Page 132 of Cryptic Curse

But it’s too late.

And darkness falls.

40

DANIELA

For a moment when I wake up, I’m not sure where I am.

Then I know.

Hawk’s place.Hawk’s bed.

I jerk upright.

Vinnie and Raven will be worried sick.

I grab my phone from my purse on the floor.Sure enough, there’s a text from Raven.

I’m fine, I text back.I’m at Hawk’s.

Then the three dots.

We figured you were.I tried to call you both but they went to voicemail.

Yeah, we were busy, but I don’t say this.

I’m sorry to worry you.

It’s okay.Love you.

Love you too.

Hawk isn’t in the bed next to me.Where is he?I walk to the bathroom.He’s not there.I turn on the shower and get in, letting the warm water pelt over me.After I wash my hair and then dry off, I put on my dress I wore to court yesterday without the underwear.Commando for now, until I get a change of clean undies.

Then I leave the bedroom.

I find Hawk in the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee.

I inhale.It smells so good, almost as good as the coffee I had back in Colombia.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” he says.“Did you shower without me?”

“Guilty,” I say.“But I’m always up for another.”

“Coffee?”

“Please.”

He hands me a cup and I take a long sip of the strong brew.“I had some calls from Raven,” I tell him.

“Oh?”

“Yeah.I didn’t even hear it ring.My phone was buried in my purse.She and Vinnie were concerned when I didn’t come home.”

He cocks his head.“Didn’t you tell Raven you were spending the night with me?”

I shrug.“I did, but she probably wanted to check in.She knows about my history.But I’m an adult.”I sigh.“I should have let them know I’d be staying over, so I feel bad.I don’t want to cause them any pain.”