Epilogue
Hawk got us in and out of Heartstone Manor in less than thirty minutes, dragging Griffen off with Blake for explanations while I took the elevator up to our room to pack our things and shower as fast as humanly possible. When I made my way back downstairs, I half expected to find West waiting with his deputies. Griffen was open-minded, but he was also my big brother.
The front hall was empty when I got there, carrying a backpack stuffed with enough clothes for both of us for a few days. Despite the craziness of the day so far, I still felt a little giddy, like I was skipping school. The picnic hike had been my last of the week, and my ankle needed a break. It was the perfect time to play hooky, and I was dying to meet the Sinclairs and get a glimpse of the life Hawk had lived before he came to Heartstone Manor.
Griffen, Hawk, and Blake emerged into the hall, Blake and Griffen with serious expressions, Hawk wearing a smile in his dark eyes. He spotted the backpack.
“Is that for both of us?”
“Yep.” Before he could ask, I shrugged off the pack and handed it to him.
He slung it over his shoulder, turning to Griffen. “We’ll be back in a day or two. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble here while we’re gone.”
We still didn’t know who had hired the guy who’d broken into Harvey’s office to get the necklace, or who the necklace belonged to, but I didn’t care. That was a tomorrow problem.
“We’re covered if we do. You and Quinn have fun. We’ll take turns keeping an eye on your monster cat.” He gave Blake a nod and followed us all to the door.
While I’d been upstairs, someone had brought Hawk’s big SUV around to the front of the house. Hawk opened the passenger door and lifted me in, leaning across me to fasten my seat belt. I knew he knew I could do it myself, but then he wouldn’t have an excuse to press a quick kiss to my lips as he snapped my belt in place. Blake took the back seat.
I fell asleep in the car, probably from the hike up the side of the mountain on a bum ankle. More likely from the adrenaline letdown. Three hours later, I opened my eyes as we pulled to a stop in Atlanta’s congested afternoon traffic. Squinting out the window into the bright sun at a sea of glass, metal, and exhaust, I mumbled, “So many cars,” and let my eyes drift shut.
I opened them again as we pulled into a parking garage, the gate raising automatically at our approach. We drove down, pulling into a spot by the elevators marked Guest. A door opened, and a tall, dark-haired man emerged, his ice-blue eyes bright, a smile beaming from his handsome face.
“Cooper Sinclair,” Hawk said before getting out of the car and rounding the front, meeting Cooper for a back-slapping hug.
Blake, Hawk, and I were sucked into a whirlwind of Sinclairs, all tall, dark, and broad-shouldered like Cooper. They accepted Blake into their midst with little comment, and couldn’t stop beaming at me beside Hawk. It was impossible to miss their joy for their friend, or his at showing me off. I’d never thought of myself as a woman that a man would want to show off. I wasn’t what society considered particularly beautiful or glamorous. I was just Quinn. But to Hawk, just Quinn was more than enough.
I expected the Sinclairs to drag Blake off to a conference room or something, but instead we went upstairs for drinks and an early dinner. Takeout arrived, and we ate at the long dining table in the penthouse apartment Cooper shared with his wife Alice, who also served as the office manager at Sinclair Security. I had a feeling there was very little that went on here that Alice didn’t know. Knox’s wife, Lily, had stayed home with all the kids, and Evers’s wife, Summer, was out of town with a celebrity client, but I met the infamous Lucas Jackson and his wife, Charlie Winters.
Lucas was a little scary, taller and broader than every other man in the room, with dark hair and intense green eyes. At his side, Charlie was a bright spark, beautiful and funny, and more than enough to keep up with him. Other than my sisters, I didn’t know many women who came from families like mine. Charlie was a Winters, her family even more influential and notorious than my own. One complaint about overbearing brothers and we’d bonded. The second Griffen decided Heartstone was secure, I was determined to invite her for a visit.
In the end, we stayed two nights, the trip to Atlanta a revelation. I”d seen Hawk relax with Griffen a few times. I thought I knew what he was like when he loosened up. But not like this. These people were his family, like Griffen was his family, and now we were surrounded by them, all so happy to see him, happy he was with me. I was hugged and gently teased, welcomed thoroughly, leaving me with no doubt how much Hawk was loved. His wide smile told me he knew it, too.
That first night, after dinner, we went back downstairs to the safe house apartment the Sinclairs had given us for our visit. Blake was in a similar apartment across the hall. It was early, but we were both exhausted. After watching Blake’s door close and lock behind him, Hawk turned to me with a gleam in his dark eyes.
“Finally alone,” he said, backing me into our apartment and crowding me through the living room and into the bedroom.
I decided to make it easy on him and jumped, throwing my arms around his neck and wrapping my legs around his waist. Hawk caught me with a laugh, his arms tightening, his head dipping to rub his scruffy cheek against my neck.
“I loved meeting your family,” I said, my breath catching as his teeth closed over my jaw in a claiming bite.
“They loved meeting you. Alice was starting to think I made you up.”
“Why did she think that?” I asked on a gasp, my head falling back as Hawk kissed down my neck, nuzzling my collarbone.
“Because I told her you were a fairy who sleeps with the bears and other woodland creatures, and rescued a mountain lion from the pound. And I told her you were the perfect woman.”
“Not perfect,” I said on a sharp exhale as I bounced on the mattress.
Hawk came down on top of me, his clever fingers going straight to the button of my jeans, stripping me naked before I could get my breath. “Perfect for me. The most perfect woman on the planet, and the only one for me.”
I didn’t get the chance to respond. Hawk’s mouth closed over mine as I pulled at his shirt and unzipped his pants, desperate for him to be as naked as I was. After being kidnapped, forced to hike on my bum ankle, and then driving to a completely different state, I wouldn’t have thought I had the energy for more than slow, lazy sex. Maybe after a nap.
Hawk proved me wrong. The second I felt his warm, naked skin against mine, the length of his cock nudging me, I went wild. I couldn’t get him inside me fast enough. I needed him filling me; needed to claim him as mine now that the danger was gone and we were just us. Hawk and Quinn, two people in love. Two people meant for each other.
He must have felt the same way. He pushed forward, his cock filling me, the stretch, as always, at once almost too much and exactly enough. When he was seated to the hilt, he stopped for a heartbeat, his forehead pressed to mine. He was completely silent, except for the rasp of his breath, but I heard him anyway.
I love you.
I sank my fingers into his shoulders and held on for the ride, my own words spilling from my lips with every thrust.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Until I couldn’t speak at all and screamed out my orgasm instead, my heart so full I thought it might burst in my chest. After, Hawk brought me a warm, wet washcloth and cleaned me up, peppering kisses along my collarbone and whispering, “Good thing Coop had the safe houses soundproofed.”
I was still giggling when he slipped into bed and pulled me into his arms.
“We have to talk,” he said, his words serious but his eyes still laughing.
“About what?” I asked.
“About my plan.”
“You have a plan?” I reached up to rub my palm along his cheek, loving the rasp of his end-of-the-day beard. “If you grow this out, you’d look like a real mountain man.”
“You want me to grow it out?” he asked, letting me rub his cheek like I was petting Leo. I could almost feel his purr.
“Definitely,” I said. “Now tell me about your plan. Does it involve moving into the cabin for two weeks and having nonstop sex? Because I’m on board for that.”
“Kind of,” Hawk admitted, looking a shade bashful for a second.
“Really?” I pushed up on my elbows and stared at him, enthusiastic and intrigued. “Tell me more.”
“It involves me marrying you in the clearing where you used to hang your hammock after I have a chance to plant some flowers and build an arbor. And then a two-week honeymoon in the cabin.”
I loved the picture he was painting in my mind. “Is this a proposal?” I asked, not seeing a ring and not caring in the least.
“No, not yet,” he said, shaking his head. “I have to find your ring first. That might take a while. And you need a little time to make sure.”
I captured his face between my palms to stop his shaking head. “I don’t need time, and I don’t need a ring.”
“Maybe not,” Hawk said, pressing a slow kiss to my lips. “But ever since I realized I didn’t just want you, that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I’ve had a picture in my head of the ring I want to put on your finger. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to wear a ring. I know you don’t wear much jewelry. But I need to give it to you.”
“Then I’ll wear it for the rest of my life,” I said, punctuating my vow with a kiss. “As long as I get to keep you with me until we get engaged, you can take all the time you need.”
“I”m not going anywhere,” he said, stroking his hand down my hair. “I know how lucky I am. And I know I don”t deserve you. But I don”t care. I’m keeping you anyway.”
I didn’t argue. I was planning to spend the rest of my life proving to Hawk exactly how much he did deserve me. Because, like him, I knew exactly how lucky I was. I”d had a crush on him since the day he”d shown up at Heartstone Manor. A crush based on the gut instinct that Hawk Bristol was something special. But that crush, as powerful as it had been, was nothing next to what I felt now: a love so deep I knew it would last for the rest of my life.
We spent the next day packing in all the family time we could before we had to go back to Sawyers Bend. I spent some of the day hanging at Alice’s desk, watching the comings and goings at Sinclair Security. The professional environment was mysterious and intimidating at first, then more than a little stifling. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the people out there in the city, and the cars and the concrete, and the way the air smelled. As wonderful as everyone was, I could only take the city for so long. I missed my trees.
Hawk woke me the second day with a long, slow kiss. “Ready to go home?” he asked.
“I love your people, and we should come back soon, but yes,” I said. Remembering the message I’d gotten late the night before, I continued. “And Sterling texted to say that Leo won’t stop yowling at the door to our rooms. She said every time she opens it, and he sees it’s not us, Leo glares at her and goes back to sulk on the sofa. If we don’t get home soon, he might shred the room in protest. Even Griffen hasn’t had luck calming him down. I don’t know what he’s going to do when the dog shows up.”
Hawk had laughed and carried me to the shower. It took only a few minutes to pack. We swung by the office on our way out.
I wasn’t surprised to find Lucas Jackson and Blake side by side, staring at lines of code on a monitor, deep in a discussion I couldn’t hope to understand.
Blake swung his chair around, reaching out a hand to shake mine. “I owe you, Quinn Sawyer,” he said. I started to demur, but he shook his head, squeezing my hand a little harder before letting go. “No. You extended me the grace of a forgiveness I didn’t earn,” he said, his formal words striking me silent. “I owe you,” he repeated. “But even if I didn”t, I would tell you—” He glanced up to Hawk. “It”s going to take some digging to find out who hired that jackass, Randell, and sent him after the necklace. I”m going to find him for you.”
“It’s not like we haven’t looked,” Lucas said wryly, standing to give Hawk a one-armed hug in farewell.
“You looked,” Blake said, lifting his chin at Lucas. “But I haven’t looked.”
“Arrogant,” Lucas said under his breath, but it was with a smile. I had a feeling Emmet Blake was going to stick around Sinclair Security for a while.
Evers came around the corner, a wide grin on his face that I thought hid a little sadness at saying goodbye so quickly after Hawk’s return.
“You sure you aren’t coming back to Atlanta?” Evers asked.
“Hell no,” Hawk said, his arm around my waist. “Once things calm down a little more at Heartstone, I’ll have time to get the grounds in shape. And Quinn doesn’t like the traffic in Atlanta.”
I shook my head. I definitely did not like the traffic. “I’ll take bears over cars any day,” I said with a laugh. “But we’ll be back for more visits. And once we get the Manor in better shape, you can all come visit whenever you want. It’s not that far. Griffen would love it. We all would.”
Evers gave me a tight hug, leaning down to whisper, “Take care of him. He’s one of the best men I know.”
“I will,” I promised. It was an easy promise to make.
The ride back to Sawyers Bend was quiet. It was one of the things I loved most about Hawk—he wasn’t a big talker. He didn”t mind listening to me talk, but he also liked the quiet. Most people chattered just to fill the quiet as if silence was a threat. Not Hawk. He drove, his fingers twined with mine, both of us watching as the flat land rolled upward into the mountains, the wet spring landscape flashing by, a hint of green on the trees.
I let my mind wander, thinking of the work Parker was doing on our gatehouse, and the dog—our dog—on her way in only a few short weeks. I still wasn’t sure I needed a guard dog, but Hawk had shown me the videos his friend Remy had sent of her following his commands, and I’d fallen headfirst in love. She was fierce and smart, and she was going to be mine. Ours.
My thoughts drifted to the hikes I wanted to take Hawk on after my ankle was fully healed. He”d mentioned he liked fishing. I had a few secret spots I rarely shared with clients but couldn’t wait to share with Hawk.
I was still half in my daydreams when we walked into the Manor, only a little late for dinner. Thanks to a last-minute text, our places at the table were set and waiting for us. I wasn’t expecting the raised voices that greeted us, arguments shooting back and forth across the packed table. Most of the family was here, and it seemed like they were all yelling.
“What”s going on?” I asked in confusion.
Griffen was the only one who looked remotely calm. “Cole Haywood called,” he said, his voice grave. “Ford is being released on Monday.”
Relief hit me like a joyous sledgehammer, tears springing into my eyes as I leaned into Hawk’s side, my knees a little weak.
Ford was coming home. Where he belonged.
Then it hit me. Why was everyone arguing? I looked to Griffen. “Is he coming home home? Back to Heartstone?” It occurred to me that he didn’t have to. He’d been cut from the will. He could only stay if Griffen let him. “Are you?—”
I didn”t have to finish the question. Griffen gave a sharp nod. “He doesn’t belong in prison, and despite everything, this is his home. I already made it clear to Haywood that he should come straight here.”
“Then why—” I looked at the rest of the family in confusion. Tenn was arguing with Royal, Parker glaring at Sterling.
Griffen shook his head. “I think they’re just in shock. And—” Griffen shrugged. “Ford getting out of prison doesn’t erase the past.” He gave me a gentle smile. “I know you have reason to be grateful to Ford, but I’m not the only one in this house he hurt. This is his home, but he might not find it a welcoming one. Not at first.”
“Is that why you don’t look happy?” I asked, still confused.
Griffen shook his head, his eyes flashing to Hawk’s before they came back to mine. “I’m willing to give Ford a chance. And I’m glad he’s getting out.” He shook his head slowly. “But I don”t like the circumstances.”
Hawk nodded knowingly. I didn”t get it. What circumstances? Ford shouldn’t have been in prison in the first place. Now he”d be getting out. That was a good thing.
“The camera,” Hawk said, looking down at me. “It’s been missing since your father’s murder. After the failed attempt to kill Ford in prison, the camera with evidence of Ford’s alibi just happens to turn up in a pawn shop? The judge didn’t like the timing either. That’s why he took so long to make his decision.”
“He allowed Ford to withdraw his guilty plea,” Griffen said, raising his voice to be heard over Avery’s shout at Royal. “And based on the new evidence, the DA has dropped the charges against Ford, but?—”
“I still don”t get it,” I said. “How is that not good news? The charges are dropped and now they can find the real killer. Ford is coming home.”
“It”s not that it isn”t good news,” Hawk said. “But it’s harder to get rid of someone in prison than you’d think. It”s not the Wild West in there like on TV. Someone wants to eliminate Ford. And now he won’t be in prison anymore. He’ll be out here.”
Understanding hit me. “You think whoever had that camera is the one who made sure Ford ended up in prison in the first place, and now they”re using it to get him out so they can kill him?” My question ended in a squeak of anxiety.
Griffen and Hawk looked at each other, exchanging a silent communication I couldn’t decipher. Neither of them answered my question.
Hawk pulled me into his arms and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Don”t worry,” he promised. “I’ll keep your brother safe.”
I melted into him. “I know you will,” I said, drawing strength from Hawk even as I saw his promise hadn’t erased the worry in Griffen’s eyes.
Ford was coming home.
It was up to us to make sure he lived long enough to enjoy his freedom.
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BOOK SEVEN OF THE HEARTS OF SAWYERS BEND