Hawk (The Lost Saints MC #6)

One

Avianna

I push open the diner door, hearing the bell above ring.

The smell of frying bacon and brewing coffee hits my senses, making my stomach rumble and reminding me I have yet to eat anything since yesterday.

That probably has to do with the fact that after I pay my rent, I don’t have much left for food, so the only thing I eat is the free food here that Helen gives me.

She has been a godsend and hired me right on the spot when I rolled into town.

Well, more like I ran to town after I ran away from living with my uncle.

My idea was that if there was enough distance between us, he would forget about me and leave me be while I took refuge in The Lost Saints' territory.

I shake my head out of my deep thoughts as Helen walks out from the kitchen with a tray in her hand, loaded down with food.

Her smile lights up her face when she sees me standing there.

“Well, good morning, darling. Now you head on into the kitchen. Lyle has a plate with your name on it.” She winks at me as she passes by.

She is the first person in Bridgewater Bend who opened her arms to me, and I’m happy to call her a friend. “Thank you, Helen. I will be out when I’m done.”

“Take your time dear, I've got it for now.”

I walk into the kitchen, my feet killing me already, telling me that I’m in need of a brand new pair of shoes soon. Soon, I will be able to afford the things I need. I just have to hold on for another month, and my trust will be released to me on my twenty-first birthday.

“Good morning, Lyle.” I wave at Helen's husband. When I first met Lyle, he kind of scared me with how big he is; then I saw the way he treats Helen, and he treats her like a queen. He’s never raised his voice and treats me like I matter.

“Good morning, Avianna. Sit, sit, we can’t have you falling over in hunger now, can we?” Lyle yells from the back as he pulls stuff from the stockroom, making me smile. There is a plate of bacon, eggs and toast and a coffee waiting for me, making my mouth water.

I dig into my food until there’s nothing left; the food hitting the spot.

Being hungry sucks, but I’ve grown accustomed to not having food all the time.

My uncle made sure of that when I lived with him, as he monitored my every move and made sure to tell me he didn’t want me around.

I knew I had to leave because I overheard him one night with his friends saying that he’s just waiting until I get my inheritance, then I wouldn’t be his problem anymore and that he had big plans with that money.

I finish the last sip of my coffee and take my plate to the sink. “Thank you for breakfast Lyle, I'm going to head to the front and take over for Helen.”

He pokes his head from the back and smiles at me. “Send that wife of mine back here. I'm in need of some sugar.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I tie my apron around me and make my way to the front of the diner. The breakfast rush has slowed down as Helen drops the tray on the counter. “Lord, my feet are killing me.”

“Why don’t you go relax, Helen? I can take over. Besides, Lyle says to send you back because he’s in need of some sugar.” I give her a smirk as she swats my arm.

Her face goes red as she shakes her head. “That old fool. Hollar if you need me, darlin.”

I chuckle under my breath as I wipe down the counter.

One day I’m going to find a love like Helen and Lyle, and until then I won’t settle for less.

One man comes to mind as I picture his dark, penetrating eyes.

He comes to the diner almost daily, especially when I’m working.

He is a member of The Lost Saints MC, and every time he comes in, it’s as if my body knows he’s here.

Shivers run down my spine, but not in a bad way.

He’s a ten and, well, I have too much baggage to even think he would even want someone like me.

I make a fresh pot of coffee as the bell above the door goes off, and without turning around, I know exactly who just walked in the door.

I blow out a breath and plaster on a smile, but my insides are shaking like crazy.

Get it together, Avianna, he's just another customer.

A very hot customer that I want to do wicked things to, but a customer all the same.

I turn around and all the air in my lungs gets sucked out of me as I can see Hawk sitting in his usual booth in the back with his back to the wall.

The man misses nothing and always seems to be on high alert.

Today there’s something different about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.

He’s wearing jeans that hug his thick thighs and do amazing things to his ass.

A tight black henley that looks like it’s going to rip from all his muscles and his cut sitting on top.

He rolled up his sleeves to show his many tattoos.

I walk over with my pad of paper in my hand and the pot of coffee as I try not to trip over my own feet because wouldn’t that just be awesome.

As I reach the table, Hawk is already watching me with an intense look in his eyes.

Helen is usually the one who waits on the MC.

Though since I pretty much stalk the man when he is here, I know his order like the back of my hand.

He always gets the breakfast special, and when he comes in for lunch or dinner, he gets the burger minus the onions and tomatoes.

What? Just because I hide like a big chicken when he comes in doesn’t mean I’m not watching through the door.

“Good morning, darlin. Is Helen not working today?” His voice is rough, as if he doesn’t use his voice often, and it makes my heart race.

“Good morning. Helen is taking a break with Lyle in the back, something about him needing his fix of sugar. I can get her for you if you prefer?”

I really hope he takes me up on it because if I stay any longer I’m liable to say something weird and embarrass myself.

My hands shake as I fill his cup with coffee.

If he notices, he doesn’t say anything, which I’m grateful for.

I watch as Hawk’s shoulders shake in silent laughter, and I’m transfixed by the smile on his face. “That sounds like Lyle. Those two have been in love since high school. It's best to leave them be. But I will take the breakfast special.”

I smile at him. “I will place your order for you.”

As I walk away, I can feel his eyes on me as I place his order at the window and hand it to Max, the cook.

It takes no time for Hawk’s food to be ready, as he’s the only customer here, and I pick it up and walk it back over to him, placing it on the table.

“Let me know if you need anything.” I walk away quickly and go behind the counter and start filling up the salt and pepper shakers just to keep my hands busy.

From the corner of my eye, I see Hawk eating his breakfast.

I just can’t seem to help myself. The man is hot, and the fact that he’s in the MC really does it for me.

He gives off ??brooding yet mysterious vibes, but I know there’s also a side to him that could hurt someone.

I hear people whisper about them in the diner, but I know from Helen they are good, solid people who do a lot for the town.

I’ve seen the way the rest of the men in the MC are with their ole ladies; they treat them like queens.

I sigh as I continue to fill the shakers because there’s no sense in dreaming of something I know I can’t have.

God, what I wouldn’t give to be a normal twenty-year-old.

To be able to go to the movies with my friends, fall in love, or just go to the mall and hang out and buy things without fear of choosing between paying rent or buying food.

Once I’m finished, I reluctantly lift my head and see Hawk looking right at me as he’s finished his breakfast.

I rub my shaky hands over my apron and walk over to his table.

Picking up his plate, I turn, but before I can walk away; he takes? hold of my hand, and it feels like an electrical current runs throughout my entire body.

“Sit with me.” He has a pleading look in his eyes, and I’m sure mine are as big as saucers. He softens his look and smiles at me. “Please.”

I look around the diner and no one is here, so I nod my head as I take the seat across from him.

To stop my knees from shaking, I lock them together.

I look around everywhere but at Hawk. The man makes me nervous, but not in a bad way.

His hand on top of mine startles me, making me jump, not having expected it.

“Avianna, I want you to know you don’t have to be scared of me. I’m not going to hurt you. I would kill anyone who put their hands on you.” His words are intense, and by the look in his eyes, I know he means what he says.

I relax in my seat, letting the tension in my shoulders drop. Old habits resurface from years of living with my abusive uncle. I know in my heart Hawk won’t hurt me, so I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

He sits back against the booth, looking relaxed with an easy smile on his face. “So, how do you like working here?”

Okay, an easy topic I can work with. “I like it. You get to meet a lot of interesting people. And Helen and Lyle have been amazing since I came to Bridgewater Bend.”

“Helen and Lyle are good people and have been a staple in this community since the beginning. Where did you move from?” His questions are innocent enough, but I stiffen because no one can know what I’ve been through. There is no need to drag them into my mess.

I push a piece of hair behind my ear, a nervous habit of mine. “I um came from the next two towns over. I just needed a fresh start.” Not a lie, but definitely not the entire truth either, and by the look in Hawk’s eye, I know he knows it too.

He nods his head, but thankfully doesn’t call me out on my lie. “What about school? Is there something you want to do?”

At that, I full out smile. “I finished school already. Graduated top of my class. But I haven’t been able to find a job in accounting yet.” School was my one safe haven from Uncle Jamie and his abusive ways.

“That’s amazing, darlin. You should be proud of your accomplishments. I may be able to help with that. Our president Blade’s ole lady Hailey is looking for a replacement for all the accounting on our businesses now that she’s pregnant. She wants to focus more on getting ready to be a mom.

So we’ve been on the lookout for someone to take over. It would save us from having to do it ourselves. Lord knows how many computers Joker has thrown out the window because he got mad at the thing. It also comes with a fully furnished apartment above the garage rent free if you want the job.”

I sit there stunned. Hawk is offering me not only a job but also better stability for myself. And it comes with a fully furnished apartment, rent-free. This could change everything for me. Before I’m able to answer me the bell above the door goes off, letting me know I have a customer.

“Go. Take care of the customer; I'm not going anywhere.” He winks at me, making my heart beat wildly.

I get up on shaky legs and turn around to greet my customer, when all the air leaves my lungs because standing there is my Uncle Jamie with a smug smile on his face. Oh no, he found me, and he doesn’t look too happy.

“Uncle Jamie.” I whisper in horror as my body shakes with fear. No, this can’t be happening. He's found me, and he's going to drag me back with him.

“Hello niece. Long time no see. I think it’s time you got your stuff. You're coming back home with me.”

I stand rooted to the spot, fear taking over as he makes a grab for my arm, but before he can, Hawk is there, pulling me behind him, shielding me with his body.

I peek behind his back to see some prospects coming through the door as well.

It's like I'm having an out-of-body experience watching this because this can't be my life.

He grabs a hold of Uncle Jamie's hand and bends it backwards until he is shouting in pain on the floor.

“You’d dare to touch what’s mine, you're going to pray for death. Prospects, take this piece of shit trash out and drop him off in the middle of nowhere.”

The prospects grab Uncle Jamie, and Hawk steps forward one more time, getting in his face.

“If I ever see you in Bridgewater Bend again or anywhere near Avianna, you're dead.”

The prospects take my struggling uncle out of the diner, but not before he delivers one last message. “This isn’t over, Avianna, do you hear me? This isn’t over.” He yells as he’s dragged out the door.

My body shakes in fear because I know this time he means it; he’s going to kill me.