Hawk shook his head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
“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.
“That’s good, because I feel that way about you, too. I didn’t mean what I said about you not being in my league. You hurt me, so I wanted to hurt you back. I’ve been missing you, too.”
“Is that the truth?” he asked, looking deeply into her eyes.
Squeezing him tighter around his waist, Cara nodded.
“I guess I misjudged you. I didn’t think you could see me beyond a fuck ’cause we were from different backgrounds,” Hawk said.
“I see you as a person and not a list of credentials I have to check off. You do something to me no man ever has. I feel connected to you.”
He tightened his arms around her. “More than you do with that pansy-ass suit?”
“Luke? I don’t feel connected to him. I don’t feel anything for him. You’re the one who occupies my thoughts and dreams.” Brushing her tongue over his lips, she kissed him. He groaned, tugging her closer.
Clearing his voice, Hawk said, “You’re not safe here, babe. You must know that.”
“I installed a burglar alarm and extra locks on the windows and doors.”
“You can’t think that’s gonna keep the Nomads out. You gotta lay low for a few days or more, just until I can get a handle on this.”
“Should I go to my parents’?”
“Not if you don’t want to drag them into this chaos. You’ve got yourself into some dangerous shit. Sherrie isn’t a good option, either. There’s no sense in bringing her into this. You’ll come to my place for tonight. I’ll talk to Banger and the brothers tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”
“Luckily, I took some time off next week. Let me grab a few things and we can go.”
* * *
Orange and purple brushstrokes painted the sky over the mountaintops as Hawk pulled up to his house. His arms circled Cara’s waist as he helped her off his Harley, and she smiled. “I loved the ride.”
“Did you?”
“Yeah, the first time I rode on your bike it was scary, but exhilarating at the same time. It was fast. This time, I knew what to expect, so I just went with it. It was awesome.” Cara’s cheeks were red from the cold, and her long hair was tangled and messy.
“You’re definitely my type of woman,” Hawk chuckled.
When Cara entered Hawk’s house, she was surprised how neat it was. The décor was western with southwestern undertones. The first floor was all dark hardwood floors, and a large stone fireplace was the focal point in the living room. A sectional couch in a Navajo pattern sat in front of the stone hearth, while sand and oil paintings depicting life on the range adorned the walls.
Hawk put down her overnight bag and went over to the fireplace, fussing around for several minutes until licks of yellow, red and blue jumped around wooden logs. He closed the fire screen and motioned for her to have a seat on the couch.
“Nice place. I love what you did with the furnishings. Did you have help with that?”
“No, I did it by myself.”
“I’m impressed. If you ever want to do something else, interior decorating could be an option.”
“Yeah, like that will ever happen.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“I bought this place about four years ago. I stayed at the compound for around seven years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m good with my brothers, but I felt an itch. I wanted to have something of my own, my own space, you know?
“I do. I like having my own place, too. Do you have some of the guys from your club over here?”
“Yeah, we have barbecues. It’s cool.”
“Do you have wild parties here, too?”
“What is it with you? Do you think I party all the time and fuck anyone with tits?”
“Yep, pretty much,” Cara joked.
Grabbing her, Hawk threw her down on the couch, turned her over, and swatted her ass. “You need a good spanking for that one.” He smacked her ass again lightly as he tickled her sides.
Cara was laughing so hard she was afraid she would pee her pants. She yelled, “I give up, stop!”
Hawk turned her onto her back and loomed above her. Staring into her green eyes, his lips sought hers. In response, Cara wrapped her arms around his neck, brought him closer to her, and kissed him. Propping himself on his elbow, he outlined her face with his finger, saying, “Except for Kylie, who’s like my niece, you’re the only woman who’s been over here.”