CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Hawk

I stood in the kitchen and watched her leave. I wanted to fuckin’ kill Jenny… more so than before. I had no idea how Payton and I would move past this, but I had to keep them safe or I’d never forgive myself.

My phone buzzed, and I reached into my pocket, pulling it out. “Hey, Kay.”

“Are you sitting down?” she asked.

“Not currently, no. Why?”

“Mike called last night—”

“Why the hell are you taking his calls?”

Mike was Kayla’s ex, and not only did he step out on her, he was a major douchebag in general.

“Just listen,” she stressed. “I didn’t take his call. He left me a voicemail and I called him back because of what he told me.”

I sighed. “Yeah, and what did the fucker say?”

“He was at The Pink Fox, you know, the strip club in Gresham?”

“Can’t say I do, but go on.”

“Anyway, it’s run by some Russian mob guys, and they offer services that go further than lap dances. Mike was there, shocker, but guess who one of the prostitutes was?”

“I’m on the edge of my seat, Kay,” I droned sarcastically.

“Jenny.”

“Come again?”

“Jenny. She was totally strung out, topless, and up for anything. Mike videotaped her screwing one of his work buddies and sent it to me. Gross, but he thought you’d want it.”

I leaned against the counter. “And why would he think I’d want it?”

“Because she talked about you on the video. Just watch it. You’ll see. I emailed it to you.”

“Okay, sister. Thanks.”

“Sure.”

“You okay?” I asked.

“Is it wrong to admit I don’t miss you?” she asked. “I miss Lily, but I have to say, not waking up at the crack of dawn is kind of nice.”

I laughed. “Well, you got the week to enjoy it.”

“I bet Payton will love that.”

“You’d think.”

“What did you do?” she challenged. “Did you have a rational conversation with her, or did you go all Tarzan on her?”

“Coulda been somewhere in between.”

“Love you, bro, but you’re an idiot.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you, Kay.”

Kayla laughed. “Okay, okay, but if you drive her away again, I will kill you.”

My heart dropped at the thought. “I won’t.”

“Okay, gotta jet. Talk to you later.”

“’Bye.”

I hung up and loaded my email. Brock and Chuck walked in just as the video loaded, so I pressed pause. “Need anything?”

Chuck shook his head. “We’re done.”

I nodded.

“Where’s Pay?” Brock asked.

“Downstairs I think,” I said.

“I’m going to clean up,” Chuck said, and headed out of the kitchen.

“You okay?” Brock asked, and grabbed a glass of water.

I sighed and shook my head. “I’m missin’ somethin’.”

“With the Jenny situation?”

“Yeah.”

“Want to map it out?”

“Kayla sent me a video.” I stepped closer to Brock and pressed play.

When the video ended, Brock shook his head. “She’s fucked up.”

“Yeah. She was a wacko before Lily, but add drugs to the mix, and she’s… I don’t know. Fuckin’ gone.”

“Where was that taken?”

“The Pink Fox.”

“Shit, really?” Brock said.

I nodded. “Why?”

“We busted a human trafficking ring a while ago. The bastards who ran the operation owned that club. Among others.”

“Who’s running it now?”

“On paper? A guy named Brian Nolan.”

“None of this makes any fuckin’ sense.”

“Forward it to me, I’ll look into it,” Brock offered.

I nodded and fired it off to Brock just as Payton walked into the kitchen, rinsed her plate, and dumped it in the dishwasher… all without speaking. Brock raised an eyebrow at me, waved his phone, and left the room, also without speaking.

When Payton moved to leave, I grabbed her arm and pulled her against me. “I know you’re pissed.”

“You’re a freakin’ genius, handsome. Well done.”

“I’m doin’ this to keep you safe, Payton. Fuckin’ cut me some slack.”

“I might be a little more inclined to ‘cut you some slack’ if you weren’t so beat your chest, I am man, you are woman about it. I also might be a little more inclined to cut you some slack if you gave me some credit.” Payton pushed away from me. “But since you don’t seem willing to do that, then we’re at an impasse, bub.”

I pulled her to me again.

“Hawk,” she snapped.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and slid one hand into her hair, tugging it gently so she’d drop her head back. “Baby, I don’t know how bad this threat is. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed that you and Lily might be in danger, so, if you don’t mind, could we just hang here at your parents’ place until I get a better read on the situation?”

I smiled when her eyes narrowed, mostly because she was trying to keep from smiling. “You’re a butt,” she retorted.

“So I’ve been told.” I cupped her ass. “Love you, baby.”

She rolled her eyes. “You should. I’m amazing.”

I leaned forward and kissed her nose. “I will make this up to you. I promise.”

Payton’s body relaxed and she sighed. “I want boat time… with play.”

“Fuck me,” I whispered as I kissed her neck. “Don’t say shit like that in the middle of your parents’ kitchen.”

She grinned. “Payback’s a bitch, handsome.”

“Daddy!” Lily exclaimed as she rushed into the kitchen. “Can we go to a movie? Pweese?”

I released Payton and hunkered down in front of my daughter. “Not today, baby girl, but I bet we can find a movie to watch downstairs. All three of us. What do you think?”

“Can we have popcorn?”

“Of course we can have popcorn,” Payton said.

I smiled up at her and mouthed, ‘thank you.’

Payton smiled back and headed to the pantry.