Page 200 of Wrecked
No one had.
“The biker was in all black with a tinted visor,” Cooper said. “Do we have anything to go on?”
No one did.
“We’ll take his body to the funeral home ALPHA uses,” Cooper said. “I’m sorry, Hawk. Despite the hell he put you through, he was family.”
“When you call his mom and dad—” Hawk paused. “They don’t need to know the truth.”
“I’ll tell them he got shot in the line of duty.” Cooper squeezed Hawk’s shoulder. “You’re a good man, Nicholas Hawk.”
“I’m not doing it for him,” Hawk replied. “I’m doing it for my family.”
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Hawk told Addison he had a meeting with Stryker. He hated lying to her, but she’d know the truth soon enough. After driving her home, he went inside and checked her house.
“Why are you clearing my home?” she asked. “The threat is gone.”
He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. “Well, I wasn’t gonna just drop you off. You haven’t been home in weeks. Haqazzii could have left a bomb here.”
She shivered. “He’s history.”
“I’ll be back in an hour or two,” he said.
“I’ll be busy packing.” She kissed him.
“Why don’t we hire a moving company?”
“I don’t need one. I’m not keeping my furniture,” she said. “Just my clothing and paintings.”
One more panty-melting kiss before she walked him out front.
“Miss me,” he said.
“You miss me,” she replied with a wink.
He hopped into his sports car, slid on his shades, and left. It had been weeks since he’d driven the Mercedes and he appreciated the breeze in his hair, the sun on his face. It was a great day to be alive.
Once out of Addison’s neighborhood, he made the call.
“Good morning, Nicholas,” Z answered. “How’re we doing?”
What Z meant was how is Addison doing.
“Addison’s safe,” Hawk replied.
“I’m asking about you,” Z said. “I heard what happened.”
“I’m okay. Hard to believe my cousin tried to kill me.”
“Family dynamics are complicated.”
“I need to talk to you. Should I drop by your office?”
“Swing by and pick me up. We’ll have breakfast at Rudy’s.” The line went dead.
Twenty minutes later, he and Z were sitting in a booth at the greasy spoon.
“Always good to see you guys.” Rudy filled their mugs with coffee. “The usual?”
