Page 25 of Restless Hawke

A shiver rolls through me.

Luca snarls. “Billions.”

The emphasis on theBis sharp.

As much as the knife I’m sure he has concealed somewhere in his slick suit coat.

As deadly as the gun I know he has there, too.

“I don’t care what he asks me to do.” I stand my ground. Refusing to break. Refusing to bend to his will. “I’ll do it to ensure everyone’s safety.”

“Letuskeep you safe.”

The emotional tone in his plea tugs at that part of me thatknowshow much he cares, how much they all do, even when I don’t deserve it.

“You can’t. And you know it.”

He throws out a hand sharply, his frustration growing. “Then let us deal with whatever the fallout is as a family. That’s what we do, Coen. No matter what. Hawkes always stick together.”

I want to believe that’s true.

Want to be able to go home with him.

But even if I could bring myself to get on that plane with him, I couldn’t face anyone there.

Not until I’ve made amends.

Not until I’ve found some sort of way to keep that monster off their backs.

A monster who lurks around New Orleans, where they’re all exposed. “Haveyouheard from Satriano?”

Luca looks away, then downs his drink and sets his empty glass on the side table. He hisses through clenched teeth at the burn. “He’s been shockingly quiet since the fight and wedding, which, as you no doubt understand, has left everyone very on edge.”

Because no one knew the reason he was quiet—I’d already made my deal.

My mind goes to the people in his immediate crosshairs. “Atlas and Wren?”

Luca runs a hand through his dark hair. “They went to Fiji. They don’t get back until the end of next week. Honestly, I may tell them to stay longer. They’re probably safer there than they are in New Orleans right now.”

“He won’t do anything. Not when he has me.”

“That’s my fucking point.” His voice cracks like a whip, filled with violence and a hint of something I never thought I’d hear from this man—fear. “He has you by the balls, Coen. He’s going to twist and twist and twist. You have to understand that.”

“I do.” I knew it the moment I made that offer to him, and I’m ready to face my fate. “It’s what I deserve.”

* * *

ALLEGRA

Minutes tick by slowly.

Each one, my unease and curiosity grow.

I do my best to appear casual, standing just inside the very room we finished the tournament in less than an hour ago, while keeping my eye on the elevator I came down in when Coen’s seemingly unexpected “guest” arrived.

The tension between the men. The anger and heat in their gazes. The unspoken words that flowed between them while I stood there. It all screamed that whatever was about to happen between them wasn’t anything I wanted to be anywhere near.

And I can’t help worrying about leaving Coen with him.