Chapter Twenty-Eight

Laura

"M r. Palmer, I set the alarm on your phone myself last time you were here, so there's no reason that you keep forgetting to take your medicine." The seventy-year-old didn't like to be told what to do, and a regular regimen of pills was the ultimate dictator. He was one of the ER's frequent fliers, a lovely man, but stubborn as a mule. "You can't just decide not to take your pills."

He flashed his most charming smile my way. "But I feel good."

"Yes, now you do, because your meds are working. But you weren't so good when you were brought in here earlier."

"Yeah, okay. Fine. I won't ignore the damn alarm, but only for you, Laura."

"I'll take it," I answered with a smile, and patted his hand before I left him grumbling in the room.

"Laura, there you are!" Eric was in the hall waiting for me with wide eyes.

I signed heavily. "I don't have time for this." I turned away from him in frustration. He was never this interested in me when we were together. Not that he'd been a bad boyfriend at first, he was sweet and attentive, but once we became exclusive, he'd grown bored and his eyes—and dick—began to wander. He grabbed my arm to stop me from walking away and I whirled around with fire in my eyes. "Let me go!" I shouted the words loud enough to draw attention from the passing hospital staff.

"Fine." He released me and took a step back, but he leaned in. "Just take this," he said, and shoved a two-inch thick folder at me. "It's proof that your boyfriend isn't who or what you think he is."

"Give it up, Eric." I rolled my eyes and pushed the folder back at him. "I can see right through what you're doing, and honestly, it's starting to get old. You're jealous and making up stories."

"I'm serious, Laura. This isn't about us, this is about you being in constant danger because of him."

"Different men bring different types of danger," I said. "At least Hawk isn't deliberately trying to hurt me."

His temper flared but he tamped it down quickly. "Fine, I'm an asshole and a jerk, but I'm serious. This guy is into some serious shit, and you need to stay away from him."

"Right." If only he'd put forth this much effort not to cheat on me, things might've been different. "He's been protecting me." Why in the hell was I explaining anything to him?

"I'm being honest, Laura. He's into all the bad shit, trafficking in drugs and people, selling guns to bad guys, and even murder for hire. It's all in here. Don't take my word for it, just look at it and come to your own conclusion." His expression was so damn earnest that I almost believed him. Almost, but not quite. "Take it. Please."

"Fine, but don't come back here again. And don't call me or find me."

"He's going to be arrested any day now, and if you're with him, that won't look good for you. Or your career."

I snatched the folder from him and snarled. "Don't act like you give a damn about me or my career, Eric."

My hands trembled as I walked away from Eric and my mind instantly thought about all the things he'd accused Hawk of doing and being. Just like last time , my mind answered. He had accused Hawk before and I believed him instinctively and I hurt him.

***

I'd gotten off work early, I was supposed to wait for Hawk, but after Eric's visit I was so mad I needed to get out of the hospital, so as soon as I clocked out, I headed to my car.

I didn't even bother to change out of my scrubs because I was too damn eager to see what was in the file. Not because I believed Eric, but because I wanted to give Hawk a heads-up if the police really were after him. Inside the relative safety of my car, I inhaled a deep breath and slowly let it out as I opened the folder.

The first photo I saw was Hawk with Melanie Winchester. It was black and white, and on top in Eric's familiar handwriting was the word extortion . There was a photo of him leaning against a burgundy car with a brick of what appeared to be drugs in his hand. Another was a long-distance image of him with three young girls who looked to be underage.

My heart skipped as I took in dozens of photos of Hawk in the thick of some truly awful criminal activity. Tears slipped down my cheeks when it dawned on me that I was being played for a fool. Again. I was falling for Hawk. No, that was a lie, I had fallen for Hawk. I loved him and I was prepared to turn my heart over to him when I never knew who he really was.

Eric was an asshole, he was a liar and a cheat. As a man, he was a worthless piece of controlling shit.

But he was a cop, and he was damn good at his job. He had an exemplary record and was known to be thorough and diligent. I had no reason not to believe him when it came to police evidence. It was here in my hands in black and white—the first time I was targeted was because of what I'd seen, but the second and third time? Or the other night when we were shot at? That was all down to who I was with.

Hawk.

I didn't want to believe it, but there was no other explanation.

I wanted to drive back to Hawk's place and pack my bags, but I'd promised him last time that I'd talk through any concerns.

I knew Eric was hoping this information would send me running back into his arms, but that wasn't ever going to happen. Maybe it was time that I stood on my own two feet again and looked out for myself?

Dammit! When had my life gotten so complicated? Stepping out of my car I headed to the only person I knew who would give me a dose of good old commonsense.