Page 91 of Night Hawk
He took a step closer and locked gazes. “Then take pity on me. On my family. We won’t sleep at night knowing you’re alone. Let me come with you. I know I resemble Clay, but I promise to do my best not to look at all like him.” He made a funny face.
She laughed and felt instantly lighter. Maybe it would be good to have Drake with her. They could work this investigation together.
She stood and held out her hand. “Okay, you have a deal as long as we never talk about Clay.”
He shook hands, a cute grin on his face. “Clay who?”
22
In the entryway, Clay glared at Drake. “What do you mean you’re going with Toni?”
“I need to make sure Hibbard doesn’t get to her, and instead of glaring at me, I’d think you’d be thanking me.”
Clay curled his fingers. “You got a thing for her?”
“No way, man.” Anger darkened Drake’s eyes. “She’s your girl. Just doing a brother a solid, and I happen to respect her too.”
“She’s not my girl.”
“That’s your problem, not mine.” Drake shifted his duffel bag over his shoulder. “I’ll make sure she’s safe. I promise.”
“He’s doing the right thing,” his mother said from the family room, where the rest of his brothers were waiting to leave for Trent’s office.
She was the last person Clay wanted to hear from right now. In fact, he only wanted to hear from one person. Toni. And she refused to talk to him. His fault. He knew it. He’d put the investigation before her. Put these girls before her. Law enforcement officers often did that. He’d seen his dad do it enough. It was the sacrifice they made to help others in these demanding careers.
But Clay could’ve been smarter about his decision. Instead of running off to Trent, Clay could’ve talked to Toni first. Explained his reasons. And if he had talked to her first, he knew she would’ve understood because she had a heart for others too. She wanted to save these girls as much as he did. He should’ve woken her up. That would’ve been the smart thing to do.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and watched as Drake joined the other brothers. Thankfully, Sierra and Kelsey had gone with one of Trent’s deputies to Rader’s house, so they hadn’t seen the mess he’d made of things. And Blake had gobbled down his pancakes and gone to the bedroom to rearrange his schedule so he could play deputy. Clay figured the guy knew when to get out of the room.
The irony of it all was that Clay was the one with a trust issue from his last relationship, and he’d been the one to violate Toni’s trust, while she’d been straightforward and honest with him. Not wanting to lead him on when she wasn’t ready for more. And yet, here he was falling in love with her, and she didn’t even want to look at him.
“Maybe now would be a good time for prayer,” his mother suggested. “Prayer might be the very way to get Toni to soften her heart toward you.”
He didn’t feel much like praying, evenifit could help, but he joined the family. She offered a genuine prayer.Right.This was why his mother was so special. In time of crisis, she held the family together with faith. Like the stitching when she’d mended their clothes, she patched their issues with faith-filled pleas. She’d always said prayer wasn’t just about asking God to help, but it was putting into words the unwavering belief that Hewouldhelp. Maybe not as we wanted, but help would be forthcoming.
Blake came into the room. “We should get going. Trent’s waiting for us, and it’s not the best start to keep him waiting.”
“Let me say good-bye to Toni.”
“Sure you want to do that, bro?” Drake asked.
“She doesn’t want to hear from me. I get it. But I left this house once today without saying good-bye. Big mistake. I won’t make the same one again.” He took a long, cleansing breath as he headed down the hallway.
He knocked on the door gently. “Toni, it’s Clay. I know you don’t want to talk to me, but I wanted to tell you I’m heading over to Trent’s office. If you need me for anything, call. Stay safe, okay? I care about you more than you know.”
He waited by the door, hoping for a response.
“Good bye,” she said, and the finality of her tone left him wishing she hadn’t spoken after all.
Back in the family room, he tossed his keys to Drake. “You’ll need transportation.”
Drake held them out. “Dad said I could use his car.”
“The armored vehicle is safer for Toni. And thanks. You’re right. I will feel better if you’re with her.” Clay looked at his other brothers, his gut so tight he might hurl. “The rest of you ready to roll?”
They got to their feet, and without a word, followed Blake to the other SUV. Aiden unlocked the doors, and Clay climbed in the back with Erik and Brendan while Blake sat in front.
Normally Clay would fight for shotgun, but seating position seemed so irrelevant now. He would just have to pin his focus on finding those missing girls and Lisa and making sure Sharkey paid for killing Toni’s father. Then maybe she could at least stand to be in the same room with him. He could hope anyway.
