“Is she still in pain?”
“Some. But her mind is trying to figure out what happened and replaying things over and over again.” He’d had enough therapy and long nights of his own with his PTSD to recognize her symptoms.
“It’s fucked up what someone did to her. And we don’t even know if it’s the worst case scenario or what.”
It ate at Hawk, the not knowing. But… “She’s not afraid of me. While she doesn’t like being touched in general, she nevershies away from me.” He thought about it a bit more. “She was nervous around Mason at first, but she quickly relaxed around him.”
Lincoln grinned. “He’s a big, ruthless looking dude. I wouldn’t blame her for being apprehensive around him.”
“Yeah. But she saw him with Lyric. In fact, she studied them like they were some science experiment.”
Lincoln nodded. “She’s probably never seen that kind of love.”
“Her parents were abusive. Her ex killed her family. Yeah, I’m guessing she’s never seen love like that.”
“Except you’ve shown her you care. You’ll help her. You’ll be kind. Gentle. Patient.” Lincoln dropped his hand on Hawk’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re different with her.” He squeezed again. “Not that you weren’t nice to the other women who came and went from your life. But there’s something aboutherthat makes you so careful.”
“I don’t want to fuck this up.”I need her so much.
“You won’t.”
“How do you know that?” What if he didn’t live up to the man she’d made him out to be in her head these last two years?
“Because you love her. You’ve never loved anyone the way you love her. I can see it. Anyone who sees you two together can see it.”
“I just…she’s…I can’t lose her.” Just the thought made his chest tight, his stomach drop.
Lincoln smacked him on the back. “Then go home and take care of her. We’ve got you covered here.”
“Lincoln’s right. We can cover for you.” Mercy stepped up to the side of Lincoln.
He could swear his brother leaned in closer to her.Interesting.
He and his brothers owned Gunn Brothers Distillery, but Mercy was the beating heart of the place. She kept every department running smoothly. Smart, organized,knowledgeable about their products and processes, and gorgeous—not that it mattered for her to do her job. On top of all that, she had an attention to detail that had saved their asses on many occasions.
Lincoln could do a hell of a lot worse.
And maybe she was the reason he hadn’t seen his older brother out with anyone lately.
He didn’t have time to dive into that now. Lucky was at home and hurting and probably wanted some lunch right about now.
“I’m leaving distribution in your capable hands and going home to take care of what’s really important.”
“Say hi to Lucky for me.” Lincoln smirked.
Mercy stepped forward. “I heard about what happened to her. I hope she’s okay.”
“She will be once I put the fucker who did this to her in the ground.” He clenched his fists at his sides.
“I hope you get him.” With that, Mercy headed down the hall toward her office.
Lincoln couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Hawk grinned, happy to see his brother pining for someone for once. Usually he was the one being chased by women. “You should ask her out.”
“I did. She turned me down.” Lincoln’s gaze fell to the floor.
Hawk dropped his hand on Lincoln’s shoulder. “When have you ever taken no for an answer?”
