“I’m fixing his leg, right?” Hawk confirmed. He could still catch a few hours of sleep, between Lake Cliff and Rhode Island, if they’d just get on with it. “Let Ezra or someone else worry about how many personalities he’s got.”
“I think you should,” Lavender said and gave Hawk a loaded look.
“Lavender,” Blink warned but Lavender smiled as he turned to him.
“You’ve developed a reputation around here, unfortunately. My friends have a way of getting screwed over when you get involved. And Hawk’s new, let’s give him a chance to settle in before we throw him to Grim.”
“I really think I can handle this. Even if he needs several surgeries, I’m only going to see him...” Hawk started to explain but Blink shook his head.
“Quite often, I’m afraid. I’m hoping you’ll provide the bulk of his care between surgeries and help keep him off his leg. If he’ll even listen to you,” Blink mused and Lavender groaned as he rubbed his temple.
“I like this even less.”
“I understand if recent events have given you reason to doubt me but I promise, I haven’t forgotten and I will make it up to all of you. Once I’ve found the person responsible,” Blink said.
“Do you truly expect us to believe you haven’t found anything?” Lavender countered and Blink’s brows fell.
“I had my best man on it but he’s laid up with a destroyed leg. I assume you’ve all been hard at work, here in the retirement village. Find anything?” He asked but Lavender sighed and slouched slightly.
“Nothing. Yet,” he said glumly and Blink pointed.
“See. One of you would have found something, if there was anything to be found. You’ll be the first to know if we do,” he promised. Hawk figured he didn’t want to get in the middle of it so he gave Lavender’s back a firm pat.
“Thanks for looking out for me but I’m going to pack a duffel bag and get out of here. I’ll check in regularly and swing back by, if this Grim guy doesn’t kill me,” he said then left them to finish their ambiguous bickering. Toly was waiting in a hoodie that looked like it belonged to Wilder and twisting the sleeve anxiously when Hawk swept through the door.
“I heard that you’re going to Blackhurst to help Casper Grim,” Toly said quickly. Hawk raised a brow at him before he gave Toly’s shoulder a gentle shake.
“I’ll be fine and Wilder’s mom can handle your checkups until I get back,” he teased. Toly was a terrible patient but he was in excellent health and he’d completely stolen Hawk’s heart. There was such a purity to Toly but he wasn’t naive or weak. He was one of the bravest and most selfless people Hawk had ever met and he considered himself blessed to count Toly as a friend.
“I hope you’ll come back. We’ll miss you,” Toly said and Hawk pulled him close for a hug then mussed his hair.
“I promise I’ll be back. You’ve all grown on me and it’s been good, hiding out here,” Hawk then slapped Wilder’s hand before he was wrapped in a tight embrace.
“We were just getting used to having you around. Don’t stay away too long,” Wilder said and Hawk nodded as he climbed the stairs. He was getting attached to Lake Cliff and the friendships he was building felt real and like they were worth holding onto. Hawk finally understood why Sage left Chicago and the beautiful foundation he’d built. Lake Cliff was just close enough to check in from time to time but it was far enough from the faces and places that haunted them. It was amazing to go for a run with Lane, Wilder and Lavender and see the same lake Hawk grew up with while feeling like he was a lifetime away from the city. The air still smelled and tasted the same, the nights were just as crisp, but Hawk didn’t think of all the horrors he saw on the streets or all the people he’d let down. And he rarely thought of her. Lake Cliff was just enough like home that Hawk could start over, without cutting himself off or turning his back on the people and things he loved most about his life in the city. A little more distance and a new challenge might be what you need to complete your metamorphosis into a real person, Hawk thought then mentally shook his head. He’d been too real for too long and had become numb—to himself, mostly. But he stopped feeling anything but bitter and disappointed until he got away from the city and Hawk could only get better, the farther he got.
“Who knows? I might be a new man when I get back.”
Chapter 2
“Welcome to Blackhurst,” Mr. Blink declared as the driver got out and went around to get the door. It opened on Blink’s side and Hawk leaned so he could see and immediately spotted the armed footmen and guards in tuxedos as they waited at the door and on the stairs. Blackhurst was a massive, elegant Beaux-Arts Gilded Era mansion but it was being guarded like a fortress. Hawk was warned but he was still thrown as Blink stepped out and murmured something to the driver—who was also armed. Blink turned and bent so he could see inside the car.
“Will you be joining me or should we bring the patient to you?” He asked. Hawk’s tongue pushed against the inside of his cheek. He didn’t like Blink and the feeling only grew, becoming an overwhelming desire to break his nose. Hawk couldn’t quite explain it but remembered that they were surrounded by Blink’s personal army and got out of the limo. “I thought we’d walk so we could discuss a few more...sensitive matters,” Blink said and gestured for Hawk to follow him as he strolled away. Hawk frowned as they left the gravel drive and crossed the front lawn. A young Hispanic man in a lab coat jogged to intercept them as they came around the side of the massive house and headed for the woods, beyond a row of stables.
“Sir! He stopped screaming but he hasn’t come out. I tried to get a look but he threw something at the door and threatened to burn the cottage down if I didn’t go away.”
“Thank you... Matteo?” Blink asked and the young man grinned as he nodded. He was gorgeous and he blushed as he ducked his head at Hawk.
“That’s correct! I work with Professor Elliot,” he stated quickly and waved at Hawk. “My uncle said someone heard screaming from the Widow’s Cottage and sent me to look. He’s in charge of the grounds,” he added excitedly and Hawk smiled as he offered his hand.
“Dr. Hawkesworth, Matteo,” he said, since it appeared Blink wasn’t in a hurry to introduce them. The younger man’s face fell.
“You’re going in there?” He realized, his face paling as he looked behind him at the woods. Hawk remembered Lavender’s concern and slid Blink an expectant look.
“That will be all, Matteo,” Blink said dryly and Matteo’s gaze darted to Hawk’s then to the main house.
“Is he going in alone?” He asked in a hushed whisper, as if he was urging Blink to reconsider.
“That will be all, Matteo,” Blink repeated a touch more firmly and Matteo flinched before he took off for the house. Blink cleared his throat and turned back to Hawk. “Please,” he said and his arm swept out elegantly. “It isn’t too much of a walk,” he murmured then pushed his hands into his pockets as he strode for the woods. Hawk’s shoulders tightened with tension and the hairs on the back of his neck stood as he followed. He was wearing a pea coat and pulled it tighter around him as the chilly darkness of the woods swallowed them. Blink appeared immune and whistled softly as he stepped over a gnarled root. “There’s a road but I enjoy these woods at night. It’s almost a straight shot from the kitchen terrace, if you choose to walk,” he told Hawk and he hummed as he looked behind him. He could see the house’s lights through the trees.