Page 21 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

I never pictured Aiden being in love. But it looks good on him. Still have zero interest in trying it out for myself, but I won’t deny he seems happy.

I look back over the city. To each their own. Even though I can’t get Sophaya out of my head, I don’t want anything beyond what we shared. My relationships with my brothers and my company give me everything I need. My bond with them has been forged over time, tested again and again by the worst New York City had to throw at us. And Hawke Security is mine to control, mine to craft and mold into what I want.

Investing myself in anything else is a risk not worth taking. One night of intimacy brought me to the edge of control. I came dangerously close to letting Sophaya matter. Once I cross that threshold, the strength I’ve built up over the years will crumble.

Not even Sophaya de Marivela is worth that risk.

Aiden flags down a passing waitress and orders a cocktail. Cassian slides his phone over to Aiden.

“He’s saying no to her.”

“Why don’t you go out with her?” I ask.

Cassian looks back at me. A frown passes over his face. For the first time I notice a hint of darkness beneath his eyes, a slight strain I’ve never noticed before. “I’d love to. But this acquisition is demanding more of my time than I expected.”

“The shipping company out of Ireland?” Aiden asks.

“Yes.” Cassian shoves his phone in his pocket and picks up his drink. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Aiden and I glance at each other. Aiden shrugs.

Normally I don’t press my brothers on the personal details of their lives. We’d die for each other, kill for each other. But talking about our feelings? Not so much.

Except not that long ago, Cassian and I confronted Aiden about him and Seraphina breaking off their engagement. The conversation led Aiden to realize how much he truly loved her.

Before I can say anything, Cassian swings his head around and grins at me. “Are you saying no to Miss Lingerie because there’s someone else?”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the screen.

And freeze.

Text message from Her Royal Highness.

I’d forgotten I’d saved her in my contacts under her title. My finger hovers over the button. What could she possibly be texting about after nearly two months?

“Dom?”

My head snaps up. Aiden and Cassian are both watching me with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“A former client. I didn’t expect to hear from them again.”

I look back down. Force myself to tap the screen and open the message.

Mr. Hawke, I’m in New York and need to speak with you on a professional matter. Would you be free for a consultation at the Carlyle at eight o’clock tonight?

One of the most elegant and discreet hotels in all of New York City. My body stirs even though I know there’s no way in hell she’s trying to arrange an assignation. Not after the way we parted.

So what does she want?

Part of me wants to delete the message and forget I ever saw it. But I can’t do that. I was harsh to her when we parted. Cruel. That’s not who my grandmother raised me to be in the three short years I had with her. It’s not the kind of man John Hawke was.

I can do eight thirty.

I hit “Send” before I can second-guess myself. Her reply is almost instant, a simple Okay.

I slide my phone back into my pocket. “So,” I ask as I grab a menu, “what are you ordering?”

Both my brothers look like they want to press me. But instead, they grab their own menus and start debating the merits of steak au poivre over sesame crusted tuna tataki. I join in, finally ordering wagyu beef sliders. One of my favorite meals to indulge in whenever we meet up here. I hardly taste any of it. The seconds drag on as I barely refrain from looking at my watch every two minutes.