Savage Collision: A Hawke Family Novel (Hawke Family #1)(39)

“Oh, just something I’ve been working on for a while. Not sure where it’s going, if anywhere, at this point. This contact is essential to my story, but he’s a bit squirrelly.”

My heart jumps and unease overtakes me.

“What do you mean squirrelly?”

Sighing heavily, she leans her forearms onto the table and looks up at me, her annoyance apparent. “I can’t really get into it, but basically he knows his life is in danger by talking to me, and even though I swore I would protect his identity, he has been waffling about getting me the information I need. I have to go meet with him tonight.”

“Life is in danger? What kind of shit have you gotten yourself into? You aren’t going alone, are you?” I ask, the anger in my voice a little more prevalent than I intended.

She glares at me and shoves away from the table. “I’m doing my job. I can take care of myself, you know.”

Like you did last night?

Thankfully, I manage to rein in the desire to point out her state less than twelve hours ago. “I’m sure you can, but is it really safe for you to be meeting with this guy in person? Alone?”

She yanks her plate from the table and storms over to me, her lips pressed together into a fierce scowl. Stopping next to me, she reaches out and grabs my plate, turning to the kitchen without a word.

Yikes.

She’s fuming mad.

I think we’re having our first fight.

The plates clank in the dishwasher and she slams the door shut, finally looking over at me again. “I managed to make it through the past three years at my job unscathed. I don’t need you second-guessing me and acting like my goddamn father.”

Acting like her father? Is that really what I’m doing? Maybe I am overstepping my bounds here.

Her dad died when she was so young, she’s had to take care of herself for a long time. Maybe I’m not giving her enough credit.

“Look,” I say, holding my hands up in resignation, “I’m sorry if it came across that way. I’m just worried about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

She closes her eyes and sighs. When she opens them again, the anger is gone, replaced by something I hope is affection. She circles the counter and walks over to me. Leaning down, she places a quick kiss on my lips before backing away.

“I’ll be fine. I have to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okay.”

She disappears around the corner and the front door opens and clicks shut. Dropping my head into my hands, I groan.

This morning has already been filled with more drama and mindfucks than I’ve faced in a long time. I’ve apparently completely forgotten how to be with a woman without having a mental breakdown or pissing her off. This is not a good way to start things with Danika.

It’s like the tiny amount of hope I built is already caving in around me.



“So, what the hell happened?”

It isn’t a question. It’s more of a whiny demand for information from Caroline. I’d barely set foot in my apartment when my phone rang. Ignoring Caroline is useless. Plus, she has a key to my place, and if I hadn’t answered, she would probably show up here demanding the rundown of last night’s events if I hadn’t picked up her call.

“Well, I went to the club…”

“Did you wear that mini-skirt?”

Thank GOD, yes! Wearing that skirt was probably the best decision I made last night. It certainly made for easy access and, hell, I will never complain about that.

“Yes, now do you want to know what happened or not?” I drop my purse on the couch and head for my bedroom to get changed for my meeting with Paul. He better show up. I don’t have time for his wishy-washy promises and zero results.

She sighs and I know she’s rolling her eyes at me. “Ugh, yes, of course, I just wanted to know what you were wearing. Very important information, you know.”

“Well, I wore the skirt and that sparkly top.” Which I just realized I left at Savage’s when I ran out of there this morning.

Caroline whistles. “Damn, you were really going for it.”

“I was, and, it worked. I spent the night with him.”

Her squeal is so high-pitched and shockingly loud, I have to hold the phone away from my ear so I don’t lose my hearing.

“Was it totally amazing? Was his cock as beautiful in person as it was in the videos?”

I wish I knew.

I turn on speakerphone and drop it on the bed so I can change while talking. “Uh, yeah, it was.”

Shit.

I hate lying, but she wouldn’t understand. I’m not sure I understand, but I’m not going to complain after what he did to me.

FUCK, he has an amazing mouth. And a man who only worries about my pleasure is certainly something new and intriguing.

“You don’t sound very excited.”

I hate that she knows me so well, and that I’m such a shitty liar. This calls for my best dodging skills. “I’m just in the middle of something, Care. I have to change and go meet a source and I don’t have much time.”

“Fine, but call me when you’re done. I want a detailed play-by-play. You know I live vicariously through your escapades, and after all the shit you and Savage have gone through to finally get here, I’m entitled to some deets.”