Hawke (Protective Hero: Noble Network #2)

Chapter 25

Chapter

Twenty-Five

K inley staggered up a flight of stairs, with two men yanking her this way and that. She shuffled until she gained her balance at the top of the stairs. She tried to escape their grip, but she was exhausted. The effects of the drug stupor were wearing off, the haze lifted. The downside of adrenaline high was causing her body to crash and she shook uncontrollably.

“The boss should be here soon,” Vlad spat, shoving her into a chair.

She collapsed onto the dust-filled fabric. Sweat clung to her and soaked her clothes under the weight of vest. If she could only reach for one of the hidden weapons she hadn’t lost in the earlier struggle. Her eye was throbbing and seeing out of it was nearly impossible. She tried to wiggle free, but the restraints cut deeper into her wrists. “Can you please take these off?”

“What, the princess can’t handle a little discomfort?”

She snarled her lip at the big buffoon. “You’re going to regret this.”

“No one is coming for you.” Vlad leaned over and stroked her face, then shoved her back into the chair. “You haven’t seen nothing yet. Shut your mouth.” Vlad crossed the room and swiveled around. His beady, coal black eyes stared right through her. An eerie, cold shiver hit the depths of her bones. He wanted to kill her. “We’re expecting company.”

I don’t want to die. She lowered her head, bracing herself for what was to come. Defeated for the first time in her life.

Hawke’s chest tightened. His jaw snapped hard before increasing the magnification. “I see three men. Two beside Kinley and one just moved out of eyesight to the right of the window.”

“I see them. That’s the main living area. There’s a kitchen to the right. I had a previous tour when I planted the bugs. Shhh…listen.” The voices on his radio crackled as he tuned it in.

Hawke concentrated on getting a better look at Kinley’s face. Blood trickled from her lip and her eye was swollen. A bruise was forming with deep purples. He inhaled deep but his breath caught in his throat, almost suffocating him. They hit her. He witnessed one guy hurl her into a chair. He tightened his fist and shifted his body weight forward. A steady, low-pitched tone came from him; he barely recognized it. “I’m done waiting. They hurt her already. I’ll be damned if I sit here and watch them do it again.” His hand movements were measured and focused. One guy came at her again. She looked fragile. He swung the spotting scope, strategizing every vantage point. “I’m getting her, with or without you,” he growled. He was hyper-focused on the only mission that mattered. She was his acute sense of purpose and he wouldn’t let her down again. He was entering the house, whether Pee Wee agreed or not.

“Wait. More movement on the frontage road. Get your guys ready. This is what we have been waiting for—the guy calling the orders is here.”

Hawke texted the team. Be on the lookout for a vehicle, it’s the uncle. Follow him to the house on the hill. Don’t go off course. He was amped and at the ready. Hawke calculated a laundry list of every weapon he had, every skill he pertained, and every lethal hit he had to deliver to get Kinley safe and back into his arms.

John nudged Hawke with his elbow and pointed off in the distance. “Lights.”

“Time to bag the bandit.” Hawke slid his gloves on.

John grabbed Hawke’s sleeve. “When he parks in the drive, you follow me on my signal. If your boys have any sense, they will track him in.”

“Are there any other traps my guys need to avoid?” Hawke gave him the side eye. “Well? You would regret it personally if anything happened to any of them, trust me. You can take it to the grave.” Hawke seethed. “I’m not kidding.”

“Got it, loud and clear. They can go in the same entrance and the side yard, but don’t go beyond the tree line or this area. I have an escape route planned, but not for the guys inside.”

“I’m impressed.” He gave a nod of approval.

Hawke swung his spotting scope to the driveway. There were two figures exiting the vehicle from the driver’s side. He gauged the terrain at the flank and saw movement. His team was on point. He hitched a thumb to Hunter like old times.

Hawke swung his rucksack on his back and clicked the tripod closed. He hauled the M151 over his shoulder. “I’m more than ready to free Miss Kinley and annihilate the threat, so get your ass in gear and I’ll follow.”

Some things were different, in the past, he and Hunter had synergy, but the guy gave him another eyeroll behind his autumn-colored shades, which was not Hunter’s MO. What happened to you?

“This is why I work solo.” He popped up and signaled 3-2-1, then both took off at a run into the woods.

Kinley heard the door open and swung her head. Her uncle, in name only, had a snide expression on his face. He lifted his traditional hat with a red feather off his head, holding it out for his driver to take, along with his long coat. Another man with a briefcase stood waiting. Her uncle ambled across the room in his better-than-everyone attitude, his nose sky high in the air. He still had the handlebar mustache that he constantly fingered. She wanted to hurl. He ran a hand along the nearby tabletop and checked it for dust. “This place is so… so frumpy and ordinary, I could vomit.” He spun around. “I know a fabulous decorator.” He laughed in his Joker-esque way.

“Hmmm.” Still a snob, I see.

“District Attorney K. Lincoln, I presume? You seem vaguely familiar, except you have your father’s eyes and your mother’s beautiful genes. I was always so fond of your mother and her attributes.” He wiggled his overgrown grey eyebrows.

Waves of nausea assaulted her.

He pounded his brass-handled cane on the floor. “Look at me when I speak to you.”

Kinley couldn’t bring herself to gape at him, especially not when he ordered her to. She didn’t work that way. An earthquake of shivers took over her system. She bounced her knees to focus on anything but where this conversation would go.

He stomped in front of her and used his cane to raise her chin. “You, little bitch, will do as I command.”

She closed her only good eye. She had an empty pit of emotion for the man, but she had questions. “Why are you doing this to me?”

He laughed. “This situation screams fun. Why shouldn’t I? You’re in my way of acquiring what’s mine.” He crouched down to get a closer look. “You look horrendous, darlin’. You should really do something about your eye.”

“Why am I in your way?”

“After your father was hospitalized with a heart issue and delirium kicked in, I found his copy of this piece of paper, called a last will and testament, of our father’s. I had always thought it was weird I never got a copy and dearest Daddy wanted my brother to control the assets.”

“My father? His heart?” Kinley leaned closer.

“Yes, dreadful situation. We might have terrified him. Since then, he hasn’t been the same. He’s easily riled, but he’s been unusually quiet lately. Poor thing.”

She gritted her teeth together. “What did you do to my father?”

“I might have had a little assistance from Vlad making his life a living hell.” He turned and the guy laughed.

“Don’t worry, he’s fine. I got what I was after. I found you. The guy is resilient and wouldn’t break when it came to you and your mother. He was always a family man first. Why do you think he let your mom and you go? Kept you tucked away safe and sound? He knew I’d find out one day about Father leaving the family dynasty to you. Knowing your father’s romanticizing nature, he needed to keep you and your mother safe at all costs.”

Kinley sucked in a breath. Pain and remorse hit her. Everything she believed was not reality. “Grandfather and Father are better men than you will ever be, Augustus.”

He hovered over her, placing both hands on the arms of the chair. His breath still stunk of cigars, mustache wax, and old codger musk cologne. “I will get what is rightfully mine. Father always had a weak spot for you.”

“It’s called love, not that you would know anything about that. Greed is more of an appropriate analogy. You can have the money. I see where it creates hatred and strife. I’d rather earn my money with dignity, putting away ruthless criminals who prey on unsuspecting citizens.” She raised her chin and pulled back her shoulders. Kinley sensed her power coming back molecule by molecule. She glanced over her uncle’s shoulder and noticed something shift on the terrace. Is someone here? She diverted her gaze, watching, listening. Was it her imagination or was help here? She eyed each of the man-handlers on Augustus’ payroll. They were gawking at her, waiting for their sire to bark orders. All of them disgusted her.

He snapped his fingers, and the driver opened the briefcase. “You need to sign a new power of attorney document, so it all goes to me.” The driver walked across the room and handed her uncle a piece of paper and a pen.

“I’m not signing anything.” She jutted her chin. “My hands are useless.”

He cocked a brow and snickered, turning to Vlad. He stalked behind the chair and yanked, pushing her forward.

She screamed as he freed her restraints. She rubbed the aching cuts. “I’m still not signing anything I can’t read.”

“You don’t need to read it. Just sign it.”

Vlad yanked Kinley by the hair, pulling a handful in his grip. She clawed at his hands to free herself. There was a ping at the window from a rock. Everyone shifted and turned to the noise. Another ping sounded at the opposite window. Vlad eased his grip and finally released his hold. He flattened himself against a wall. Weapons were pulled from holsters and her uncle hunched behind his driver. “Get ‘em! Someone’s out there.” Two of the guards ran out the door.

Kinley slid off the chair and scrambled on her hands and knees to a corner as far away as she could. Vlad aimed his weapon at her, but a shot was fired through one of the windows. Panes of glass landed on Vlad’s foot, and he screamed in pain. Kinley cowered and covered her head. Red dots danced over Vlad, the driver, and her uncle. Shots boomed outside. Another window shattered and Hawke dived into the middle of the room, pummeling Vlad to the floor. Kinley wedged herself deeper in the corner when she heard a noise, the door breached when someone kicked through the exterior door. She recognized him immediately. He was the guy with the amber tinted glasses. He was with Hawke. He took off across the space and pistol-whipped the driver. Her uncle scampered away, throwing the papers in the air behind him. His high-pitched squeal was one to be remembered.

Hawke met Vlad’s punches with several of his own, knocking Vlad’s gun across the room. She didn’t hesitate and picked up his weapon. Vlad threw Hawke across the room, but he did a karate move, kicking Vlad, causing him to stumble backwards. He ripped a lamp from the wall and threatened Hawke. “Don’t you dare!” Kinley screamed at the top of her lungs. She pointed a gun at Vlad. “I will shoot if you so much as move.”

Vlad took a step and raised the lamp higher. She aimed at his shoulder and shot the first bullet. Blood squirted from the wound.

“I told you not to move.”

He bellowed in pain, and Hawke pummeled Vlad, flinging him against a china cabinet. He stomped his cut leg with his shit kickers, kneed him in the balls, and shoved him into the shelves of dishes.

Vlad dropped but Hawke wasn’t done. He flipped him over and restrained him.

Kinley froze, still armed. Her hands were shaking violently. She leaned against a wall before her legs buckled beneath her.

Gunner and Ryker came through a window. “We have two shackled outside.”

Hawke nodded, still kneeling on Vlad. He wiped his forehead and gave her the sweetest look. She wanted to bottle up the memory and carry with her forever.

Kinley swallowed hard, trying to get the words out. “What about my uncle?”

“One of ours was running after him down the hill. I think the man handled him and had him over his shoulder. The twirp was screaming like a baby. We called in a few local law enforcements. They’re within earshot down the hill with a bus. The ambulance should be here any minute.”

Gunner helped Hawke stand. “Where did the other guy helping you go?

Hawke spun around. “I think he took off after someone.”

“At ease, soldier. Go get your girl.” Gunner winked.

Hawke wiped the moisture from his eyes. He hugged his friend and whispered, “It’s been a good day. Lots to celebrate.”

Gunner pulled back. “You okay, partner?”

Hawke blew out a breath. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. When we get back to base, we need a one on one. It’s important, but this is not the time or the place.” Hawke hugged Gunner again and patted him on the back. “You’re a good hugger and all, pal, but she’s who’d I rather be embracing.” Hawke pointed to Kinley.

“What are you waiting for?” he chuckled. “Someone better check on her injuries. Yours too.”

“I’ll handle it.”

Gunner and Ryker picked up Vlad from the floor and retreated. Kinley yelled, “Vlad, I’ll see you in court.”

Hawke decreased the distance, lifting Kinley into his arms, nuzzling his face to her neck.

“Oh my God, you’re bleeding,” she shouted.

“Nah, it’s just a scratch. Let’s get out of here and make sure nothing’s broken or worse. First, you recharge. Let me take care of you, and we’ll talk.”

“Sounds divine.” She rested her head on his shoulders and let out a sigh.

Hawke watched Kinley in the safe house, listening carefully to the soothing sounds of her slumber. He could have lost her. His phone buzzed in his pocket; he tiptoed out of the room. There was a text from a number he didn’t recognize.

The uncle is locked up, so are his entourage. They’ll have their day in court. I’m finishing up loose ends here. About the job you mentioned? John.

Hawke replied. Thanks. Thought you like going solo?

Something in my gut tells me I should take this gig if it’s still available.

For you, it’s a yes. Looking forward to it. Call when you’re ready.

Will do.

“Can’t wait to have you back on the team, little buddy,” Hawke whispered.

The floor creaked behind him. Hawke swung around. Kinley stood there, covering her eyes and yawning.

“How long have I been asleep?”

Hawke looked at his watch. “About sixteen hours, off and on.” He inched closer. “Some of the swelling is going down, but you are going to have a black eye for a while.”

She touched her swollen eye gingerly. “I figure I’d stay as far away as I can from any mirrors. If it looks as bad as it feels, I’ll pass.” She bit at her thumbnail.

“You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Oh, stop.” She gave him a teasing pat. “I’m not the only one injured.”

“Never been better.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll fix you something to eat. We can ice your eye again.”

“Have you showered?” Her cheeks pinked up. “We could shower together.”

“As much as I’m tempted, please let me care for you.” He ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “I need to do this. It’s a huge milestone for me.”

She ran her hands over his scalp. “What about you?”

“I’m good.”

“No, you’re not. But I’m too spent to argue. I will comply, but I hope we can build a partnership and take care of each other for as long as we choose.”

He took her shoulders and directed her to the bathroom, then kissed her neck. “I choose you.”

She looked over her shoulder. “I chose you first. Remember?”

He needed to say the words. “Kin, I love you. I hope you don’t stop believing and never lose sight, you’ve found the right person to love you unconditionally. I will always fight for you. He leaned in and kissed her. “I love you more.”

“I loved you first.” She leaped in his arms. “My wish came true.”