Chapter 29

29

"That smells like real food," Fenn announced, lifting his head to sniff the air wafting from the living quarters on the far side of the warehouse. He sounded surprised.

Kate didn't blame him. Judging from the shrink-wrapped pallets of supplies, Hawk had a serious stash of MREs.

Between the time––oh-dark-midnight––and the emotional turmoil, hunger had been the last thing on her mind until Fenn called her attention to the aroma of meat and spices. She followed Fenn back into the tiny house area of the warehouse. They found Hawk bustling around the small kitchen, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious.

As they sat down to eat, Hawk explained that he had evidence that would keep the Consortium away from all of them. "I just need you to fly me out, Kate."

Uncertainty flickered in her chest. Something about this didn't feel right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"Oh, and there's one other thing," Hawk added, almost as an afterthought.

Fenn made a disbelieving noise. "You have a hidden twin?" he asked sarcastically.

Hawk ignored the jibe and focused on her. "I need you to help me get the actual evidence. It's back at the abandoned radio station."

Kate's heart skipped a beat. A dangerous outing, if the Consortium was as close as Hawk suggested. "Why do you need to go back there?"

Hawk set the serving spoon down next to the stove. "I can retrieve it myself, but I figured having backup would be the smart play. If the Consortium gets my evidence…"

He didn't have to spell out the consequences.

"Wherever Kate goes, I go." Fenn piped up immediately.

To her surprise, Hawk actually thanked him. "Excellent. I appreciate that."

Fenn shrugged. "Not doing it for you, dude."

"Understood." Hawk didn't seem concerned with Fenn's lack of support.

Fenn fingered an empty bean can. "I'm just saying, it seems awfully convenient that you've got this evidence stashed somewhere just far enough away that bodies might never be found."

Hawk shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "I could have popped you two yesterday."

Fenn touched the back of his head. "You did ‘pop' me."

Hawk snorted. "I knew Kitty Cat would save your scrawny six." He shook his head. "Sorry. I didn't mean that. Believe what you want, but I'm telling the truth about that evidence."

Fenn scoffed. "Right. Because you've been so honest with Kate up until now."

Despite the truth in his words, Fenn's rudeness ate at her. "Stop it. Hawk's trying to help us."

Hawk held up a hand, his expression understanding. "It's okay. Given your relationship, I can see why he'd be suspicious."

Kate's eyes widened at the implication. "We're not… Fenn and I aren't a couple."

"Why does everybody think we're a couple?" Fenn complained, sounding irritated.

His words were surprisingly deflated. What happened to the sly looks, the growing emotional intimacy between them? But she knew what happened. Hawk.

Fenn was skittish about attachments at the best of times. He caught the eye of lots of women, but she couldn't recall him talking about anyone special. Ever. And now her painful baggage had morphed into a three-thousand-pound gorilla. She could see why he'd back away.

She'd only known Hawk was alive for what, an hour? Probably not wise to draw any long-term conclusions yet, but she couldn't imagine going there with Hawk again. Those feelings died a long time ago.

But her feelings for Fenn were far from flatlined. Clearly, though, given Fenn's reaction, they might as well be.

As they ate their meal, the men continued to argue about the planned trip back to the abandoned station. Kate listened, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

Fenn swallowed a hefty bite of chili, lifting his fork to make a point. "If the Consortium's been keeping tabs on you, wouldn't they have searched the station the minute you left?"

Hawk nodded, his expression confident. "Sure. They've searched it. Lots of times. But they'll never find the evidence. Trust me."

"Not likely," Fenn muttered.

Hawk ignored the jibe, pushing back his chair and standing up. "There's extra bedding in the closet. Why don't the two of you get yourselves set up for some shut-eye?" He glanced at his watch. "You can give me your decision in the morning. I'm heading out the minute the storm clears. Weather service says the winds will abate around 10 a.m. local time, but I want to be ready to jet if the weather breaks early."

She glanced over at Fenn, trying to gauge his reaction. But his expression was unreadable, his jaw clenched tight.

She pushed herself to her feet. "We'll let you know in the morning."

Hawk nodded, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. "Get some rest, Kitty Cat. You're going to need it."

A shiver ran down her spine at the nickname. It had been so long since anyone had called her that. So long since she'd heard Hawk's voice, felt the warmth of his gaze on her skin.

But as she followed Fenn to the closet to grab some bedding, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Hawk wasn't telling them the whole truth.

She glanced over at Fenn, wondering if he felt it too. But he was focused on the task at hand, his movements quick and efficient as he pulled out blankets and pillows.

Shutting her out, or shutting his own emotions in?

She took a deep breath, trying to push away her doubts about Hawk. About his plan. She needed to trust her instincts, needed to focus on the mission at hand.

Recriminations, and maybe repairs, could come later, when she and Fenn were back at Redemption Creek.

As she lay down on the makeshift bed, the sound of the wind howling outside, she wondered what the morning would bring. Would they find the evidence Hawk promised? Would they be able to keep the Consortium at bay?

Or would they be walking into a trap, their fates sealed by the man she once loved?

She closed her eyes, trying to push away the thoughts. She needed sleep.

But as she drifted off, the image of Hawk's face lingered in her mind, his words echoing in her ears.

Get some rest, Kitty Cat. You're going to need it.