Page 66 of Restless Hawke

He issues another low chuckle and rises from his chair to pace over to the windows. “That’s one thing I’ve always appreciated about you Hawkes. You’re very direct. You don’t beat around the bush. That’s a quality I look for in partners.”

“We’ll never partner with you.” I practically growl. “I think that point has been made abundantly clear.”

“Has it?” He raises a brow and takes a sip. “Your cousin still cares for my men at the clinic.”

“Because you made him.” I try to keep the anger from my voice, but it still makes it tremble. “You forced him by threatening the rest of us and by insisting weowedyou for your involvement with the Daniele Roselli situation.”

He would have let Atlas and Astrid bleed out on that filthy warehouse floor if he didn’t think he could get something by saving them—and that’s precisely what he did. He got himself a skilled emergency room doctor, not to mention a surgeon, if it really came down to it and he needs to call in Mom.

“I could have left them to die… Would that have been preferable?”

I can’t even respond to that without lashing out in a way that will only dig my grave deeper.

One thing I have to do is watch what I say to this man.

Not give away anything.

“Look, Damon, I know where I stand. I’myours.And if any of us move on you, you have enough power and enough men to ensure that the rest of us pay for it.”

He offers a slow grin that seems to flash in the streaming moonlight. “I’m glad you understand that. But as I’ve mentioned, I’ve developed a bit of a fondness for you Hawkes. I would hate to have to do any of the unsavory things I’ve somehow become known for.” His shoulders rise and fall. “As long as everyone continues to cooperate, there won’t be any need for it.”

I grit my teeth. “Tell me what the fuck you want me to do.”

Just get it over with.

He scowls. “We can be civil, can’t we?”

“This from the man who shot up the Grind, almost killed my father, my brother, and my cousin?—”

“And the man who saved Atlas, Kennedy, and Astrid’s lives. Let’s not forget that.”

Fuck.

As if he’d ever let us…

I down the rest of my drink.

“I’ll tell you what, Coen. Once you repay the ten million”—he grins—“plus interest, which is what? Another million and a half by now?” I cringe and nod. “Then we’ll set to work on the remainder of your debt.”

A chill slides through me again, despite the heat and spice of the bourbon in my gut.

“We’ll start simple. I’ve managed to acquire ownership of half a dozen casinos along the Gulf Coast…”

My back stiffens as I watch him.

He what?

The man must know that makes him our biggest competitor with our plans for expansion. We’ve already purchased lots in six major cities between here and Corpus Christi. Things are already in motion, dates set, millions and millions laid out to help build the chain we started with Hawke Hotel.

He relaxes slightly. “I would like them to become the preeminent places to host tournaments such as the ones you’ve been playing in.”

“Poker?”

“Poker, baccarat, anything else we can come up with.”

What’s he getting at?

“How do I play a role?”