Page 128 of Restless Hawke

Gabe sighs. “Anything Satriano might try.”

Savage nods and scans the monitors as my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I slide it out and tense at “unknown” flashing across the screen. “Just a second. I need to take this.”

And not in front of them.

For weeks, I’ve dreaded every text, every phone call. I’ve dreaded stepping into my own damn condo, afraid that man will be waiting for me again, despite insistence from the entire security team that it is locked down tight. But right now, I’m more worried it might beheron the other end of the line.

Satriano…I can handle.

My complicated feelings for Allegra are another matter entirely.

Gabe and Savage start talking, pointing to something on one of the screens, ignoring me as I step out into the hall and force myself to accept the call.

“Hello?”

“Coen…” Just the sound of his voice is enough to make my skin crawl. “I hope you’re well.”

Only because if I weren’t, I wouldn’t be of any use to him anymore.

I’m not at all surprised he’s calling today. It justifies this unease. “What do you want?”

“The time has come, Coen.”

My blood runs cold. “For what?”

“For you to do me another favor.”

Shit.

Even though I anticipated it, knew it was coming and that I wouldn’t like it, it doesn’t mean I’m ready for it. Every fiber of my being wants to rebel, wants to tell the man to fuck right off and do his own dirty work.

But then my mind drifts to Atlas and Wren, to the rest of the family, and I can’t bring myself to say those words.

“What do you want me to do?”

I can almosthearhis satisfied grin.

“I have someone who’s going to come and play in your tournament today.”

My body tenses immediately.

Allegra?

The ache in my ribs intensifies as my heart gallops and my breathing stalls. “Who?”

For a few seconds, I don’t think he’s going to answer, almost like he’s dragging it out intentionally, torturing me with the fact that it might be her.

Does he know her cover is blown? Does he know she came clean?

“The man’s name is Alan. And you are going to ensure he wins.”

And there it is.

What I knew was coming.

His first step in weaseling his way into Hawke Hotel, either to take it over or to take it down completely. “You want me to rig the game?”