phone down as Hawk came out of the bathroom, a blue towel snug around his waist, his hair hung loosely down his back. He winked at her as he took out a clean t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Watching him as he grabbed another towel and dried his hair, his biceps flexing with each movement, she ran her eyes up and down his body. Damn, he’s sexy in his towel and tats.
Turning around, he caught her checking him out and chuckled. “Babe, you’re gonna give me a hard-on looking at me like that. Fuck, my cock’s already twitching.”