23. Onyx
ONYX
Islide the divider between the main room and the bar out of the way with Pearl, see the spread the guys have laid out for lunch and meet Hawg’s eyes head on. I’ve never been one to need a man to do for me, always finding a way to do it on my own, but this man is different.
For some reason, he doesn’t make me feel helpless for needing or wanting his help but empowered by the way he wants to protect me. It’s a feeling that I’m still settling into, not one that comes naturally at all. But for him, I’m more than willing to give it a try.
He comes to stand beside me and grabs a plate as I layer my burger high with all the toppings and scoop some macaroni salad and coleslaw. “This looks delicious. Thanks for doing all this.”
Hawg laughs, something else I’m getting used to and finding that I like a lot. “I had some help. Carver and I thought we better earn our keep while you ladies were solving all the problems of the world.”
I grin as we take our plates over to a small table in the corner by the stage and set them down. “You want a drink?” Hawg asks. “We’ve got some beers, soda, and water in the fridge. Carver made a run to the store.”
“I’ll take a water, thanks.”
He heads back to the kitchen and returns with two bottles of water, opening them each before handing one to me. Why is grilled food so delicious? “This burger,” I say, after swallowing a bite, “so good. Better be careful or all the ladies will have you on grill duty.”
Hawg’s smoldering blue eyes twinkle with amusement. “Who cooks around here most of the time?” he asks.
“We all take turns, with the exception of Pearl. She offers plenty, but she’s too busy trying to keep this place afloat. Every time we think we’re going to get ahead something else throws a wrench into our plans.”
His brow furrows. “You ladies okay moneywise?”
I nod. “We are. You didn’t mention the job the Larussios have for us.”
He chews his food, contemplating what I said before swallowing. “No, I thought we better tell Pearl and see how she wanted to approach the situation with you ladies before I mentioned it, but she said she was going to talk to you about it at church today.”
I nod. “She did. I would hate to be the DeSantis family right now with the Larussios on their tail. First they run drugs in Vegas and now they find out they had another load of women they snatched and were running to the border after the Larussios warned them what would happen if they ever did it again. Those ladies are lucky the Larussios were out looking for the DeSantis crew. Sounds like we’re going to take all six of them in for a while.
At least until the truck Duchess sends from up north arrives. ”
Hawg nods. “It means another run to Vegas to ride back with the truck, but you ladies won’t be alone. The Royal Bastards are going to make this ride with you too.”
“Okay, Pearl said we’re doing the job but didn’t say you were coming with us.”
A couple of the ladies finished with their meals pass our table on the way out to the back and I notice one of Hawg’s men following them. “How long are we going to have the babysitters?”
“Fair question. Until we know that you’re safe from the Desert Riders and I personally don’t think you are until we get some things ironed out with them. Carver and I have a plan to get rid of that problem, and it won’t be long.”
The old me of just a week ago would have rebelled at the idea of Hawg and Carver trying to take care of our problems, but this feeling of having someone in your life who wants to show up and protect you from the evil in the world, it’s growing on me.
“I have to admit, it would be nice to be free of them once and for all, and no offense but to get rid of the babysitters, too. Some of them are cramping the ladies’ style. ”
Hawg laughs, a deep belly laugh. “I don’t recall any complaints last night, baby.”
I push the last few bits of macaroni around on my plate, getting full. “Now that type of babysitting, you can do anytime.”
“That’s my girl,” he says, giving me a grin that makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter like I’ve never been flirted with before.
I exhale a deep breath and finish the bottle of water. “I should help the ladies get the safe room set up. We still need to set up more cots, and get all the bedding ready, extra supplies, you name it.”
Hawg gives me a grin. “Actually, I have just the person. He needs something to do.”
I glance up as one of his new recruits walks in from the back. I lean in and whisper. “You’re a bad, bad man, Hawg.”
“Yeah, you don’t know just how bad I can be, but while he’s getting that room set up, you’re going to find out.”