Page 22 of Hawk

“What the fuck is going on here?” He reaches up, ripping Phil from Hawk’s grip, and Phil stumbles forward, grabbing onto his shoulder. Phil is huffing, apparently pissed off.

“This dumb fuck came out of nowhere and put his fucking hands on me.”

“He was touching Tessa.”

“Who gives a fuck?” Phil spits back. “I know her.”

“I don’t give a shit if you know her. You were touching her. You don’t fucking touch her.”

“Look, man, you can’t come in here, putting your hands-on people,” Croy says to Hawk.

“Are you fucking kidding me? He’s been sitting here all night like a fucking creeper watching her.”

Croy turns towards me. “Tessa?”

I close my eyes, giving a slight nod, confirming what Hawk has said.

“Get the fuck outta my bar.” He pushes Phil’s shoulder.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Phil doesn’t move, so Croy gives him another shove.

“Yeah. You don’t touch women without permission, and you definitely don’t touch my staff. I don’t want to see you here again.”

“This is fucking ridiculous,” Phil grumbles before turning to me. “I’ll be seeing you, Tessa.” He smirks before he stalks off towards the front door with Croy on his tail.

The feel of someone touching my wrist makes me jump. Hawk rubs the tender spot of my skin before bringing it to his mouth, kissing it lightly. “You okay?”

“How did you know he was watching me?”

The corner of his mouth draws up. “Let’s just say he’s not the only one who’s been watching you.” When he feels me pull my hand away, he lets go. “Go back to work, Tessa. I’ll be right here.” He pats the bar.

“You don’t have to stay here.”

“You’re not getting rid of me, Tessa. My mind is made up, and there’s no changing it,” he deadpans, and I know there’s no use arguing with him.

I take a deep breath, giving me a second to come to terms that I’m not getting rid of him. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Just water.” He gives me a wink and the old Hawk that I knew all those years ago is back.

* * *

The bar is finally quiet. I’ve done the standard run through, making sure there aren’t any stragglers. Making sure to look in the storage closet.

“Hey, Tessa?” Croy calls for me as I pass by his office making me stop in my tracks. “You got a minute?”

“What’s up?” I ask as I enter the office.

“Take a seat.” He points to the seat directly in front of the desk that he and Shae share.

I slowly lower myself into the chair. He sounds extremely professional right now, and that’s not how our relationship is. We’re friends. He’s basically the only ‘family’ I have anymore.

“What’s going on Croy?” Several different scenarios swirl in my mind. Tonight, how Hawk behaved, how Croy had to escort Phil out of the bar. Am I too much of an issue to keep on staff? I haven’t had any other problems in the past. I make sure of it.

“Is everything all right with you, Tessa?”

“What do you mean?”

“Pam told me how you freaked behind the bar earlier…”