Hawk
I can’t get out of the facility fast enough. Not only do I have to deal with the roller coaster that’s my mom, now I have to deal with the attitude of my barely adult little sister. And she’s supposed to be the easier one of the two. Jesus.
“Hawk.”
When I turn around, I see a guy sitting on the back of a motorcycle. He’s a big fucker, more massive than Cut and Lick. His skin is tan, courtesy of the California sun. Tattoos wrap along both arms, and most are old school black and white. I watch as he swings his leg from over the bike and heads my way. His cut is adorned with patches, some I’m familiar with, others are new to me, but the one that hits closest to home is the one that’s embroidered with the Devil’s Fury logo. A devil’s skull with wings and pistons. My chest tightens, realizing how much I missed the club and the guys that make it what it is.
“The name’s Titus.” He stretches out his hand for me to take, and I shake it without hesitation. “We got a call from Cut telling us that you’d be in the area for a while, and my Prez wanted to make sure you knew you were welcome at the club any time. Devil’s Fury Victorville is opened to you for as long as you need it.”
“I appreciate that.”
“MC’s aren’t too popular in these parts. Hollywood with the glitz and glamour doesn’t see the need for the roar of the engines. Victorville is just far away from everything but close enough, if you get my drift.”
I understand what he’s saying. Although the charter wasn’t in the Los Angeles area, they still had the reach in case I needed them. “I may need you to run a background on a guy.”
“Phil Jansen? I spoke to Dyke this morning. He told me what’s going on with your woman.”
I wasn’t going to correct him. The more people who thought about it that way, the better it was for me.
“That inheritance that Dyke told you about. I wanted to let you know that Jansen’s father owned quite a few corners in and out of the area. One of those corners happens to house a certain apartment complex that your woman resides in.”
Motherfucker.
“The funny thing is, the trust purchased that piece of property only days after many old Jansen kicked the bucket.”
He fucking knew she lived there.
I turn my head on my shoulders, cracking my neck. It does nothing to release the tension I’m feeling. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“You want us to take care of him, or do you wanna do it yourself?”
It seems this chapter of the club is a little more old-school than we are. They’d rather act first and ask questions later. Even though Phil isn’t affiliated with anyone from an MC, I’m not willing to put Las Cruces in the crosshairs of any law enforcement. Not when what we do requires cooperation with all forms of law enforcement.
“I’m not sure that’ll be necessary. I don’t think eliminating is the answer. I think he’ll get the point with a little scare tactic.”
“No problem, the ball’s in your court. We just wanted to make sure that you knew you weren’t alone.”
* * *
“May I help you?” a young woman asks as she answers Tessa’s door. Her brown eyes flit down my body, and when she brings them back and land on my cut, she swallows. “Hawk?” She lifts her brow at the question.
“Yes, you must be Sarah.”
She looks behind her for a second. “Yeah, um…” she looks back again, “Sam’s in his room playing before bed.”
She seems nervous, and that puts me on high alert. When I step towards her, I take a look inside and see a guy sitting on the couch. He’s leaning over a book, scribbling notes down. “Are you studying?”
“Yeah, exams are coming up.”
“Listen, why don’t you head home and you two study. I’ll keep an eye on Sam.”
She shakes her head. “No, I can’t ask you to do that. Besides, I know Tessa’s at the bar tonight, and I can’t call her.”
“I know she wouldn’t mind. I planned on seeing her tonight anyway. Now I’ll wait for her here and not head over to the bar.”
She bites her lower lip. She looks over her shoulder again and then meets my stare. “All right. Thank you.”
As I walk Sarah and her friend out, I continue down the small path towards the street. I stand there and stretch my hands over my head, bringing my face towards the stars, or what you can see in the city. When I bring my head back down, I discreetly scan the neighborhood, and that’s when I notice a dark figure walking down the street, away from Tessa’s apartment.
That’s right, motherfucker, walk the fuck away.