Saving Serena (Hawk Security #1)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

Serena

Finally, it was Saturday. The rest of the week had gone by quietly, both at work and at home.

Powell had kept me grounded from going out in the field while he decided what to do with me. Car-wrecker , he’d taken to calling me, and he bitched about his budget and the cost of a new vehicle. I sighed. At least so far he hadn’t given my spot to Remy like I knew he wanted to.

Since our little talk Tuesday night, Duke had been discreetly professional around me, sneaking a glance here and there, setting his hand on my hip or lower back but nothing more.

Every night, I went to bed frustrated. Thinking of Duke’s expert hands while using my vibrator had become my only outlet. Having him so close, but so far, was killing me. What is taking him so long?

“Ready?” Constance called from outside my door.

“Almost.” I checked my concealer again. The sunglasses would help hide the evidence of my accident last Monday, but it wasn’t perfect. Still, the day of the family barbecue had arrived, and it was time to face the inevitable.

Constance and Terry would be outside my parents’ property today. “ On standby ,” Lucas had called it. They’d be ready if Duke needed to call them in.

I applied more eyeshadow. With this little sundress, I planned to make it hard for Duke to look anywhere else. Since staying away from him hadn’t motivated him to clear things up with his team quickly, maybe the temptress look would.

“Wow,” Constance exclaimed when I finally opened the door. “You’re going to kill him.”

My eyes widened. “It’s going to be warm, and this is all I had that was clean.”

She raised a brow, not falling for my high-school-level deception. “I am a trained Secret Service agent. Who do you think you’re fooling? I see the way you two look at each other. Dressed like this, you want him to step up and make his move.”

I thought we’d been extremely discreet around the team. I guess not. “I do think he’s kinda cute,” I admitted.

“And he can’t take his eyes off of you.”

Blushing, I basked in the warmth of her words. I shouldn’t have felt insecure, but it was hard not to when the man who said he wanted me seemed in no hurry to “ make his move ,” as she’d put it. “Why do you think he’s holding back?”

She shook her head. “Why do men do half the shit they do? Because they’re emotionally stunted creatures and too scared to admit it.”

I giggled. “Yeah.”

Duke’s voice boomed from downstairs. “Terry left to get in position. Aren’t you girls ready yet?”

“Coming,” Constance yelled back.

Duke’s eyes widened when he saw me coming down the stairs. Yup, it was the first time he’d seen me in a dress, and he liked my legs. Hot damn, did he like them.

Then, he averted his gaze. While he locked up the house, Constance and I went ahead to climb into the backseat of his SUV.

“He noticed,” she commented.

“Shush.”

The drive to Dad’s compound went by in silence. Duke ignored us and put on his sour face.

I knew he didn’t want to go to this event, but not why it was such a big deal to him. But it was his tough shit because I didn’t have an alternative.

Nearing the family compound, Duke pulled to the curb behind Terry’s car. Constance got out, and I moved up to the front seat.

When we reached the gate, the guard recognized me and waved us through without ID.

“You’re nervous,” Duke observed.

“A little.”

“Explain that to me.”

“Vincent told me Dad wants me to get back together with my ex.”

“Why does your father get a say?”

I sighed. “You wouldn’t understand.” Nobody would. I turned it around on him. “You look nervous, too.”

It didn’t work. “What’s this butthead ex of yours look like?” he asked.

“George is not as tall as you. Blond, longer hair last time I saw him. Scrawny by comparison. Oh, and he was a SEAL too.”

“Really? A team guy, huh?” Duke snorted. “Maybe I won’t break his face.”

I laughed. “I’ll point him out if he shows. He might not. Now wipe that scowl off your face and remember to act like my boyfriend, just in case.”

After we parked, I caught movement in the curtains. I waited for Duke to open my door for me like a proper boyfriend in case it was Mom watching.

We mounted the concrete steps up to the house, and a zing went through me as Duke put his hand on the small of my back. God, that felt right. Every time he touched me was like the first time. It was scary how exciting I found it. I looked over to smile at him and realized Duke had a paper bag I hadn’t noticed earlier.

When the door opened, Mom stood just inside, as I’d suspected. She looked over her glasses at me. “Serena, I didn’t realize you were bringing somebody along.” She hid her disappointment well.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Duke Hawk. Duke, my mother, Marcia Benson.”

Duke offered his hand.

It was a gesture she couldn’t refuse.

“Duke is my boyfriend,” I added, catching the twitch of Mom’s eye as I did. Score one for me.

“A pleasure, Mrs. Benson,” Duke said, whipping a rose out of the bag. “You have a lovely home, and I can see where Serena gets her beauty.” He held the flower out to her. “I picked this for you. It’s an American Beauty. Serena said you like roses.”

Mom blushed and almost teared up taking the flower. “Why, thank you, Duke. And Marcia will do.”

“Is Dad around?” I needed to get us away from Mom before I started crying at how gentlemanly Duke was.

“He had some meeting or other scheduled, and he’s not back yet. Dennis can’t make it. Kelly and Vincent are out back. Zach is working the grill. I’m sure your father won’t miss the food. He can sniff out grilled meat ten miles away.” Mom twirled the flower in her fingers.

Duke’s lips curved. “A pleasure, Marcia.” Then he escorted me down the hallway with my hand in his.

“What was that?” I whispered when we made it out to the back patio.

“You wanted me to act like a proper boyfriend.”

“Yeah, but do you have to be so nice that she decides to adopt you?” I jumped with a yelp when he swatted my ass. “What was that for?”

“You said you didn’t want me perfect.”

“Let’s find something that doesn’t involve hitting.”

“It’s called spanking, and some women like it.” With a strong arm around my waist, he pulled me close and kissed my ear before whispering, “Is this better?”

I sighed and nearly melted at how wonderful the contact between our bodies felt after days of longing for it. “Much better.” The spanking mention didn’t deserve a response.

We got through the introductions to my brothers and sister without the appearance of any more flowers, spanking, or any other weirdness.

With every glance from Duke and every touch of his hand at my back, he amped up my desire for him. After a week of keeping my distance, I wanted to drag him into my old bedroom and make him choose me over his need to look professional for his team.

As Duke asked plenty of get-to-know-you questions of my family, I intertwined my fingers with his. Here, he couldn’t put artificial distance between us for appearance’s sake.

When something got in my eye, I pulled off my sunglasses to wipe it away.

Kelly eyed me suspiciously, and as soon as the guys moved on to the topic of basketball and the Lakers, she pulled me aside. “What happened to your face?” She touched the bridge of her nose.

Found out. “A car accident.” That part was truthful. “Please don’t mention it to anybody, especially Dad. It’s embarrassing, and you know how he gets.”

“No worries.” She laid a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve got your back. Just keep the sunglasses on.” She looked back at the guys, and a mischievous grin appeared. “Now,” she breathed. “Tell me about Duke. Is he the reason you won’t return my calls?”

I pulled us farther away from them. “Yes.”

She fanned her face. “He’s hot. Where do I go to find another one like him?”

“Self-defense class. He’s an instructor.” It was the cover we’d discussed.

Duke sent a smoldering smile my way, and I waved back.

“He looks like he could lift the house off its foundation.”

I nodded. “And then some.” I wished I could get my hands on those muscles right freaking now .

Duke

Serena’s brothers, Vincent and Zach, were even bigger Lakers fans than I was.

“Of course, they have a chance at the semis, if not winning the whole thing,” I asserted.

Zach prodded the meat again and turned one burger. “I say all the way.”

I turned back to Vincent. “Serena tells me you’re looking at a new job.”

“If it pans out.”

“Tell me about it.”

“If they like me, I’d be going to Boston to run the East Coast operations of Covington Industries. This would be the first time they trust someone outside the family with a chunk of the business.”

“That’s cool. Working for Bill?”

“Exactly. You know the Covingtons?” He seemed surprised.

“Yeah. Stand-up people. Hey, doesn’t Liam run the Boston office?”

He moved closer and lowered his voice. “Yes, but his wife’s sick, and he wants to take some leave.”

“Oh, that’s terrible.”

“Uh-oh…” Vincent whispered.

I turned to see a man I knew wasn’t a Benson. I’d spent a lot of time studying photos of Serena’s family.

“Dad went through with it,” Vincent mused. He elbowed Zach.

“What?”

“Dad invited Kittleman.”

Ahhh… Butthead had arrived.

The man walked toward us. “Hey, Vince.”

“It’s Vincent,” Benson replied.

“Yeah, right.”

I’d had Jordy check Butthead’s last few years, and they’d been unimpressive. He looked just like the idle rich kid the paperwork said he was.

“Hi, I’m Duke. You must be Georgie.”

His nose wrinkled slightly. “George will do.”

I dispensed with polite, deciding direct was the better option. “What are you doing here?”

He paused, clearly not expecting that. “I’m back in town and reconnecting with my girl.”

The fuck you are.

Behind him, Zach rolled his eyes.

I offered my hand. “Nice to meet…”

Butthead took it.

“The ex,” I added as I squeezed his sweaty hand.

He tried to pull loose, but I kept shaking and tightened my grip.

“Where’s Serena?” he stuttered.

After one final squeeze, I let him go and sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?”

“What?”

I sniffed the air. “Something smells off.”

Vincent hid his smile behind a cough.

My impression of Serena’s father had started low, but it had just gotten lower. Lloyd Benson had abysmal standards for his daughter if he thought George “Butthead” Kittleman was deserving.

I might be in over my head, but I decided to go for it. Serena was going to be mine, and George would get nothing. Why was I denying what I’d felt from the moment the feisty woman told off Lucas? I could manage having a little fun, right?

Serena

Not long after he arrived at my parents’, George broke off talking with the guys and sought me out. He asked for a moment of my time, which I put off until after lunch.

At that point, my plan was to leave as soon as the meal finished. George was my past, and the attraction I felt for Duke was a hundred times greater than anything I’d ever felt for George. The sooner I got away from him the better.

Duke stayed close by while my brothers dominated the conversation.

Mom was right about Dad arriving when the burgers were ready. She’d just gone up to fetch the potato salad when my brother, Josh, stopped his monologue about the latest acquisition and stared up at the house.

“Who’s that with Dad?” Vincent asked.

Duke didn’t dare answer, and neither did I. Lucas Hawk, Duke’s older brother, and boss, was alongside Dad as they strode our way.

“Just in time for burgers and dogs,” Zach offered. “Mom’s getting the potato salad.”

“In a minute, Zach.” Dad pointed at me as he walked up. “Munchkin, we need a word with you first.”

Lucas’s face was impassive, giving nothing away.

“Okay.” I moved forward, and so did Duke.

Dad gave me his customary bear hug.

I stepped back. “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Duke.”

Dad ignored Duke and motioned toward the old oak tree. “Just you, Munchkin.”

I’d had enough of this. “Duke too.”

Dad pointed a finger at Duke. “Stay. Just you, Serena.”

The rest of the group stayed silent.

“No, Dad. Whatever you have to say, Duke can hear.”

“Serena,” he cautioned.

“You told me relationships should be equal. We’re a package deal.”

Dad took in a long breath and gave in, nodding toward the tree. “Okay.” He turned to Zach. “This won’t take long. Keep those burgers warm.”

As we walked, I smiled at Duke. I’d won one against Dad.

Duke took my hand, but there was tension in his face.

My comment about being in a relationship with Duke had just slipped out. Had I made a mistake? When we reached the tree, I looked back to see my siblings busy with hushed conversations.

Dad turned to my new relationship partner. “Duke, right?”

“Yes, sir.” They shook hands, but I sensed an undercurrent of distrust from Duke.

“Son,” Dad said. “What you are about to hear is not to be discussed with anyone—not your parents, not your priest, not your dog, no one.”

“Understood, sir.”

Dad looked at me and took a breath. “Munchkin, Harvey Fox?—”

“Stop,” I cried. I couldn’t go there. We couldn’t ever talk about him again.

Dad ignored my plea. “He was granted parole, and I’m afraid he may be dangerous.”

The words hit me like a freight train. My legs went weak, and my vision blurred. I remembered Fox’s glare after the judge pronounced his sentence, but worse than that was the threat he’d mouthed as they led him away.

My longtime nightmare had become real.