Hawke (Protective Hero: Noble Network #2)

Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

W hat the hell just happened? Miss Lincoln had swagger. No one had ever talked to him that way before. This lady came full throttle, not mincing words. His teammate Gunner might have a time or two when needed or deserved, but it had come from a good place. She called a spade a spade. Had he crossed a line? Sure as shit he had.

What the fuck was he thinking? Why was everything eating him—this case and Miss Lincoln? He focused on the road and the directions she’d shot at him. He wasn’t about to stop and look at the map. His pride wouldn’t allow it. Lucky for him, he had good recall.

But when he passed a small liquor store, he knew it was time to get her the booze she requested. He stopped and gazed in her direction; her body was rigid. “What’s your poison?”

She raised her shoulders and glanced at him. There was a trickle of tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Come on. I’m not leaving you here.” He got out of the cab, jogged to the other side, and opened the door.

She scooted off the seat but her head was down, so he latched her elbow and pulled her close. Seeing her upset bothered him more than he realized.

He hated he was such an ass. “I’m sorry.”

Tonight, would be a long night but, somehow, he’d make this work or they both would be miserable and his boss would have his hide served up as rations.

Hawke opened the passenger door for Kinley and looked around. He placed the excessive bag of libations she’d chosen inside onto the floorboard, closed the door, and jogged to the driver’s side. He shifted in her direction, but she avoided eye contact as she had in the liquor store, grabbing everything she could, more than likely to annoy him. “Guess you’re planning to get your drink on?”

She raised her shoulders. “On the right side of the road, turn. Ten minutes from here.”

Hawke gauged her demeanor. There was still a chill in the air as Kinley focused forward. “Thanks.”

She didn’t reply. He dug into his chest. He had to make this right, but that would have to wait. He had a job to do. It would be a long cruel mission for both if there wasn’t mutual respect. He didn’t exactly deserve it, momentarily, but it was a great reminder that he needed to take the high road with respect. The boss would never forgive him for this. She’d hand-picked him and this case. What the hell was eating him? He prided himself on his work ethic and not disappointing his superiors. He better get it in check, tuck tail, and make it right.

They pulled onto a parcel of land. There was a small trailer nestled in thick vines and bushes. The lights were already on. Hawke’s phone buzzed with a message ‘good to go’ and set up for the next twenty-four hours.

“Is this it?” She grabbed her duffel bag from the floorboard, swinging it over her shoulder, and barged forward.

Hawke shouted. “I wouldn’t cut through the tall grass unless you’re fond of critters and rattlers.”

She jumped, plastering herself against the bed of the truck. “Good to know. I’ll follow you.”

He moved around the taller grass and found a path to the trailer. “Make noise, stomp your feet. We don’t want to surprise nope ropes lurking where we can’t see.” He stopped mid step. “Stay close. We shouldn’t be here too long. I hear the next place has promise and will be our command center.”

“That’s good. This should be a fun experiment for us tonight. Doesn’t appear like there’s much to do, except grate at more of each other’s nerves.”

“Enjoy the quiet. It will change when we get to our destination.” Hawke lifted the bag. “We have this, so it’s a win.” Hawke gave an awkward smile. His apology had little effect on her. Maybe another apology and admitting he was an ass would help. The district attorney didn’t deserve his foul mood. She had done right by CJ as her trial lawyer and treated her with respect. He owed it to her. Lincoln had gotten a lot of drugs and despicable people from the Triple Ds off the street. “Let’s see what awaits us in this fancy six by six.”

“Oh boy, I can’t wait.” She grimaced, clutching a handful of his jacket, and stuck close.

“It’s not the best I’ve seen, or the worst, but we’ll only be here the night.” Hawke checked out the bathroom and the bedroom in the back. There was a small seating area in the corner with a dinette and bank seating. “You can have the bed in the back. I’ll be out here.” He pointed to the small couch that was maybe half his size.

“Hmmm. Looks roomy. What are you, six four and some change?”

“Something like that.” He tipped his head.

“Okay. Appears comfortable.” She laid her bag down and sat on the edge of the bed. “You sure it’s safe for me to lie on here?” She grimaced.

“I didn’t say that.”

She gave a half smile. When they weren’t tearing each other’s throats out, they could function like adults. She was pretty. Her hair had an icy hue to it and her eyes were a contrast of a blue green. She was not built in an hourglass way but with athleticism, more like a runner. She did not have the air of a super model, but one with good morals and ethics. The glasses brought another element to his former teenage fantasies. The counselor was headstrong and did not intimidate easily. This lady could take care of herself, and he had to respect her. He’d start with that. His issues he’d figure out as they went along. Relationships with women, he didn’t do. One- nighters were all he had time for. The only two females in his life the past decade had been his boss and CJ, both work related. But they’d made it easy. Kinley Lincoln was another story altogether, and he wasn’t sure he knew what to do next. She rattled his damn cage.

“The team said they dropped off something for us to eat.”

“That’s okay. I’m not hungry.”

Hawke searched the cupboards, held up a can of chili and saltines. “Not much, but it’s something. Better than battle rations.”

She smiled and blew at her hands.

Hawke eyed her. “I’ll start the generator and space heater, but we can’t run that all night. I think I saw a lamp somewhere around here.” He looked around. “I promise the next place we go will be a lot more comfortable. Several team members have scoped out the area and it will be better. Maybe I can get you your work files or copies of old cases. We may need to get a different perspective from you. We need all hands-on deck, and we could use your input. The boss said she wanted this done. I know I’m personally over the Triple Ds bike club.”

“You and me both. I’ve spent the better part of my career going to trial with several cases that involved them.”

“You did right by CJ, and I thank you for that.” He gave her a quick nod.

Her expression changed with his words. “Thank you. She’s been through so much at their hands.”

He couldn’t agree more. Maybe he’d start there. This was a common ground for both. “I can start a fire outside. There’s firewood, until this place warms up.” He lifted a six-pack, two bottles of wine—one white, another red—and a pint of bourbon. He rummaged through the bottom of the bag. “Do you play cards?”

“Oh, do I, but not fancy ones, just Crazy Eights, Go Fish and years back, I learned poker, but I need a refresher.”

“Appears it’s as good a night as any to teach you.”

“Are you sure you want to do that? I can be very competitive.” She rubbed her hands together.

He winked. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Miss Lincoln. I’m competitive myself.” He raised his finger and thumb an inch.

“Nah, you? I don’t believe it for a second.”

I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t witness it with my own eyes. Was Hawke flirting a smidge, softening his prickly armor?

Hawke lit the campfire outside while she heated the gross chili and beans. This was her second ick canned food, next to the Spaghetti O’s she’d once loved as a kid.

“Dinner’s ready,” she yelled. Handing him his bowl through the door.

He patted a nearby log, “Come sit. This is all we have tonight.”

Hawke sat down, shifting the shoulder holster he always had on him. If he didn’t look intimidating with the mere size of him and his neck tattoos, the gun would do it. Hawke got up and raised a finger in the air. His movements were intentional, but he stalked like a panther, eyes always on his surroundings. Dominant stealth and strategic.

“Wait a minute. I forgot the best part of our meal. The Guinness. I’ll get it.” He grabbed a few beers and came back. “Sorry, no glasses.”

“That’s okay. I don’t need a glass.”

He wiped the dew off the can. “You deserve a glass and more than chili.” The corners of his lips lifted in a smile. He opened the tab and handed her a beer.

“I’ve learned to hang a time or two with the men’s club.”

He laughed. “I bet you have, but I assume you held your own.”

Kinley raised her Guinness and said, “Yes, a time or two. I adapt in most situations.”

“Must have been difficult for you to get through law school.”

“It wasn’t as challenging as I thought it would be. I had the most difficult time processing the old school mentality that a man could do the job better.” She shook her head. “It’s insulting.”

“You can manage yourself decent enough from my perspective.”

“Thank you. I’ll take that as a win.” She stretched her beer forward. “Cheers. I appreciate you noticing.”

He clinked his can to hers. “Hard not to. I say with the most empathy I can.”

She tilted her head to the side. “You say it like you have experience.”

“With you, yeah, so far you have been loud and clear.” He held up a hand. “I swear an apology is coming, so please hear me out. I don’t do this often, but when I’m wrong, I take accountability for my actions. I may have underestimated you and come in a little harsh. For that, I’m sorry. I didn’t take your feelings into consideration. I’m a little rough around the edges and get into my own head. Usually, we have furlough before jumping to the next mission.” He studied his beer and flicked the tab against the can. “I’ve had a long hard run the last twenty years. I know it’s not an excuse, but I’m sorry I treated you in any other way than I should, which is respectfully.” He gave her a curt nod. “You deserve a kinder approach like all our clients do. I broke our mission statement. I want you to have a glimpse of my why , though it doesn’t pardon for my behavior. The service and Noble Network have been my career. Cinder Johnson’s case was a decade-long case of witness protection and we were on the run for most of it. I got a rare furlough when I needed it.” He looked up. “I’ve been in a certain mode and rarely stepped outside the margins.”

“Beast mode can be rough,” she said and smiled. “Years back, I inherited the former D.A.’s caseload when he was promoted to judge. One of the first interviews with Cinder Johnson. She was with two gigantic bodyguards…that was you with CJ at my office, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “Yeah, Gunner and I rarely left her side.”

“I remember, as if it was yesterday. That the day Jackson Honeycutt was abducted outside of my office. Was that you?”

“It was, but we didn’t abduct him. He flung himself into our van after we left the meeting, dodging bullets from the Devil’s Delinquents. They were shooting at us, so we had to get the hell out of the parking garage with him in tow. Still don’t know how they found us there, unless you have an internal leak at the courthouse. We narrowly got away after the pursuit into the mountains. One of my teammates, Tiny, got shot. Honeycutt stayed with CJ while we went for help. We owe him big.”

“Tiny was the guard hurt? Really? Interesting. We all have six degrees of separation. And look at us now.” She bit at her thumbnail. “Do you think the motorcycle club is responsible for the threats on my life and the theft in the judge’s chambers?” Kinley stirred her chili round and round.

“Yes, you can see Tiny’s back to his healthy self. I suspect the bike club may have something to do with your problems. The members’ reach keeps going. I thought everyone was convicted, even the extra onlookers causing the ruckus in the courtroom. We nailed a few of them in Florida. My gut says something is different here. I’m not sure what the vehicle following you has to do with them, but the bikers were targeted.” Hawke eyed Kinley as she shivered. “Nothing we can do about it tonight, so let’s get you back inside. I’ll put out the fire.” He stood and kicked the dirt. “Are you up for a game of cards?”

“Absolutely!” she beamed.

Hawke opened the camper door. “I’ll be right in.”

She turned. “Thank you, Hawke.”

“For what?”

“For your apology, I think it was in there somewhere. I apologize too.” She tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “I also remember you in the courtroom.”

“You’re hard to forget too, Miss Lincoln.” He tipped his head.

Hawke looked at his phone—he’d missed a call from his boss. “I have another apology coming.” He pressed the number to ring her and hit the speaker as he flung dirt and water on the campfire. “Apologies. I missed your call, ma’am.”

“No worries. I have eyes on you—I know you and your ward are safe. Can we lower the formality please?”

“What do you mean?”

“You either call me Boss Lady or Ma’am. We’ve worked together over a decade.”

“What would you prefer I call you?”

“Tia like Gunner does.”

“I don’t think I should. If the team heard me call you that, they’d think I was getting special treatment or had gone soft. I respectfully decline by saying no can do.”

“You saved my Gunner’s life. Tia is my preference for you because you are my family, and you love Gunner as a brother. You can call me Galena or Miss Raul. I know we’re a business, but after a decade plus, we should drop the extras and call it what it is. The Noble Network is a family.”

He stammered, not knowing what to do with this honor. He had a lump lodged in his throat. Family.

“Zane. Are you there?”

“Yes, ma’am. I mean…” He thought the name best fitting for her both were regal names. “Miss Galena, I’m honored.”

“Okay, if that’s what you wish, I like it. Now that we have that out of the way, I’m calling to tell you I was contacted by someone expressing interest in Kinley Lincoln. I’ve done a thorough background check. They have her best interest in mind and want to help fund the operation. They will assist behind the scenes and not get in your way. Since the General is away, I need backing on my level.”

“Are you sure ma’am?” He stumbled. “Miss Galena?”

“I am. But I don’t want Miss Lincoln privy to this information, so no need to worry her. What I told you is between us. You leave in the morning for the command post. Get some rest.”

“I have a lot of questions and how they connect with Kinley Lincoln.”

“They are good people and have her safety as priority one. With their funding, we can hire more handlers and staff with state-of-the-art equipment. Let’s chat another time. What’s most imperative do what you do best: keep your ward safe at all costs.”

“Yes, Miss Galena.” He ended the call and stamped out the remaining embers. Trudging to the camper, Hawke scanned the night sky and desolate terrain. Something was unusual about the call. Investors? Why now? He’d not rest until he learned everything about these investors.

He stepped inside the trailer and came face to face with Kinley.

“You look worried. Is everything okay?”

“I think so. My boss called and wished us luck tomorrow, traveling to our destination.”

“Okay…”

“Anything else?”

He chugged the last of his Guinness. “Nope, not for now.” He went over to the sink and washed his hands. He caught another glimpse of Kinley. “All good. Have you come across any towels? Never mind.” He shook his hands before wiping them on his jeans. “We leave in the morning for the command post and hopefully the conditions will be better than they are here.”

Kinley leaned on the wall. “Are you ready for me to kick your butt in cards?” She lifted a brow and gave him a smirk. The tiniest dimple formed near the corner of her mouth. His gaze moved to her lips, and he was thinking thoughts he shouldn’t. He scanned the space, looking for the cards, then back to her. She had the deck of cards in her hands and tapped them against her chin.

“What did you say about kicking my butt? Let the games begin.”

Kinley skillfully shuffled the cards after taking them out of the box. This was going to be a fight to the win. Something deep in his gut believed she wasn’t being entirely truthful about how much she knew about cards.