Page 87 of Outlaw Xmas
“That’s a little over one tablespoon. It’s double the dose.”
“Fuck!” Banger yelled as he pounded the dashboard.
“It sounds worse than it is. If they were younger or if they weighed less, it could be a real problem, but they’ll be fine. They’re going to sleep for about ten hours or so. Any adverse reaction to the medication would’ve occurred by now. When they wake up tomorrow morning, they’ll be very dehydrated, so give them water. Keep them hydrated for sure. If they start acting confused, complain of stomach pain, can’t go to the bathroom, or just stay groggy, call me. I don’t think that’ll happen, but just letting you know what’s normal and what’s not.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Hawk said, and Banger nodded. “I got some stuff to do. Take Banger and the kids back to Pinewood.” He turned to Banger. “Call Cara for me and let her know Braxton’s good. I’m sure she’s going through hell. Tell her I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Will do. You taking care of it?”
“Yeah. I’m already halfway finished.” Hawk slid out of the vehicle, went to the back and kissed Braxton’s cheek, clasped his arm on Doc’s shoulder, and walked back into the house. He waited until Doc drove off then he went back into the room.
“How’re the children?” Evan asked.
It took all of Hawk’s strength not to kill him right then and there. “I can’t believe you fuckin’ work for a charity for kids and you hate them. You’re a goddamn psycho.”
Evan smiled weakly. “It is a dichotomy, isn’t it? What can I say? My wife likes a nice life, and the pay is quite good. Anyway, it was a clever cover. No one will believe that I’m the Crazed Grinch. The only thing enjoyable about this whole damn thing will be my wife’s embarrassment. Brittany won’t be able to hold her head up in town.” He chuckled softly.
“Do you believe this motherfucker?” Throttle asked Hawk.
Hawk shook his head. “Too bad you won’t be able to see her shame. I’m tired of this shit.” He grabbed Evan by the collar and dragged him up.
“You need us to help?” Tiny asked. Tigger came over to them.
“Yeah. Don’t make it messy,” Hawk said.
Evan shook his head. “Please. Don’t. I’m sorry. I know it was a huge mistake. I didn’t hurt the children. I don’t want—”
“Take him out of here before I slit his fuckin’ throat,” Hawk gritted. With Blade and Jigger following, Tiny and Rock dragged a sobbing Evan out of the room.
For the next hour, Throttle and Hawk smoked pot and talked while they waited for the brothers to return. He kept tabs on Braxton and Cara via texts to Banger. Belle and he were staying with Cara until Hawk returned home. Evan’s cries bled into the night unheard by anyone but the brothers. And then it was quiet—still as a graveyard at midnight.
Hawk rose to his feet. “Time to head out.” He made sure the front door was locked then he and Throttle walked through the kitchen and out the back door into the inky blackness. As he walked to the front of the house, his boots slipped on the icy ground beneath them. The wintry wind’s harsh bite tore through him making the hair on his arms raise. As the brothers made their way to the SUV parked down the road, puffs of vapor rose above them, mingling with the icy air.
“Fuck it’s cold,” Hawk muttered.
“Were you able to get rid of the two assholes with all this fuckin’ snow and ice?” Throttle asked.
“Everything’s good,” Rock said as he swung up into the SUV.
Hawk switched on the ignition and turned the heater to full blast. Soon they were back on the old highway. Hawk would drop off Tiny, Blade, and Jigger at the clubhouse, and then drop Rock and Throttle at their houses before he went to his home.
It was another hour until he pulled into the garage. The door flew open and Cara ran out, throwing herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his jacket, her body trembling like a flame blown by the wind.
“Shhh, baby. Don’t cry. Everything’s okay.” He pressed her close and guided her into the house where warmth blanketed them.
“I was so scared. I’m glad you’re safe,” she said between quivering gasps.
As she struggled to catch her breath, he tilted her head back and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingers before he brushed his lips over hers.
“Oh, Hawk,” her voice hitched and she clung to him tighter.
“How’s Braxton?”
“He’s still sleeping but Belle and Banger said that’s normal. Is it?”
“Yeah. Is he breathing okay?” She nodded. He gripped her around the shoulders. “Let’s tell Belle and Banger they can take Harley and go home.”
“Why would anyone do something like this to our sweet boy? Did he abuse Braxton?” The tears slipped down her face again.
