Page 172 of Wrecked
Hawk collected the check as soon as the attendant set it on the table.
“Oh, no,” Addison said. “I always take my dad out for his birthday. Hand that over.”
After setting his credit card in the billfold, he winked. “You can pay next year.”
“I bought myself a birthday present this year,” Z said.
“That’s great, Dad. You never buy yourself anything. What did you get?”
“A new car, which cost me a small fortune.”
“Maserati?” Hawk asked.
“A Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner with bullet-proof windows and body.”
“Nice,” Hawk replied. “Did you schedule the camera installation?”
“Not yet,” Z replied.
“My installers are running about two months out,” Hawk explained, “When you call, tell them you’re family. My scheduler will confirm with me and we’ll get the cameras mounted on your vehicle the next day.”
“Thank you,” Z replied. “I’ll show it to you when we leave.”
“Did you valet park?” Addison asked.
“I never do that,” Z replied. “I have no idea who’s getting behind the wheel.” He slid his gaze to Hawk. “Tell me you didn’t use valet.”
“Don’t go there,” Hawk said, trying to keep his tone relaxed.
Z leaned forward. “Ever heard of an explosive attached to a goddamn timer?” He shook his head. “You need to be smarter than everyone else.Always.”
He glared at Z. “Donotspeak to me like that, Philip. I’ve got cameras mounted all over those SUVs, including the underbellyandthe interior.”
Z hitched an eyebrow. “You’re guarding my child.”
A growl shot out of Hawk. “For fuck’s sake, I’m well aware who I’m protecting,” he hissed. “You, of all people, know how much Addison means to me. How much she’s always meant.”
He wanted to throw the table across the room. Did Z think he would letanythinghappen to her?
“You two need to take it down a few notches,” Addison murmured. “Daddy, Hawk hasn’t let me out of his sight. And, in case you’ve forgotten, I can take care of myself.”
“Be smart, Nicholas,” Z bit out.
“I told you, I got this,” Hawk warned. “Nothingis going to happen to her.”
The fun vibe of the evening had been sucked into a black hole. Z was pissed. Hawk was fuming. Hawk shifted his gaze to Addison.
Her eyes softened. Beyond her unassuming beauty, she oozed confidence. It was a constant for as long as he’d known her, which was what attracted him to her in the beginning. Back when all he could offer her was his friendship.
He lips curved upward and his agitation stood down a little.
“I’m sorry I spoke to you like that,” Z said. “I’m not rational when it comes to Addison.”
“You gotta trust me,” Hawk replied.
“I do,” Z said.
The tension lifted. Hawk paid for dinner, collected his credit card, and they took off. Outside, he handed his ticket to the valet who went to fetch Hawk’s vehicle.
