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HAWK

“Where are we at? What do we know?”

Pres called church first thing this morning wanting a rundown of everything that happened at the gala. Eli and his men went home yesterday leaving Cash behind in case things turn ugly. He’s been attending the birthing classes with Ethan and Sky as a back-up plan just in case. Though Skyler has threatened to remove Ethan’s balls if he misses the birth of their child. She also swore to feed them to him, pureed out of a baby food jar in case he wasn’t sure how serious she was about him being there.

“The gala was just what we thought it was. A bunch of high profile, wealthy people rubbing elbows and bragging about their latest achievements while making backdoor deals. All the while, the public believes they’re a bunch of caring citizens who are sharing their wealth to better the communities they serve.” Cash laughs, pointing a finger at me from his place across the table.

“You sounded like a twisted campaign commercial.”

“It’s the truth.” I shrug.

“Anyone of particular interest? Anyone you think might be involved in the auctions?” Gabe probes.

“There were people of all sorts there, Pres. Big business entrepreneurs, the police chief, lawyers, senators, even a couple of local mobsters.” Gabe raises a quizzical brow at me.

“What mobsters?”

“Matteo was there with Sadie as his date.”

“What the hell is she doing with him at an event like that?” Mack growls. “He’s not exactly what I’d consider a do-gooder in the community.”

“Depends on your version of do-gooder.” Cash shrugs. “I mean, he did help get rid of two assholes who were selling children and a crooked cop.” Everyone turns their attention to Cash. He’s not fazed by all the glares. “I’m just stating the obvious. Seems like a decent guy in my book.”

“He was there with Sadie. Parading her around like his good little puppy.” The words are bitter tasting in my mouth. “She wouldn’t even speak without checking with him first. It was weird and fucked up.”

“Maybe it’s what Sadie needs.” Cash is not letting this shit go. “If Matteo can keep her crazy under control, and she’s happy with him, let her be.”

“Aren’t you the same guy who just told Candi to keep her hands to herself because Sadie is my ol’ lady? Whose side are you on, anyway?”

Cash shrugs. “No one’s side. But if you’re not going to go get her and properly claim her, then why not let her move on and be happy with the Italian fucker. They’ve been flirting and spending time together since Skyler came back. Maybe something’s changed for her.”

Oh, this mother fucker.

I’m up and rounding the table, ready to kick Cash’s ass. Gabe slams the gavel shouting for order, at the same time Mack jumps up to block my path.

“Sit down, Hawk!” Gabe shouts. “We’re not playing these fucking games today. Sit down, and Cash …” Gabe turns, we’re both staring at Cash’s smug fucking face. “Shut the fuck up and quit egging him on. Hawk will either get off his ass and claim his woman or lose her to the competition. But wither way, that’s his decision to make.”

The fuck?

Gabe turns to glare at me over his shoulder. Mack’s still blocking me from getting any further past either of them. “You better choose wisely, Hawk. Matteo is a smooth motherfucker, and Sadie is looking for someplace she feels she belongs.”

“She belongs with me . With us. Her family.” It’s not just a declaration, it’s the truth. Oakridge is her home, and the Kings are her family.

“I suggest you make her see that then.” Gabe says with a knowing smirk. “Now, sit down and give us the rundown. Didi anyone make contact or seem interested in you or Agent Galina?”

We all sit back down, but I don’t take my eyes off Cash. I’m going to catch that fucker when he least expects it. But he will get his down the line.

“We spoke to several people, but there was one senator who seemed especially curious about us. I think he recognized Galina, but she played up the doting girlfriend and shifted his interest to my supposed business. We talked for a little while, but I don’t know if he’s anyone of real interest or just some nosy fuck. He played along and asked me questions about what I did and seemed nice enough.”

“He’s a politician.” Declan says. “It’s their job to show interest and be nice. He was sizing you up to find out if you’re someone he should hit up later to donate to his personal campaign, I’ll bet you.”

“And how was Agent Galina? Did she play the part well enough to garner attention?” Jameson chimes in from his quiet perch in the corner.

“She was annoying as fuck, but yeah, I’m sure she got noticed. She had her fucking hands all over me, trying to cop a fucking feel every chance she got.”

Jake and Ethan both break out laughing, but it’s Ethan who takes a jab. “I never thought I’d see the day when Hawk would be angry at a woman for wanting to grope his dick.”

“Would you let a strange woman touch you now that you have Skyler? Or you now that you have Avery?”

Both respond with a stiff, “Fuck no.”

Gabe scrubs a hand down his face, the clear indication he’s getting frustrated.

“I did find a few things out while digging through some files last night.” That draws everyone’s attention. “The FBI have had a running file on Nate since Maggie’s accident. The file includes everything from jobs to places he lived. They even kept a file on Shea, but that didn’t seem to start until Nate took a paternity test and discovered she was his. He then took her mother to court and was granted shared custody.”

“You think he’s been an informant all this time? That’s a long ass time to have a rat in your ranks and not know about it.” Declan suggests. “Hard to believe he could hide it for that long.”

“I don’t think he was an informant until recently, when Shea’s life was put on the line. He might’ve just been a person of interest and the Feds were keeping an eye on Shea as a precaution.” It’s just my opinion, but it’s the last part that has me thinking I’m right. “There’s more, Pres. The Feds have pictures of Shea in a house somewhere, wearing dirty clothes on an old nasty mattress covered in bruises. I don’t know how long ago the picture was taken, but we need to find her. I don’t have to tell any of you what she could be going through… what they could be doing to her.”

Several curses are heard about the room.

“Any way to identify the room? Any widows or anything that might be useful in helping to find her?” Dec asks, typing something on his phone. I’m pretty sure he’s contacting Wyatt to see if he can get a team from Garrison searching for her.

“No.”

“How do you know the Devils have her then? How do we even know it’s really her? None of us have seen her in person.” Jameson seems unconvinced. “It could be anyone.”

“Would you let it go even if it wasn’t my sister?” I ask, my frustration getting the better of me. “We don’t tolerate anyone, especially women and children being treated like this. So, what the fuck does it matter who she is? But for the record, it is Shea. I’ve got photos of her all the way back to kindergarten. I’m certain it’s her.”

“All right, let’s get Wyatt on this. Let him help try to find Shea while you focus on getting your ass into the auction party. Maybe Parisi can pull some more strings for us,” Gabe suggests. “In the meantime, now that we know Sadie is with Matteo. Hawk, I want you to find a way to reach out and get her talking. Get us something we can use to get her back home.”

“I’ve been working on it. She texted me from my own phone last night, but when I tried to reply the message bounced back.” I tell them, not happy she outsmarted me again. “But I’ll keep trying.”

“All you have to do is think about what you would do in her shoes.” Cash says it like it’s the easiest solution in the world.

“What are you going on about?” Caleb asks.

“It’s easy.” Cash shrugs. “Sadie knows all of Hawk’s moves. She’s been dodging his shit for years now. So, think about what your next move would be and how you would outsmart yourself.”

The room erupts in laughter.

Fuck me if it isn’t a good idea.

A couple hours later, I’m in my room checking through my email when I notice an email from an unfamiliar address. The subject says “special invitation”. Upon opening it, it is in fact an invitation to a private party in the penthouse at the Whittmore Hotel in Baron’s Edge.

I shoot off a text to Pres letting him know I’ve been invited to what I’m guessing is the auction party. The rest of the email goes on to explain I’m to bring my plus one from the gala with me. All attendees must sign an NDA prior to arrival and no phones or recording devices, such as cameras will be allowed once inside the venue. This party is black tie for the men. Women’s attire is under the advisement that less is more.

What. The. Fuck.

I send a text and a copy of the email to Agent Galina letting her know the situation. The party is in five days which gives us time to set a plan in motion. She’ll need time to get her men briefed and placed around the building. Given it’s in Baron’s Edge, my guess is they’ll use the harbor to transfer the women they auction off to their respectful owners, so I hit up Declan and Wyatt to have a team from Garrison in place to intercept just in case.

Before I shut down my computer, I send off one more text message to Vincenzo Parisi letting him know what our next steps are. His reply is immediate.

V: Go see Alberto and have him fit you for a custom suit. My treat. This is not a request.

Me: I have a suit.

V: Can you suit stop bullets?

Me: Point made.

V: See Alberto. I will tell him what I want you to wear. Go tomorrow.