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I look at him because he’s standing closer than would be acceptable and when I do, I find him watching me with a strange look in his eyes. Like a boy who’s excited about something. And I say boy because when I look at his face, I’m not sure he can grow a beard yet. He looks almost pubescent.
He’s tall too, tall and lanky, like a skeleton in a suit, with blue eyes and black hair.
Something about him makes me shudder in repulsion. Makes me want to slip away.
He nods to me and I turn back to the crowd. All I can think is out of all these men—who look much more threatening than this kid beside me—he’s the one that’s got me creeped out.
“Big party, huh?” he asks.
“I guess.” I don’t look at him but keep my eyes on the hallway down which Hawk disappeared.
“Didn’t know you were in town,” he says.
“Excuse me?” I ask, turning to him. “Do I know you?”
His face takes on a flush. Or maybe it’s just his coloring.
I think if he held out his hand to introduce himself and shake mine, I’d have to find some way to avoid having to touch him He’s making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
But when he next speaks, that nervous expression is gone. He’s serious. He swallows his drink loudly, never taking his eyes off me. What I see in them, it makes my stomach turn.
“You wouldn’t know me, but I know you,” he says.
There’s a sudden chill in the room. The moisture on my glass, I’m not sure if its condensation or sweat from my palm. Because I understand what he means. I understand how he knows me. If I look hard enough, I may even see a resemblance.
Does this run in families? Do predators breed predators?
“Older now, but still pretty. I’d never forget those eyes.”
I’m going to be sick.
“I didn’t realize…” he’s still talking but all I hear is noise. I can’t make out the words. It’s like my ears can’t take them or my brain can’t or won’t process them.
The boy-man leans toward me, licks his already wet lips, then touches the back of one knuckle to my shoulder.
But in the instant his skin makes contact with mine, I swear in that same split second in time, Hawk appears out of nowhere. His hand clamps over the man’s wrist and the sound the man makes is a feminine-sounding scream.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Instinctively I step backward, letting Hawk’s body come between myself and the man. Letting him shield me from the awful boy-man who stares at Hawk.
He’s as tall except that Hawk is huge compared to this almost awkwardly skinny boy-man with the look of terror on his face. I notice the spot on his suit jacket. His drink. It must have spilled when Hawk grabbed his arm.
Axel’s at our side, too, now.
“I asked you a question,” Hawk says.
The boy-man looks beyond Hawk to me, then back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was with you. I’m so sorry. I just…I thought…”
Oh God. Oh my God. Please don’t say it. Please don’t.
Hawk thrusts him backward. “You thought wrong. Step the fuck back.”
I realize how much quieter it suddenly is. Realize those nearest us are watching.
The boy-man apologizes once more, or tries to, before turning and almost running away.
Hawk turns to me, looks me over. “All right?”
I nod quickly. “Can we go?” I want to leave. I want to get out of here. Get away from these people. From all these eyes on us.
Because if that boy-man knows, if he recognizes me, who else will? Who will ask questions and find out?
And how long until Hawk finds out?
“Do you know him?” Hawk asks.
I shake my head. “Please can we go?” I ask again. “Everyone’s looking.”
He turns to Axel. “Take her back. I need to stay and handle a few things.”
Axel nods.
Hawk turns to me. “Have dinner sent up. Just call the restaurant. They’ll make anything you want.”
I just nod, knowing I won’t do that. Knowing I won’t be able to eat at all. I’m grateful he won’t be with me. Grateful I’ll have a reprieve from questions, even though that reprieve will be a brief one.
What I should have done was slapped that boy-man’s hand away myself. Told him he was mistaken. Walked away before the spectacle occurred. But I was wholly unprepared.
Axel walks me outside and I sit in the back of the sedan to stare out the window. I need to keep it together for a little bit longer. Just until I’m alone. Back at the penthouse. Then I can freak out.
Then I can fall apart.
16
Hawk
The meeting that should have taken ten minutes takes almost two hours and my attention is split.
And on top of that, there’s the voicemail from my brother that I should never have listened to. My bastard brother telling me to go to hell. Brandishing his victory.
