13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Maggie
Why do they always find me? -Maggie
“Mags, they know you’re out west somewhere. And they know you’re not at the spa…” Madison’s voice continues to ring in my ears even hours later.
My heart rate speeds up as I think of the they she’s talking about. My father and his henchmen. They know. They know I’m out here trying to live my own life. And they know that I’m trying fuckin’ hard to get away from all of their machinations.
I suck in a deep breath.
“You okay, princess? You look like you ate somethin’ wrong. Usually, Jim’s burgers get a better response than that,” Hawk’s teasing voice brings me back to reality.
I give him a small, tense smile. “Nah, it’s great, as usual.
Just thinkin’ about something.” Jim is the owner of the local diner and his food is great.
The Savage Kings and their families have gathered at a park near town for a cookout and everyone is having a great time.
Everyone except me. I’m desperately trying to figure out if I should make a run for it.
Hawk pulls me into his arms, hugging me from behind. He kisses the top of my head and I instantly melt into him. “Don’t think too hard. Enjoy this moment, sweetheart. Enjoy this time.”
The husky tone in his voice makes me look up at him.
His blue eyes are crinkled in the corners, and he has such a happy, satisfied expression on his face.
I glance around me. Everyone is laughing and having a good time.
Kids are running around blowing bubbles from a giant bubble-blower and there are a few dogs gleefully chasing each other too.
Around this perfect place, the towering mountains stand watch like beautiful sentinels keeping us safe and warm.
I snuggle into his embrace. “You’re right, Hawk. This is not the place to worry. This is not the place to…” I trail off, wanting to say think about my family or think about going home. But I leave those words off.
He squeezes me tight. “Whatever is bother you, we’ll take care of it. That’s what the Savage Kings do. If there’s a threat, we’re there.” His voice hardens. “You’re mine now. No one will touch you.”
Warmth spreads throughout me. I am his . When I arrived here on Hawk’s arm, the difference in the way that the other members and their partners looked at me was startling. I suddenly belonged. Belonged in a way I never had before. There was respect in their eyes simply because Hawk had claimed me.
“Everyone here is family, aren’t they?” I ask softly. “They all care about you.”
“They do.” He kisses the top of my head again. “And now they’re yours too.”
“I’ve never had that before,” I murmur. “I’ve never had anyone want to protect me.”
I still in his arms, feeling like I’ve said too much. I haven’t told Hawk about my dad. I don’t know what he knows. I’m sure he’s googled me, but does he know the truth of how dangerous my family is?
He lets me go and turns me in his arms. There’s a kindness in his sparkling eyes. I can’t believe I once thought he looked like a beast. There’s so much good in him.
“You deserve a family, Maggie. We all do.” There’s knowledge in his voice, the knowledge that he’s found something here that maybe I could find to.
I put my arms around his waist and sink into his arms. I let my head rest on his chest, right below his heart. I can feel the thumpity-thump rhythm that settles me.
I’m content. I’m completely happy in this moment. Please let me stay here forever.