Chapter 16 Hawk
Callie looked far too pale. She lost too much blood after being shot in the abdomen. How ironic that she would gain a similar wound and scar to the one I received the day we met.
Fucking Elliot Goodman.
I hope he rots in hell.
The bastard shot my woman and then tripped, squeezing the trigger on his fucking gun, firing into his chest. He got off way too fucking easy. I should have let the crow rip him to pieces. I sure wanted to but couldn’t do shit once I saw Callie had been shot.
I rushed her to the emergency room, but she never regained consciousness when we reached the hospital. They wheeled her away into surgery, and I never even fucking got to tell her that I loved her.
My heart felt heavy as I sank into the chair beside her bed, listening to the consistent beating of her heart on the monitor. For two days, she slept. Never once did she open her eyes.
The worst part? We never found Sadie. Or any hint about Agent Carson Phillips. Rael found the Dirty Death MC compound empty when the Reapers arrived. He said they’d try to track them down, but I knew the wolf left with his pack, Sadie, and the FBI agent.
Undertaker planned this. He wasn’t at the warehouse, and it pissed me off we missed our chance to hunt him down. The fucker played us. He dropped Elliot Goodman into our lap to take the asshole down, but he was only a temporary fix to the main problem.
Undertaker still had to atone for Rook’s murder. The club wouldn’t accept anything other than his death, and the crows wanted to be included in our revenge.
The television anchored to the wall in Callie’s room flashed the latest headlines.
For the last forty-eight hours, the media coverage of Mayor Elliot Goodman’s corruption scrolled across the screen.
Every social media outlet in the country posted about his criminal activities and connection to the missing women in the Las Vegas area.
Most people seemed shocked about it, and I heard the hospital staff gossiping.
The truth about his money laundering and theft hit the community hard.
Outside City Hall in Henderson, protestors rioted. The shit had hit the proverbial fan.
Reaching for Callie’s hand, I held it, lightly rubbing the skin with my thumb. I didn’t care how long it took her to wake up, but I wasn’t leaving until she did.
Claw sat across from me, playing cards on a folding table we brought with us. I didn’t see the fun in Solitaire, but he seemed relaxed, so I didn’t give him shit about it. Out of all my brothers, it surprised me that he was the one who remained here. I knew he had a dark past and hated hospitals.
“You don’t have to stay, man.”
“I don’t mind.”
“It’s fucking boring.”
“So? I’m not a toddler. I don’t have to be entertained every minute of the fucking day.”
Says the guy who’s played with cards for the last five hours without stopping.
“Yeah, okay. Just makin’ sure.”
He smirked. “If you need a potty break or something, just let me know.”
“Fucker.”
He laughed, slapping more cards on the table.
The door opened, and a nurse entered. She glanced at us but stared at Claw for longer than seemed polite. Clearing her throat, she checked on the monitors.
“She’s stable. You sure you don’t want a snack or take a walk? I can keep an eye on her until you return,” she offered.
“No. I’m good. Appreciate the offer, though.”
“No problem.” Her gaze drifted to Claw again. “What about you? Anything I can get for you?”
If that wasn’t an open invitation, I didn’t know what could be.
Claw lifted his head, sliding his gaze over her body with unhurried pleasure. I supposed she was pretty enough, but I wasn’t interested. Claw rose to his feet. “Got a coffee machine?”
“Right this way.”
I chuckled as they left, knowing he probably planned to fuck her in some supply closet. A month ago, I would have done it and not thought twice.
Funny how life could change in an instant.
A soft sigh caught my attention, and I turned, hope flashing through my body like a heatwave. I nearly teared up when Callie opened her eyes, murmuring my name.
“Baby, you’re awake.”
She frowned, blinking her eyes. “Thirsty.”
I lifted the cup on her bedside table and brought the straw to her lips. She drank a few tiny sips, then rested her head against the pillow.
“You know I don’t like to be called that.”
“I know. It slipped out.” Fuck. I couldn’t stop smiling.
“What’s the matter with you? You’re grinning like a fool.”
“I’m just happy to see you, sweetling. Missed those pretty gray eyes.”
“Hawk.”
“Renner,” I corrected. “Well, Renner James, to be exact.”
“Your real name?”
“Yep. I’d like to hear you say it the next time you’re coming on my tongue.”
A flush crept into her cheeks.
“You’ve been out for several days. Kinda worried me,” I admitted.
She moved her hand to her stomach, remembering the gunshot wound. “Am I okay?”
“Yes.”
“Can I still have babies?” Her eyes filled with tears, and my heart nearly shattered.
“I think so. I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to overstep.”
“I want to know. Now.”
Callie buzzed for the nurse’s station. “Send in a doctor, please. I need to talk to someone about my chart.”
The wait nearly killed me, but twenty minutes later, an older man in a white coat entered, greeting us. He had thick salt-and-pepper hair and a deep voice.
“How can I help you, Callie?”
“I was shot in the stomach. Can I still have children?”
The doctor blinked. “Well, yes.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“But how do you know it didn’t damage any of my reproductive organs?”
The doc smiled. “Good question. Well, we did some X-rays. There’s no internal bleeding. No trauma to any internal organs. You were lucky.”
Callie nodded, relieved.
“But you do have something in your file you should know about.”
Oh, shit.
“What is it?”
The doc looked unconcerned, but I felt like I would puke.
“You have nine months to figure it out.”
He waited for the news to sink in.
“I’m pregnant?”
“Yes. So early, you wouldn’t know yet, but we caught it. I’ll add prenatal pills to your prescription list. Congratulations!”
He excused himself, leaving us in stunned silence.
Holy fuck. I knocked up Callie. And holy motherfucking fuck, I was going to be a father.
“Are you okay?” Callie asked, squeezing my hand. “Happy?”
Hell yeah. It might be too soon for some, but not us. Fate brought us together and wasn’t letting us grow apart. I could accept that.
“I fucking love you, babe. This is amazing news.”
I couldn’t hold out any longer and leaned over, capturing those sweet lips I couldn’t taste or kiss enough.
Yeah, I planned on making Callie my ol’ lady as soon as she was discharged from the hospital.
And if she’d have me, I planned to marry her too.
“TAKE IT EASY, BABE. There’s no rush.” Hawk hovered as his hands settled on my waist, steadying me once we entered The Roost. The familiar leather and lemon scent filled me with a feeling I hadn’t experienced since I was a kid. Home.
“I’m fine.”
“Sweetling, you were shot in the stomach, kidnapped, and you’re having my baby. This is nothing compared to how protective I’m feelin’ right now.”
“He’s going to get worse,” Raven joked. “Trust me. I’m the same way with Bree. Maybe worse.”
My gaze shot to the inside of the bar, landing on Bree.
She shrugged. “Yeah. I’m preggers too.”
“Oh my God!” I squealed, rushing toward her. “This is so awesome! Our babies will grow up together.”
Her smile widened. “You’re right! I love it.”
Raven placed his hand over his heart, mouthing I love you.
She inhaled a deep breath and released it. “I’m so happy we’re doing this together, Raven.”
If I didn’t know better, I would swear that big silver fox blinked back tears.
I hugged Bree, thrilled not to be doing this alone. “Congrats, bestie.”
“Same to you, BFF.”
We snickered as we separated.
Bree cleared her throat. “Did you find Sadie?”
Sighing, I nodded. “Yes, and lost her again.”
“Oh no!”
I had to trust my sister. She asked me to give her time to sort out the complex triangle involving her, Undertaker, and Carson.
The situation worried me, but I couldn’t make her choices for her.
Sadie was the orchestrator of her own happiness.
Confused, I didn’t understand the connection that formed between her and that monster Undertaker.
Sadie never had a chance to elaborate other than she believed Undertaker held Carson prisoner.
I just hoped she didn’t plan to sacrifice herself for the FBI agent.
Maybe Hawk and the Devil’s Murder would find her before that occurred.
“We’re on it,” Hawk assured Bree. “The club won’t rest until Sadie is safe.”
I held out my hand, and he snaked his arm around me, dropping a kiss on my lips. I nearly melted into him.
His warm breath whispered into my ear. “You’re tired.”
Yawning, I rested my head against his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” he murmured into my ear. “You need rest.”
I didn’t argue. He was right.
The future may be unknown, but I had the devotion and protection of a man who would do anything for me and my sister in order to make our family whole.
That meant everything.
There were questions I wanted to ask, things I needed to learn about Hawk. I didn’t understand how he could change into a crow, and right now, it didn’t matter.
I knew I loved him. Fate could figure out the rest.
THE RANCID, MILDEW-saturated odor of the underground cell burned my nose. I fucking hated dragging Sadie down here, but she refused to cooperate after I sent Callie away.
My hand wrapped around her upper arm, tucking her close against my side as we descended into the bowels of the prison my pack built a century ago for those who tried to hunt us down.
Nothing changed in all that time. Humans were skittish and easily frightened of the supernatural. They didn’t understand we weren’t a threat as long as they left us in peace.
Not true, I argued in my head. Not when you let the vargulf loose.
Snarling, I stomped through puddles of muck with my boots, refusing to slow my pace. I didn’t want to listen to the argument. It didn’t change a damn thing.
“Where are we going?”
“To finish this.”
She was startled at my words. “Finish what?”
“The last connection I need to sever to claim you.”
For the first time, she fought me. Her fists pummeled my chest as I picked her up, arriving at the cell where Agent Carson Phillips had resided for the last couple of months.
“Put her down!” he shouted when he saw who I held. “Please!”
“No,” I huffed, clutching Sadie against me. My fingertips brushed her shoulder possessively.
She swatted them away with a frown. Her eyes widened when she took in the prisoner’s dirty, disheveled appearance. “Carson? Oh my God!”
“Sadie!” He reached through the bars, desperate to touch my female.
“Don’t touch my mate!” I roared, slamming a fist into the metal bars.
Carson stumbled, withdrawing his hands. His chest heaved as he shook his head. “I still don’t know what you want from me.”
“Her surrender.”
Carson’s features twisted into a snarl. “No!”
His pathetic cry did nothing to extend his life or change my mind. “Release her to me.”
He blinked. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You do,” I contradicted. “You know why you’re here. Sever your connection. Now.”
Sadie’s confused brown eyes watched the two of us. “I don’t know what’s happening.”
Carson smiled, fucking smiled at the female I coveted. “You’re worth it, Sadie. Every minute. Every sacrifice. All the love in my heart.”
Her stricken expression pleased me. This would be over soon.
“I need you to trust me, my love. Will you do that?”
Sadie reached for the metal bars, but I yanked her hands away. She sent a glare in my direction. “I will always trust you, Carson.”
“Good. Do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“I need you to run. Now!”
She darted toward the stairs as I swung my fist into the bars. Carson lifted his hands, chanting something I didn’t understand. As soon as the words left his mouth, I stumbled to my knees.
No!
The ground shook as my vision tunneled, all the light disappearing in an instant. Nothing but eternal black remained. Blinded, I cursed and roared my fury, unable to control the shift that followed. My body began to contort, transforming into the monster determined to gain control.
The vargulf unleashed, and his fury would reach across the entire state of Nevada.
Fuck.
My head began to pound as ringing flooded my ears.
The last thought in my head, taking hold above all others, was the reality that I would kill my mate and her lover.
The carnage would be magnificent.