Page 34 of Restless Hawke

He snorts. “You couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a fucking mess. Everyone’s running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to find you, worrying…”

I flinch. “Mom and Dad?”

Isaac releases a heavy, long sigh that sounds so much like our father that I cringe, squeezing my eyes closed. “They’re terrified they’re never going to see you again. You can’t do this. You can’t run and hide, and you certainly can’t get further into bed with a man like Satriano. Come home, please.”

“I have a tournament in a few days.”

“In Macau?”

Shit.

Guess I was right about not needing to hide anymore.

“Yes.”

“Fine.” He snaps. “Play in your tournament if it’ll make you feel better. Pay off the goddamn debt and then get thefuckback to New Orleans. Comehome,and we can deal with the rest.”

“I’ll think about it…”

“Goddammit, Coen.” He sighs. “I knew I should have gone with Luca…”

“You have enough to worry about there without trying to track me around the world, Isaac.”

“That’s pretty much what everyone else said, but I can’t believe he left without bringing you back.”

Really, neither can I.

Luca could have forced it.

He could have had men far bigger and stronger than me physically remove me from that hotel room, force me into his car, and drag me onto the private jet.

But he didn’t.

Because heknewI had to do this.

“I’m an adult, Isaac. I’m not your little kid brother anymore. I can make my own adult decisions.”

“Yes, and how has that been working out for you lately?”

I wince and down the rest of my drink. “Love you, too, brother.”

Ending the call, I toss my phone onto the small table next to the chair and lean back, letting my head drop to the headrest and my eyes close.

I really fucked up everything.

And Isaac is right.

Satriano is going to come calling.

He’s going to figure out what he can use me for, and I’m going to have to pay up. I won’t like it. Not one bit.

But I’ll do it.

I have to.

* * *

ALLEGRA