“What happened? What are you doing?” Casper asked as he sat up and instinctively braced himself. Hawk’s eyes darted at the window, toward Blackhurst, and Casper didn’t like it. “What?” He demanded.
“A friend walked in as his apartment was being robbed and he was attacked. They set a fire and left him but a neighbor got him out before the fire department could get there. He’s in the hospital and Maisie and I are the closest thing he has to family,” Hawk explained quickly as he rushed around the room, folding clothes and making piles on the bed.
“You’re leaving,” Casper realized. He started to panic and became cold but Hawk made a loud shushing sound as he reached for him.
“I’ll be back in a few days. I have to make sure he’s ok and see what I can salvage at his place before it’s picked through. Phee’s helped us rescue a lot of kids and he’s helped a lot of them escape dangerous pasts. He’s got files and pictures I’ve got to save and his computers...” He cupped Casper’s cheek and pulled him close for a kiss. “I’ll make sure Blink comes to check on you but I won’t be gone a moment longer than I have to.” He apologized as he pushed Casper back onto the bed. “I’ll miss you too much and I won’t be able to sleep without you.”
“I understand,” Casper said but he was scared. He knew Hawk had to go, if someone needed rescuing. But Casper also knew exactly who “Phee” was. “You should go. He needs your help,” he agreed and smiled bravely. Hawk’s brow furrowed as he watched Casper.
“You don’t have to worry about Phee or Maisie. Or anyone,” he added. His thumb tugged at Casper’s lip before he kissed him hungrily. “I have to go but I’m not leaving you. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he swore.
“You promise?” Casper asked shakily.
“No longer than two days. Please trust me and don’t hurt yourself. You’ll just make more work for me when I get back,” Hawk scolded tenderly and Casper nodded.
“I’ll try my best,” he said and searched Hawk’s eyes. “Just come back!”
“I’ve never lied to you, Casper. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Hawk said slowly and clearly then pulled Casper into his arms. “There’s nothing there for me anymore and this feels better,” he whispered into Casper’s hair and kneaded the tension from his back.
“I’ll be fine,” Casper lied and buried his face in Hawk’s chest. He squeezed his eye shut and Casper begged fate and the universe to grant him this one bit of good luck and bring Hawk back.
Chapter 26
“Please don’t hurt yourself and take your meds when the alarms go off,” Hawk whispered as he traced Casper’s cheek. It took hours and Hawk almost threw out his back, wearing Casper out. He left notes everywhere so Casper would feel like Hawk was still watching and he prayed the cottage was still standing when he got back. “I’ll work as fast as I can and I won’t be gone a minute longer than I have to,” he promised again then silently slipped out of the bedroom.
His backpack was waiting by the door with everything he’d need for a few days. Not that he’d need anything. Hawk was going back to Chicago, to his place. Hawk smiled as he pulled the strap over his shoulder and checked to make sure a car was waiting then looked back at the kitchen and at the stairs. He wanted to be a different man when he returned to Chicago and he was. Hawk had a new heart and a new purpose, if Casper didn’t destroy the cottage or himself while he was away.
“Two days at the most,” he promised, then turned off the light and left. He decided he’d tell Phee to pack up anything of Hawk’s he didn’t need and put it all in storage. They already decided Phee would stay in Hawk’s loft for as long as he needed so he might as well make himself at home. Hawk couldn’t see himself going back and it felt good, knowing Casper was waiting for him. The good feeling was gone when Hawk got into the back of the limo and found Blink waiting.
“Good morning, doctor,” Blink said and Hawk grunted as he got comfortable and crossed his arms over his chest.
“It was. I didn’t realize we were carpooling to the airport.”
“I’m expecting a delivery so I thought we’d drive together and catch up,” Blink said and Hawk’s brows pulled together as he pushed his sleeve back and checked his watch.
“It’s quarter to six in the morning. And what the fuck is there to catch up on? Casper’s doing great and I’m hoping I can pick up his new leg while I’m in Chicago and bring it back with me.”
“So, it is your intention to return,” Blink said. Hawk threw his hands up and spluttered.
“What is your problem and why do you presume that it’s any of your business?”
“Because I’m all he has,” Blink replied in a low rumble that Hawk suspected was intended to scare him.
“Not anymore. He’s got me and I’ll prove it to him, if he doesn’t believe me yet.” He smiled at Blink and waited for him to signal his next move. Blink was quiet as they passed the main house and his head craned as he enjoyed the view of the park. Hawk glanced at the windows. It was still dark but the wide, long lawn and the landscaping were impressive. He rarely saw the other side of the estate and never went past the kitchen, when he visited the main house. The car drove through the massive iron gates and Blink sighed as he sat back.
“I know you don’t believe this but I have yours and Casper’s best interests at heart,” he said and Hawk snorted loudly. “No, really,” Blink insisted. “Casper’s waited his whole life to belong to someone. I hoped I could be enough but he’s gone and latched onto a man who can’t seem to make up his mind.”
“How many people did you sleep with last week?” Hawk asked and Blink laughed softly.
“You’re missing the point. Casper doesn’t care that I never fuck the same escort twice or that I like to alternate between men and women,” he said and Hawk went ahead and saluted Blink. Very few amongst the staff were brave enough to gossip about Blink and a lot of it was just an educated guess on Hawk’s part, but it was enlightening to have his suspicions confirmed. It really wasn’t hard to figure out what Blink’s almost nightly after-dinner appointments were or why they arrived through the kitchen entrance instead of the front door. Hawk only knew it was nearly nightly because the limo always passed through the woods on the way to the house and back. The only reason Blink wouldn’t drive guests through the front gates was if he didn’t want their arrival on camera. According to Matteo, the groundskeeper’s cameras were on a different feed and the footage wasn’t saved unless there was a security breach. It was especially telling what Blink chose to keep hidden from himself, seeing as it was his house and his cameras.
“Casper doesn’t have to worry about that. Neither do you. Because it’s none of your business.”
“Just remember that I have incinerators—if things should go poorly between you and Casper—and I don’t ask questions about what he burns in them,” Blink informed Hawk with a very wide grin. Hawk bit down on his lips and squinted as he considered.