Page 149 of Restless Hawke

“Getting some of the powdered sugar off.”

Allegra glances at her beignet. “I haven’t even eaten it yet.”

I grin at her. “But youtouchedit. Or is this sweetness from you fingering your cunt? You naughty girl…”

She laughs, and I finally get to see her relax slightly—precisely my intent. If she goes into this so nervously, she could make a mistake. And father or not, she needs a clear head to deal with a man like Satriano.

“It’ll be okay, Allegra.” I squeeze her hand. “You know we have to do this. If we don’t…”

I trail off, unwilling to take the next logical step in that thought.

She says he won’t hurt her, and I believe her because I know Dad could never hurt me. Savage could never hurt Kennedy. None of the Hawkes could ever hurt their children, no matter what might come between us. And for some reason, Satriano strikes me as a man who lives by the same principle, despite everythingelsehe seems to have no qualms about doing.

And after talking more with Allegra the last few days about growing up with him as a father, it sounds like what she said that night is true. He really was a pretty normal dad. Taking her to ballet lessons. Horse riding. Ski trips and summers at the beach.

All the things a normal dad would do—when she wasn’t off at boarding school.

Constantly moving from place to place, country to country to different schools and houses doesn’t sound like the easiest way to grow up, but it turned Allegra into who she is today, and I could never be anything but thankful for that.

Her back suddenly stiffens, her gaze zeroing in on something behind me, and I glance over my shoulder as a black Town Car pulls to a stop at the curb.

I clench her hand tightly. “Just remember the plan.”

She gives me a tight nod, then sucks in a long, deep breath, squaring her shoulders to physically prepare herself for the showdown with her father that’s about to come.

It had to happen.

We couldn’t just sit around and wait for him to try to take her, for him to force her away. Because if he had taken her and locked her away somewhere the way she described it, and I couldn’t get to her…

I would burn the whole fucking world down to find her.

So, I’m not about to let that happen. Not if there’s any chance of resolving this peacefully.

It seems like an impossibility with a man like Satriano, but I have to try.

The alternative isn’t anything I’m willing to consider.

I quickly scan around us, checking to ensure everyone’s in place.

Bishop sits at a table in the corner of the outdoor patio, newspaper up and sunglasses, covering her dark eyes, but I can feel their focus on us like a fucking laser similar to the one Gabe has on his sniper rifle from the roof of the building across the street—just in case. Saint leans against the wall of the main building near the window, pretending to wait for an order, his huge presence unmissable.

We didn’t dare bring any more than that for fear that Satriano wouldn’t make an appearance if we had a large show of force. Of course, he knows we wouldn’t come alone, but there isn’t any point in setting things off on a bad foot before we’ve even begun.

Two of his men climb out of the car after him and fall in line behind him.

Satriano approaches our table with a sly grin curling his lips. “Bambina…” He bends down and kisses Allegra on each cheek affectionately, then slides into the chair directly across from me and next to her. “Thank you so much for the invitation to join you this morning.”

I snort. “Is that what you thought it was?”

His smile falters. “Are we back to being rude, Mr. Hawke?”

“You tell me.”

I raise a brow, and Allegra slides her hand under the table and squeezes my knee, reminding me of the plan, which definitely isn’t to antagonize him.

Damon glances at the uneaten beignet and the cup of chicory coffee Allegra hasn’t touched, either. “Not hungry this morning?”

She shakes her head. “I suddenly lost my appetite.”