Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
The buttery soft leather beneath Lucky cradled her in comfort as she drove Hawk’s way too expensive Range Rover to his office.
Damon had picked him up this morning, so she could use his car to get to work.
She’d managed a six hour day in her office, updating schedules, paying bills, finalizing payroll for the week, and checking in with all of her employees, without being too tired.
Her strength and stamina were getting better.
And yay! No more stitches. Though her scars still gave her chills and reminded her of the ordeal she’d been through.
Hawk suggested she talk to his psychiatrist. She had an appointment with him next week.
She wanted to be the best version of herself for Hawk.
And she wanted to finally put the past behind her, even though Neil was still out there, taunting her, trying to kill her.
Her frustration and anger had to go somewhere and maybe talking about how unfair and maddening it was that no one seemed to be able to stop him would help.
Well, maybe she’d get some answers today.
Jase had asked her to come down to the station—he had some information about Neil and the case. She hoped it was good news, that they finally had some evidence to put him away again.
Her heart sank a little as her doomsday brain taunted her with thoughts of how long this had been going on and how he kept getting away with it.
Would today finally be the day he was caught?
She hoped so. But first she was stopping by Hawk’s office to see if he’d go with her.
He always said, anything she needed, he’d be there. Well, she was going to try to lean on him. It wasn’t her way. She’d been alone a long time. She’d never really counted on anyone. But she knew Hawk wanted to be a part of stopping Neil and making her safe.
She just wanted him by her side.
She pulled into the lot outside of Gunn Brothers Distillery and parked the car several spaces away from any other cars. It made her nervous that she’d ding the door, or someone would scratch it trying to get into their car.
I’m being ridiculous. It’s just a car. He won’t dump me if I scratch it. Right?
Her stomach knotted. “Hawk loves you more than the car,” she reminded herself.
Holding onto that thought, she remembered to lock the door and headed toward the building, hoping she’d see him right away and she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone else.
She opened the door to the building and stared at the Gunn Brothers Distillery logo above the reception desk along with their motto. “If you want it, go after it Gunns blazing!”
“It’s the family motto,” the perky receptionist with the wavy blonde hair, pouty lips, a sophisticated blazer over her ample chest replied.
The motto seemed to suit the brothers—at least Hawk and Lincoln. She had yet to meet Damon, but his reputation as a go-getter, party boy, and ladies’ man preceded him.
Hawk hadn’t gone after her like that, until he’d found her in the woods and made up his mind that she wasn’t getting away. Then he’d been all in.
He loves me.
It still felt so amazing, surreal, and too good to be true.
“Can I help you?” The receptionist stared, her gaze impatient, making Lucky nervous.
“Um. Can you tell me where Hawk’s office is?”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. I need to ask him something.”
“I can take a message.”
“I need to see him.”
“Last I heard, he was in the warehouse. Non-employees are not allowed back there. If you’d like to leave your number, I’ll have him contact you.”
“I can wait in his office for him to come back.” He probably wouldn’t be that long. She could send him a text and let him know she was here. But first she’d give this one more shot. “Um. Yeah. I’m Lucky.”
“Good for you. I hope some will rub off on me.”
“No. My name is Lucky.”
“Lucky!” someone called from down the hallway. Another woman.
“Yes?”
The click of heels sounded, coming quickly down the hallway and echoing off the polished cement floor. The most gorgeous auburn haired woman stepped into the lobby and smiled at her. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”
“Ah. Okay. Hello.” She bit her lip. “Who are you?”
The woman came forward, hand extended. “Mercy Matlock. Head of Operations. I run this place with the guys. Hawk is gaga over you.”
A sudden blush burned her cheeks and ears.
“Who are you?” the receptionist asked again.
Mercy turned to the woman. “She’s Lucky, Hawk’s girlfriend. She can go anywhere she likes on the premises.” Mercy waved Lucky forward. “Come. I’ll show you to his office.”
“I didn’t know Hawk had a girlfriend,” the receptionist said under her breath, a look of confusion and disappointment on her face.
Lucky could relate. She’d wanted Hawk for a long time and imagined him with other women, feeling like he was way out of her league.
She never thought she’d be the woman by his side, but here she was, living in his house, driving his car, and walking into his business to see him while at work.
He’s mine.
The thought made her heart swell.
“That’s the same lovey-dovey look he gets when he’s talking or thinking about you.” Mercy knocked her elbow against Lucky’s arm. “He is one hundred percent in love with you.”
“I know. It’s kind of crazy.”
Mercy laughed and waved her hand down the hallway she’d come from. “No it’s not. You’re gorgeous. Smart. Funny. Kind. And you make him happy.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, Hawk’s not a big talker. Most of that came from Lincoln. He likes you, too. Said you’re the best thing to happen to Hawk.”
“He said that?” Her heart soared with joy.
“Yes.” Mercy stopped in front of a closed dark wood office door with Hawk Gunn printed on it and knocked. “I saw him return from the warehouse a few minutes ago.”
“Come in,” Hawk called out.
Mercy didn’t open the door right away, but turned to her. “I would really like to get to know you better. Would you like to grab drinks at Gunn Brothers one night this week?”
“Only if Lincoln or Hawk are pouring the drinks for me.”
Mercy’s eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry about what happened to you. We were all angry about you being drugged in the bar. I hope it will help that the guys amped up security, adding more cameras inside and out of the building. I promise if you’re with me or the them, you’ll be safe.”
The door opened and Hawk stared from Mercy to her, then back again. “What’s going on? Why isn’t Lucky safe?”
Mercy rolled her eyes. “Down, boy. She is. I asked her out for drinks and reassured her that with me and you guys, she definitely won’t have to worry about anything.”
“Oh.” Hawk brushed his hand down Lucky’s arm and took her hand. “I think you and Mercy would get along great. You’re both so dedicated to your jobs that you don’t make time for anything else. I think you’d have a lot in common.”
If this was someone important to Hawk, and she must be if they trusted her to run the business with them, then Lucky definitely wanted to be friends with her. “I’m sure Hawk has your number. I’ll text you and we’ll work out a day and time to meet up.”
“Great.” Mercy beamed, joy and expectation in her eyes. “I’ll leave you two and get back to work.”
“Lincoln was looking for you earlier. He wanted to take you to lunch.”
Mercy tried to hide her smile, but a hint of it peeked through before she caught herself. “Uh, thank you for telling me.”
“You might say yes to him once in a while,” Hawk suggested, a hint of humor in his voice.
“Yes. Well. Back to business.” With that, Mercy hurried down the hall to the open door three down from Hawk’s.
“What brings you by, sweetheart? Did you miss me?”
“I hope it’s okay I just dropped in.”
He pulled her into his spacious office. His desk was to the left, a credenza and bookshelves behind it.
He had a laptop open on the desk, along with a phone and pen holder, otherwise there was no clutter.
A couch and coffee table to the right of the door provided another seating area.
And on the far wall were low file cabinets beneath a wall of windows that looked out toward the warehouse next door, mountains in the background.
“You can drop in whenever you want. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I think so.” Before she could explain further, Lincoln rushed into the room, stopping short when he spotted her.
“Hey, Lucky. Good to see you.” He looked at Hawk. “Have you seen Mercy?”
Lucky didn’t know what came over her, but she backed away, the room feeling like it was getting smaller and smaller. She couldn’t breathe. There wasn’t enough air.
Hawk hadn’t taken his eyes off her and noticed immediately. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
She stared from him to the door, Lincoln in front of it. No way out. She couldn’t get out. Her ass hit the filing cabinet by the window as Hawk stalked closer to her, his hand out to her.
“You’re okay. Just breathe. No one is going to hurt you. You’re okay.”
She shook her head, her eyes glued to the door behind Lincoln.
Hawk followed her line of sight. “Lincoln, get the fuck away from the door.”
Lincoln moved without question, walking toward Hawk’s desk. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to block you in.”
“Breathe, Lucky. Do it with me,” Hawk implored. “Deep breath in. Hold it for four, then blow it out for four.” He did it with her, inching his way closer to her until he had his hands on her cheeks.
Her heart slowed and she could breathe again. She put her hands on his wrists and sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.” She sagged into Hawk’s chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s okay. You had a panic attack.”
“I’m really sorry,” Lincoln said again with so much feeling.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just me.” She met Hawk’s worried gaze. “I’m okay now.”
“Why did you come? Were you upset? Did something happen?”
“Aside from my fucked up life?”
Hawk held her face. “Talk to me.”
“Jase called. He wants to talk to me. I thought maybe you’d come with me if you had time.”
“Yeah. Sure. No problem.”
“Just like that?” She couldn’t believe how caring he was, or how he’d drop everything for her.
“Yes. Just like that. All you have to do is ask.”
“Um, I need to find Mercy. I’m going to leave you two now,” Lincoln interrupted, heading for the door. “Lucky, I hope you get good news.”
Probably not. She didn’t have that kind of luck. “Thank you. And I’m sorry I made you feel bad for walking in here.”
“No apology necessary. I get it. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Tell Mercy I’m looking forward to that drink.”
Lincoln’s eyes lit up. “You guys are going out together?”
She nodded.
“That’s great.” He dashed down the hallway.
She didn’t know why he cared if they had drinks but didn’t question it. “Is it me, or is he acting oddly today?”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him the last few days.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “You good?”
“Yes. Thanks to you. You always make me feel safe.”
“You do the same for me.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I’m so glad you came. I wouldn’t want you meeting with the sheriff’s office without me there with you.”
“It’s not like they’re going to arrest me.”
“I know. But you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you. Always.”
She loved hearing that and knowing he meant it. “I don’t want to do it alone. I need you.”
Hawk pressed his forehead to hers and linked their fingers in both hands. “Need you, too, sweetheart.” He kissed her again, this time longer and deeper, until she melted into him. “Let’s go see what Jase has to say.”