2
DANIELA
What I need?
Where do I start?
I gulp and look up at Hawk, at his gorgeous blue eyes that are staring down at me with such tenderness.
Belinda is gone.My Belinda.
I may be sent back to Colombia.
Just when the pieces and clues I’ve been gathering finally clicked this morning.And now I know.
Why did I ever tell Hawk I didn’t want his protection?What was I thinking?
Sure, I was scared and overwhelmed.I didn’t like what he was becoming.
I didn’t like what he was becoming because it reminded me of…
No.
No.
Won’t go there.
Hawk is nothing like my father.Nothing like those horrid men who used me, abused me.
Sure, I didn’t like the methods he was using, but…
“Please tell me, baby,” he says again, kissing the top of my head.“Tell me what I can do.”
“I needed you,” I say again.
“I know.I’m here now.”He squeezes my shoulders.“Tell me.Tell me everything.”
I gulp.“The most important thing is Belinda.We need to find her.”
“We will,” he says.“I promise.”
I break away from him.“How can you promise that?You don’t know where she is, who has her.Don’t make any more promises you can’t keep, Hawk Bellamy.”
He moves toward me, runs his fingers through his hair.“I deserved that.And I’m sorry.But wewillfind her.I’ll level the whole state of Texas to find her for you.”
I curl my hands into fists.“That’s exactly what Idon’twant!You getting into trouble.You levelinganythingfor me.I’m so tired of you bending the law?—”
“Daniela, look at me.”
I don’t.
He tips my chin up so I meet his gaze.“Look at me, baby.”
“Fine,” I huff.
“I’m not him,” he says.“I’m not your father.He had no respect for the law, for you, for anyone, for that matter.I know I’ve bent the rules lately, but I’m not him, Dani.I willneverbe him.”
I sigh and nod.Of course Hawk isn’t my father.I know that.And everything he’s done has been for me.For my wellbeing.My father certainly never cared about that.
