21. Izzy
21
IZZY
T he roar of Hawk's bike drowns out my thoughts, the wind whipping against my face as we tear through the night. I cling tightly to him, my arms wrapped around his solid frame.
Is Laina safe? And Tank... oh God, Tank.
Hawk maneuvers the bike expertly through the winding roads, but every bump and swerve makes my heart leap with fear for Tank. The image of him clutching his side, blood seeping through his fingers, is seared into my mind. I squeeze Hawk tighter, as if trying to draw strength from him, hoping it will somehow transfer to Tank.
The journey feels endless, each passing minute stretching my nerves thinner. The rain has stopped, but the air is still heavy with moisture.
Finally, the hideout comes into view.
Hawk helps me off the bike, his hands steadying me as my legs wobble from the ride.
“Are you okay?” he asks, taking my face into his hands, his voice a grounding force.
“I’m fine,” I say with a tight voice.
“Let’s get inside.”
The interior is dimly lit, the air cool and slightly musty. Hawk and Vance help Tank to the couch, lowering him gently onto the worn cushions.
“We need to clean it,” I say, my voice trembling as I kneel beside Tank. “We need to stop the bleeding.”
“Do your worst,” Tank replies, trying to give me a reassuring smile despite the pain etched across his face. Tank winces as he leans back on the couch, his breathing shallow and labored. I kneel beside him, my hands trembling as I open the first aid kit.
“Okay, Tank,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Hey. I’ll talk you through the whole process, okay?” he says. “Sometimes you all forget I was special ops. First, you need to clean the wound. Use the antiseptic wipes. It’s gonna sting like hell, but it has to be done.”
I grab the antiseptic wipes, my fingers fumbling as I tear one open. “Alright, here goes.”
“Gently, Izzy,” Tank instructs, his voice surprisingly calm. “Wipe around the wound first, then over it. Make sure it’s clean.”
Tank hisses through his teeth, his body tensing, but he doesn’t complain.
“Now, you need to get the bullet out. There are tweezers in the kit.”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding even faster. “Okay.”
“Just take it slow,” Tank says, his voice a bit strained but steady. “You’re gonna do fine.”
I take the tweezers out, my hands trembling even more. “Alright, here goes nothing.”
“First, feel for the bullet with your fingers,” Tank instructs. “You need to know where it is.”
I gently press around the wound, feeling for the hard lump of the bullet. Tank winces, but he nods when I find it. “Got it,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Now, use the tweezers,” Tank continues. “Get a good grip on it and pull it out slowly. I take a deep breath, then carefully insert the tweezers into the wound. I feel the bullet, cold and hard, and grip it with the tweezers. If he’s in any pain, he hides it well.
“Got it,” I say, relief flooding through me.
“Good job,” Tank says through gritted teeth. “Now clean it again. Make sure it’s really clean.”
I grab another antiseptic wipe and clean the wound again, making sure there’s no debris left inside. Tank’s body relaxes slightly, and I can see the tension easing from his face.
“Alright,” Tank says, his voice a bit weaker now. “Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Use the gauze pads.”
I grab the gauze pads, pressing them firmly against the wound. Tank winces again, his breath coming in short gasps.
“Sorry, sorry,” I say quickly, my heart pounding.
“You’re doing fine,” Tank reassures me. “Just hold it there for a minute. Let it soak up the blood.”
I press down, feeling the warmth of his blood seeping into the gauze. I glance up at Hawk and Vance, who give me encouraging nods.
“Now you need to wrap it. Use the roll of bandage. Start from the bottom and work your way up, making sure it’s tight but not too tight.”
I pick up the roll of bandage, my hands still shaking as I begin to wrap it around his torso. “Like this?”
“Yeah,” Tank breathes. “That’s good. Keep it snug.”
“Perfect,” Tank says, giving me a small, strained smile. “You did great, Izzy.”
I sit back, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank God.”
Hawk steps forward, resting a hand on Tank’s shoulder. “You’re a tough son of a bitch, you know that?”
Tank chuckles weakly. “Had to be hanging around with you guys. Give me a few tylenol and I’ll be back to normal in a few hours.”
“We still don’t know where Laina is,” I say then, staring at all three of them.
“No. I got the location from our little Dead Demon friend,” Vance says. “But we need to rest before anyone is going anywhere.”
“I’ll be fine,” Tank says, lifting himself up off the couch, but Hawk’s hand lands on his shoulder.
“Sit your ass back down.”
Tank grumbles but obeys, sinking back into the worn cushions. “Alright, alright. Just don’t get used to bossing me around.”
I nod, but the adrenaline and exhaustion are starting to catch up with me. My hands are still trembling, and I feel a mix of relief and lingering fear. “I just need a minute,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.
I give them a small, grateful smile before turning and heading down the hall. The small bathroom at the end of the hall is a welcome sight. I push the door open and step inside, closing it behind me with a soft click. The dim light casts a soft glow over the small space, and I lean against the sink, taking a deep breath.
The mirror reflects my tired face, smeared with dirt and blood. I reach for the faucet, turning on the cold water and splashing my face, trying to wash away the grime and the memories of the night. The cool water feels like a lifeline, grounding me.
I peel off my bloodstained clothes, each piece dropping to the floor with a sense of finality. Stepping into the shower, I turn on the hot water and let it cascade over me, the steam rising and enveloping me in a comforting warmth. The water pounds against my skin, washing away the blood, the sweat, and the fear. I close my eyes, leaning my head against the cool tile, and let the water do its work.
The door creaks open. I glance over my shoulder, startled, to see Hawk standing in the doorway.
“Hey,” he says softly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yeah, I just needed a minute to breathe.”
Hawk moves closer, his presence comforting. “It’s been a hell of a night.”
I laugh softly, the sound hollow. “That’s an understatement.”
He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’ve been incredible through all of this, Izzy. We wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”
“I just... I don’t want to lose anyone else, Hawk. Not Laina, not Tank...”
“You won’t,” he says firmly, his eyes locking onto mine. “We’re going to get Laina back, and Tank’s going to be fine. We’ll get through this together.”
His words are like a warm embrace, and I let them wrap around me, giving me a sense of calm that I haven't felt in hours. "Thank you," I whisper.
He leans against the tiled wall beside me, his broad chest barely an inch from my damp skin.
“Close your eyes,” he says. “Relax.” I take a deep breath, willing my heart rate to slow down. Hawk's touch turns into a caress, trailing his fingers down my cheek and along my jawline before settling on my neck. He pulls away then, and I hear the sound of his clothes falling to the floor.
My breath hitches in my chest. I can't see him, but I can feel the heat emanating from his naked body. I swallow as he steps closer, and now his wet, naked chest is flush against my back, his hardness pressed against my ass. His hands are over me, running hot water and soap along my back as he washes me.
“Tonight was too close. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you,” he whispers.
I swallow back my tears. “Me neither.”
His hands are slow, methodical, as if he has all the time in the world. I find myself arching my back into his touch. My exhausted body giving in to the sensation.
I feel his other hand caressing my stomach, slowly and sensually making its way upwards to my breast. He cups it, squeezing gently, thumb flicking over my hardened nipple.
He continues running his tough hands over me as though my soapy skin is as slick as glass.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he mutters. “I want you,” he nibbles the skin lightly on the edge of my ear, down my neck.
“Hawk...” I moan, my body flaming with desire.
Every touch, every sensation heightened tenfold in the aftermath of tonight's events.
“You don’t know how badly I’ve wanted you from the moment you first walked through the clubhouse doors.”
His words fan the flames of my desire, and I can't help but arch my back into his touch.
“I want you to feel safe with me, Izzy. I want you to know that we’ll always protect you.”
His hand slips lower, between my legs, and I gasp. He strokes me, ever so gently.
“You’re wet for me, aren’t you?” he asks, nibbling on my earlobe. “Tonight, we’re going to take our time. I want to savor every inch of this gorgeous body of yours,” he grunts, and I can feel his hardness pressing between my thighs.
I can only manage a whimper in response, leaning my head against his hard, muscular chest.
He continues stroking my clit, holding my wet body against his.
“I need you, Izzy. I need to feel you around me,” he growls, his voice thick with lust. He slowly slips two fingers inside me, curling them in a way that has me gasping.
“Oh, fuck, Izzy... you’re so tight,” he groans.
I feel his hard length pressed against my backside, and I arch my hips in response, wordlessly begging him to take me.
He turns me around and picks me up effortlessly, like
I weigh nothing. My legs wrap naturally around his waist, as if this is where they were always meant to be.
We meet each other's gaze in the steamy mirror, and I can see the hunger in his eyes, but there’s something else there too – a vulnerability that I never expected to find in him.
“Be a good girl and kiss me,” he says then, drawing my gaze back to him.
I lean in and brush my lips against his, our tongues entwining in a passionate dance. As he devours my mouth, his thick member presses against my core, teasing me with what's to come.
He pulls away and smirks, “I’ve got you all worked up, haven’t I?”
I blush. “You know you do.”
“God, you’re so beautiful, Izzy.”
His hand cups my ass, his grip firm as he grinds his erection against me. I moan into his mouth, unable to control myself any longer.
My back is pressed against the slippery tiles, and I can feel the water cascading over our heated bodies.
He steps closer, his muscular thighs bracketing my legs, and the hardness of his thick cock eases into me.
I gasp as he fills me, His pace is slow, torturous.
“You feel so fucking good,” he groans, his blue eyes locked on mine.
He picks up the rhythm then, driving himself deeper and deeper, harder and harder.
My senses are overwhelmed by the feeling of him inside of me, filling me completely and igniting my every nerve. I can hear the sound of our skin slapping together, the rushing water and our moans filling the steamy air.
“Fuck, Izzy,” he growls, his grip on my ass tightening. His hips pick up the pace, and we move as one.
His hand leaves my ass and finds my clit, rubbing it rhythmically in time with his thrusts.
The pressure builds deep within me, coiling tighter and tighter.
“H-Hawk, I’m gonna…”
“That’s it, baby. Cum for me. Let it all go,” he grunts, and I feel him twitch inside me.
He gives one last, deep thrust, and I explode around him, my orgasm rocking me to my core. His dreamy eyes land on me then.
He lifts me into his arms, shutting off the water.
“Come to bed with me, darling.” He hands me a towel. “I need to make sure you get some rest before we end Reynolds for good.”