“Why?”
A heavy, warm hand is rubbing my back, and I don’t deserve it.
“Because I’m evil.”
“For wanting revenge on the person who harmed your son?” Hawk sounds incredulous.
I nod.
“Your son was in a car accident. It’s been a rough day. The person we’re talking about potentially exposed your son to drugs and recklessly endangered his life in that car. Who wouldn’t want revenge?”
That reminds me that we’re still waiting for the tox screen results from DJ’s blood, and a fresh wave of dread hits me. This should be too much for a human body to take.
I fear I’m going to actually, physically fall apart.
“I… I…” I take several deep breaths.
Hawk's palm never leaves my back.
“Sweetheart, you’re not evil. You’re pure goodness.”
I make a sound of protest, but he chuckles at it. “Believe me. I know what humans are capable of. You’re thoughtful and kind and selfless, and when I see you after a long day, warmth spreads all over my chest, and I know I’ve finally found my piece of paradise in this life.”
He takes my hands off my face, and I summon the courage to look at him. There’s no judgment in his gaze, no disgust. Only warm, open love and tenderness. The aftereffect of the sobs shakes my chest once more.
“Don’t you remember why I was kidnapped? We blew up that meth lab. Bad people deserve bad things, and while I don’t think it’s always our job to deliver them, sometimes it can be. So now, you’ll go upstairs and try to rest a bit with DJ, while I get us some food, okay?”
“Okay,” I say uncertainly.
I can’t sleep, so I try to wash the hospital smell off with scalding water, then resume working on my embroidery to take my mind off things.
Half an hour later, there’s a knock on the bedroom door.
“Come in,” I say, and put the hoop back into the drawer.
“Hey,” Hawk says quietly from the doorway, glancing into the crib to make sure that he hasn’t woken DJ up. “The nurse is here.”
*
“The twins delivered the package. It’s over,” Hawk tells me as he hangs up the phone.
Neither of us slept a wink; between waking DJ up hourly with Mariah, fielding dozens of tearful, hysterical phone calls from Dylan, and worrying about the police or the Wolves knocking on our door, it was one of the more stressful nights of my life.
The memory of yesterday morning feels like it happened in another life.
I hug Hawk, and he hugs me back.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Any time,” he says into my hair. “I love you. I would do anything for you.”
It’s 4:40 AM, and it’s starting to dawn outside.
“I love you, too, Hawk.”
Chapter 32
Rebel
