Chapter Seven
Hawkeye watched her.
The little minx caused him more trouble than she was worth.
He wanted to be furious, but truth was, he liked her fiery spirit. She did the right thing by fleeing, and yet it had been a big mistake. People who’d suffered trauma could react in many ways. This woman though, she had found her backbone.
When she’d told him about the death of her grandmother, he’d wanted to show her kindness.
Hell, even draw her in for a hug. He wasn’t a hugger though.
Yet, seeing the emotion displayed in her expression, strong, pure, and painful, he was time traveled back to his Ma’s death.
He knew the teeter-totter Margo referred to.
The fluid path between wanting their pain to end while not wanting to let go.
He rubbed his hand across his forehead, disrupting the train of his thoughts.
Get yourself together, man.
This was exactly why he had to get rid of her things into the dumpster.
The second she felt a bit off balance she would have done something stupid, like using her phone or one of her cards to grab an Uber.
That could bring hell down around them. Who the fuck knew if she had a tracer on her. Better to be cautious than regretful.
He blew out a disgruntled exhale. She headed back to Davani.
This wasn’t child’s play. These people were serious and right now, she was a liability that Hawkeye didn’t need or want in his life.
He blamed himself, partly. He’d been hoping for some action, and the universe had listened.
He felt he might get all the action he bargained for and some he didn’t want.
He crossed the street before he got to the strip club. The last thing he needed was the distraction by the woman on the sidewalk who still stood there in that seductive dress that looked more revealing as the day moved on. She was busily working on a priest who looked like a fish caught in a snare.
Hawkeye kept his focus on what was ahead. Until he knew what the hell was going on he needed to get Margo back in his protective space. Out here on the sidewalk everyone and anyone could mean them harm.
She mingled in with the crowd, and he shook his head, clenching his jaw until he tasted blood.
If it wasn’t for not wanting to attract attention, he would have hauled her up over his shoulder and carried her away.
What little he knew about her already, she’d kick and scream and have a dozen people breathing down his neck in seconds.
A loud backfiring of a car’s exhaust made Hawkeye jump in alarm. He just about came unglued but he focused on his breathing that calmed his nerves—just like the therapist had told him to do at times like this.
He started to reach inside his front pocket for one of the pills the therapist had prescribed him, but he dropped his hand away empty. He was okay. He could move beyond the hurdle on his own.
His pulse slowed. The sweat on his forehead dried. His vision was no longer blurry.
Up ahead, he saw Margo look over her shoulder as if she was searching for him with no luck. He had the skill to hide within feet without her knowing. He’d lost bragging rights because he’d failed with Leo. Hell, it had been an intentional slip-up on Hawkeye’s part.
Hawkeye pondered…was this a test? To see if he’d come to her rescue.
He had half a mind to teach her a lesson and leave her on her own, but as irritated as she made him, he knew if she was a target she wouldn’t live past twenty-four hours without his protection.
Hawkeye just hadn’t figured out yet how she played a role in all this.
He doubted that she was a target, but she could very well be one now, especially with her going back to the scene with the subtlety of an elephant dancing in a pink tutu down the street.
Although they’d done a decent job of cleaning the blood off her face and hands, there were traces of crimson on her shoes and in her hair.
Hawkeye watched as she stopped near the cop, but she bolted passed him.
Maybe she was talking some sense into herself.
Where would she go, he wondered.
Home. She was the type to go home.
He pulled her driver’s license from his front pocket where he’d managed to hide it when he walked out of the alley. There he found her current address. He shoved it back into his jeans. They were about three blocks from her apartment.
Hawkeye passed the officer who was taking statements. He seemed as interested in the chore as the man across the street who cleaned the windows of the theater.
Back at the scene, Hawkeye snuck in a glance in every direction.
The shooter must have been hiding in one of the shops—no, above a shop in one of the empty apartments.
Police were swarming like ants. They’d already taped off the crime area, but this was out of their league. The feds would be called in.
Hawkeye would have liked to spend more time observing the area and figuring out where the shooter had hidden, check for anything left behind, but at this point he couldn’t manage it with one eye on Margo and the other on the dangers.
In fact, she was no longer alone. She was talking to a man with large sunglasses and wearing a grey suit.
That didn’t take long at all.
More than likely this guy wasn’t the shooter but possibly a lookout. Or the sweeper who came along to clean up the mess. Could even be a detective, but that would be just as deadly.
Margo tried to pull away but the bastard had his hand on her. Hawkeye gritted his teeth. No, this wasn’t a detective.
Hawkeye strategically played out every outcome in his head outside of taking his gun out of his boot and shooting the suited man. There was some distance between them and no clear shot. The man in the Top Gun sunglasses had the upper hand now.
A thought subdued Hawkeye. Could the shooter be close? Ready to shoot if necessary. That meant Margo would be shot before Hawkeye could do anything to save her.
Dragging out his phone, he clicked photos of the suited man. At least he’d have that much.
Margo and the man were on the move, picking up pace on the sidewalk.
Picking up his own pace, Hawkeye shoved his way through the crowd, a little roughly, not caring about hurt feelings. He was called names, but he’d been called worse by those whose opinions mattered.
Standing over a foot taller than most of the crowd was an advantage.
He could see ahead as the suited man whisked Margo around a building.
Hawkeye moved quickly, seeing her again when he rounded the corner.
The crowd was thinner in this area so he could move faster.
Now there was only a hundred feet or less between them.
Hawkeye’s gun burned a hole in the ankle holster, but there were too many innocent people still, and he didn’t want to put Margo’s life in more danger.
Although, the theory that there was a hidden shooter disintegrated.
They were moving too fast and too far. Standing just ahead were two uniformed officers patrolling the area.
Hawkeye knew it was now or never. This was the best chance Hawkeye had to keep her safe.
“Sweetheart, there you are!” he shouted, making everyone on the sidewalk stop and look, including the man in the suit who had his hand clasped around Margo’s elbow.
So far, so good.
Hawkeye made eye contact with Margo. She must have read the silent message because she said in a whimsical voice, “There you are, darling! I was looking all over for you.”
The police officers now focused their attention on Margo, observing her with a mix of curiosity and admiration. All officers in uniform would remain vigilant while a killer was on the loose in the vicinity.
Hawkeye could feel the suited man’s glare from behind the dark glasses.
His expression turned hard. After some hesitation, he released his hold on Margo.
Keeping his head down he took two backward steps then turned and pushed his way around people on the sidewalk.
Hawkeye wanted to chase after him, but that would be a mistake.
He must keep his focus on Margo and her safety.
She came rushing toward him. Fear invaded her pretty features.
Once she approached him, she didn’t say anything but walked into his awaiting arms. He wasn’t sure if this was for show, or she was grateful to see him.
Either way, he wrapped his arms around her and reciprocated the hug.
He hoped it would give her as much solace as it did for him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered against the top of her head, not caring that they were still the center of attention.
“No.” She didn’t even try to put on a brave face. Her shoulders shook. Had she finally reached a breaking point in all this mess?
Oh, brother. This wasn’t the time or place.
“Wipe your tears,” he demanded in a faint voice as he saw the officers slowly approaching. “We have company.”
“Is everything okay here?” one of the cops asked.
“She’s fine,” Hawkeye said gruffly. The day just kept going downhill. “She was lost. Right, honey?”
She took a step back but stayed at his side. Her eyes were noticeably red. “Right,” she muttered.
“Ma’am?” The officer tried to make eye contact with Margo.
“Y-yes, I’m fine. My husband and I got into an argument.
He can say the most hurtful things at times.
You know what I mean?” Margo sniffed loudly, using her emotions to her advantage.
The officer –Officer Jhett according to his name badge—nodded enthusiastically as if he completely understood how stupid men could be at times.
“I got angry and walked away from him, then found myself lost. We’re not from around here.
Out of towners. Now we’re okay, right, honey?
” She met Hawkeye’s gaze in silent validation.
Hawkeye folded her deeper in the crook of his arm, kissing her forehead. Although it was all pretend, the sudden awareness below his waist was very real. He needed to get himself back on track. “Do you forgive me, sweetheart?”
“Of course.” Her smile was saccharine sweet.
“Is there a problem here, Jhett?” the second officer asked impatiently.
At this point Hawkeye just wanted to tell them to mind their own fucking business and move on, but he bit down on his tongue.
Patience was required. Flashing them his badge wasn’t an option either, even if he had it with him.
In law enforcement land, Texas Heat Recon no longer existed. They were completely off grid.
Jhett hesitated then gave a little shrug. “Nah, we’re good. Sorry to bother you, folks. We had an accident around the corner and we’re just being cautious. You two have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you,” Margo said.
Hawkeye kept his arm around her, making it a few steps when he heard, “Ma’am?” It was the cop again.
She swiveled. “Yes, Officer?”
“Is that blood?” Mr. Observant pointed at a penny-size speckle of blood on her white Converse. Hawkeye could respect that the officer was doing his job.
“Blood?” She pretended to be surprised as she examined her shoe.
“Oh my. I’m such a klutz. Lunch. Linguine with red sauce.
” She laughed. “We have a running joke that I should bring a bib with me to every restaurant.” She pressed her palm into the center of Hawkeye’s chest as if to silently ask him to let her handle the situation.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Jhett tapped his partner’s shoulder. “Come on, Hoover. We’ve kept this nice couple long enough.”
Hoover nodded. “Good day to you both. Be safe.”
Once they were down the sidewalk a piece, Hawkeye leaned in and said near her ear. “Are you going to try that stunt again?”
She looked up at him through her damp lashes, still wearing that fake smile that showed off her even teeth.
“Let’s get something straight. You would not be helping me unless you wanted the package.
I’m guessing it’s pretty important. This is a collaboration.
A business agreement. You protect me, and in exchange I will give you the package.
That’s two weeks of an unspoken contract. Do we have a deal?”
She was smart. He found that attractive. Her feistiness might be the thing that would keep her alive. “Fine.”
“If you and I are going to make this work we’re going to have to trust each other or at least agree to be equal partners.”
Hell, she made a good point. He was learning she wasn’t the damsel in distress he first thought she’d be. She had grit. “I don’t need your trust. I just need you to listen.” He almost laughed at her combative expression. At least she was no longer teary-eyed.
“You need to stop being so rude, Hawkeye. I’m not a dog who must obey your commands. I didn’t choose to be involved in this, and I most certainly would choose another path if it were possible.”
“Something tells me you know more about Davani than you pretend to know.” He couldn’t show too many of his cards at once.
“And you’d be wrong.” Once they rounded the building, she pulled away from his hold.
“Did you recognize the man who was with you?” he asked.
“Dark sunglasses. Suit. Look, there’s one. And another. Again, another.” She pointed at several businessmen who were either coming or going to work.
“Smartass,” he mumbled.
“You don’t like it, do you? You can dish it but can’t receive it,” she said.
“It’s not my job to coddle you,” he said in a low voice.
She rolled her eyes. “No, I didn’t recognize the asshole who tried to kidnap me.
He said he was a detective with the police department, but he wouldn’t show me a badge or ID.
Then he became very angry when I questioned him, much like someone else I know.
” She targeted Hawkeye in her glare. “He didn’t say much other than that he’d hurt me if I screamed.
I’m tired. I want to take a long shower and change my clothes.
I’m going to my apartment. Thankfully I still have my key. ”
“Wait.” He stopped her with his hand on her shoulder. Remembering how the suited man had been gripping her, Hawkeye removed his hand. The last thing she needed was to be man-handled. “You can’t go back.”
She swung around. “What do you mean?”
He brought his hand up and made circular motions with his thumb on his temple, knowing a dam was about to break “Have you already forgotten what just happened? If it hadn’t been for me, you’d be fish bait. These men, they know who you are.” Would that be enough to convince her?
She stared back at him, blinking. “What am I supposed to do? All my work. My laptop. My things are there. It’s my home.”
“Can we get off the street and then we can talk calmly. We’re nothing more than sitting ducks here.”
For the first time she didn’t argue, and he was grateful. But he knew her acquiescence wouldn’t last long.