Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
L exi’s heart skipped a beat as Hawk stepped into the hospital ward. His presence filled the small, sterile space like a burst of fresh air, and for a moment, she forgot about the ache in her limbs and the weariness in her bones.
He looked every bit the dashing hero, clean-shaven and impossibly handsome, though a hint of ruggedness still lingered in the sharp angles of his jaw and the broad strength of his shoulders. He looked entirely different to the man who had stormed into the jungle clinic, muddy and unshaven, to rescue her and Moyo. She loved both versions of him, if she was honest. She’d take him any way she could get him.
His eyes lit up as they met hers, and there was a warmth in his gaze. “I hear you’ve been cleared for release.”
“Doc says I’m good to go.” She smiled weakly.
She’d been on an IV drip for twenty-four hours, the dehydration and exhaustion having taken their toll. While she hadn’t seen Hawk much since being admitted, she’d sensed his presence beside her. The nurse had even mentioned, in a conspiratorial whisper, that he hadn’t left her bedside.
He perched on the edge of her bed and took her hand in his. “I just spoke to the doctor. Moyo’s surgery went well. They relieved the pressure on his brain, and he’s going to make a full recovery.”
Relief crashed over her, stealing her breath. “Oh, thank God.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she didn’t bother to wipe them away. “For a moment there, I thought I was going to lose him. You know he got hurt protecting me from the rebels?”
Hawk’s hand tightened around hers, and his gaze darkened. “He’s a brave kid.”
“He is,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “When the rebels attacked, we managed to get most of the staff and injured gorillas into the shelter. The new steel-reinforced door kept them out. But Moyo wasn’t there—I couldn’t find him. Patrick and I went to look, and when we did, the rebels already had him.”
She recounted the story, her voice trembling as she relived those harrowing moments. “I shot one with a tranquilizer dart, and Moyo managed to wriggle free, but not before another rebel swung his rifle at me. Moyo stepped in front of me—he took the hit trying to protect me. Patrick shot the other rebel with his handgun, and we escaped, but…” Her throat tightened. “It was too close, Hawk. Too close.”
Hawk’s jaw clenched, his hand tightened around hers. “You’re both alive. That’s what matters.” His voice was low and fierce.
She looked up at him, still unable to believe he’d come all the way from New York to rescue her. “But how did you find us? How did you know where to look?”
His expression softened. “I had help. Remember that Navy buddy I told you about?”
“The one you served with?”
He grinned. “Yeah, that one. He loaned me two ex-SEALs—Phoenix and Viper—and they’re the best there is. We teamed up with Edmond, and he helped track you. From there, it was just about following your trail.”
“You tracked us?” Her voice was filled with awe. “All the way into the hills near Lake Kivu?”
“Yeah,” he said simply, as if it were nothing.
It was crazy—insane, really. She wouldn’t have thought it possible. “You did all that for me?”
His eyes softened and he leaned closer. “I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Her breath caught, and for a moment, all the chaos of the past few days faded away, replaced by the overwhelming gratitude she felt toward him. But it wasn’t just gratitude—she knew that. It went much, much deeper.
“Hawk,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Did you mean what you said back at the clinic? When you found me?”
He gave an adamant nod. “Every word.”
Her heart thudded. He still loved her, and she loved him so much it hurt. Except she still couldn’t be with him. “I have to go back, you know,” she whispered. “To Usala. It’ll be a mess. The animals will be terrified, displaced. They’ll need treatment, rehabilitation and care. They need me.”
“I know,” he said softly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to leave.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re not?”
“No.” A small smile played on his lips. “Because I’ve realized something important, Lexi. If I want to be with you—and God knows I do—then it’s up to me to fit into your life, not the other way around.”
Her heart stuttered, and she stared at him in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I’ve resigned as CEO of my company.”
Her jaw dropped. “You… you resigned?”
“Well, technically, I’m still the non-executive chairman,” he admitted with a smirk. “But I’ve stepped back from running things day to day. I’ve decided to start something new—a company based in Uganda.”
“Uganda?” she repeated, trying to wrap her head around his words. Had he lost his mind completely. “Why Uganda?”
“Robert’s relocating the sanctuary there,” Hawk explained. “I spoke to him this morning. It’s safer, the government is more stable, and the gorillas will have better protection. He’s going to need your help with rehoming them.”
She gasped. “What about the staff, the carers, their families?”
“We’re going to offer them relocation packages. Unfortunately, we can’t help everyone, but we’ll do what we can.”
“That’s… that’s…” She gazed at him, at a loss for words. How much more amazing could one guy be? If she hadn’t been completely head of heels in love with him before, she sure was now.
“There’s more,” he said, his smile lingering.
“I’m not sure I can take much more.”
He grinned. “I’m going to set up a company focused on infrastructure—pipelines, water projects, things that make a real difference for communities.”
Tears blurred her vision, and she blinked to clear them. “You’re serious?”
He nodded. “Dead serious. And it’s not just for the work, Lexi. I’m doing it because I love you. Because I want to build a life with you. If you’ll have me.”
Her tears spilled over, and she let out a laugh that was equal parts joy and disbelief. “Oh, Hawk. Of course, I’ll have you. I love you too.”
He leaned over and kissed her. Unlike their last night together, this kiss was tender and lingering, and full of promise for the future.
When they finally pulled apart, Lexi hesitated, a new thought forming. “Hawk, there’s something else I’ve been thinking about.”
“Name it,” he said, his tone steady.
“It’s about Moyo.” She glanced at her hands. “He doesn’t have anyone. His parents are gone, and he’s been through so much. I was thinking… what if I adopted him?”
Hawk took both her hands in his. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“Really?” she asked, gazing up at him. It was a lot to take on. An orphaned soon-to-be teenage boy. One who’d seen so much trauma in his young life. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Mind?” Hawk’s eyes shone with pride. “I’d love that. He’s an amazing kid, and I’m incredibly fond of him. If you want to be his guardian, then I’ll be right there with you. He deserves a family, and I can’t think of anyone better to give him that than us.”
Lexi’s heart swelled, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly. “Thank you, Hawk. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“It’s what families do,” he murmured against her hair. “And we’re going to be one hell of a family.”
The door opened again, and a nurse peeked in. “Moyo’s awake,” she said with a smile.
“Can I see him?”
“Sure, just don’t tire him out.”
Hawk helped Lexi out of the bed, and together they walked down the corridor to the boy’s room. Moyo was lying on the hospital bed, propped up with pillows. He was still connected the IV, and a tube ran from his nose. His face lit up when he saw them.
“Miss Lexi! Mr. Hawk!” he cried, his voice still weak but filled with joy.
Lexi leaned down and kissed his forehead. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Better,” he said, gripping her hand. “The doctors fixed me.”
“They sure did,” Hawk said, ruffling the boy’s hair.
Lexi’s throat tightened as she looked at Moyo, his brave little face full of hope. “Moyo,” she said softly, “how would you feel about coming to live with us? About being part of our family?”
His eyes widened, and for a moment, he was speechless. Then he threw his arms around her neck, holding on tightly. “Really?”
“Really,” she whispered, her own tears falling freely.
Hawk knelt beside them, his arm around Lexi’s shoulders as he ruffled Moyo’s hair again. “Looks like you’re stuck with us, kid.”
Moyo laughed, the sound bright and pure, and in that moment, Lexi knew she’d made the right decision. She loved this little boy and wanted nothing more than to be his guardian.
“You dropped this in the hut in the village,” Hawk said, and handed him the pocketknife he’d lost.
Moyo gasped and reached for it. “You found it.”
Hawk gave a pleased nod and put a hand around Lexi’s shoulders. As she leaned into him, still holding Moyo’s hand, she felt the weight of the past lift. The future stretched out before them, full of promise and love, and she knew without a doubt that they would face it together—as a family.