Chapter Six

Laura

"W hy do you think you should drive my car?" I sounded like a petulant child, and I knew it, but I couldn't seem to stop myself. "I can drive, you know."

Hawk nodded, his smile fixed in place as if I was the most amusing thing to ever grace his presence. "I know you can drive, but I am a better driver. Plus, I know where we're going."

"I know where we're going too," I said as he opened the passenger door for me.

"You know the destination, but do you know the address or how to actually get there?" He was smug and, dammit, Hawk being smug was still better than most men being charming.

"Maybe if you had shared those details with me." I was pouting, but I couldn't help myself. "Whatever," I muttered before I dropping down into the passenger seat. "Let's go."

Hawk did a shit job of hiding his satisfied smile as he closed the door and strolled around the front of the car. His long, denim-clad legs moved at a lazy pace as if he was unrushed and unbothered.

It was entirely too appealing.

I kept my focus ahead as the car started to move but I was completely aware of every move Hawk made. The way his big, capable hands slid effortlessly along the steering wheel, his intense focus on the road and everything around him. It was almost hypnotic, and I knew I needed to snap out of it. He was a fake boyfriend. A means to an end. Nothing more. "Explain this to me again, please. We're going to see Melanie Winchester. Why?"

His jaw clenched almost imperceptibly, but it wasn't annoyance, at least I didn't think it was. It felt as if he was trying to figure out if he could trust me. "It's unusual that none of the businesses in the neighborhood told us about the extortion. We protect them, and not by fucking extorting them. We own businesses in town too and we all have a vested interest in looking out for each other. It's better for the town if we all thrive." He shook his head and smacked the steering wheel, slamming down on the gas when the light turned green. "Usually, the owners come to us when there are problems and it's concerning as fuck that they haven't. Not one of them."

His words surprised me. "So they know you're bikers, and they still let you know when someone is being mean to them?"

He laughed. "Something like that."

Another new nugget of information to process later. "So, what's in the box." He'd shown up with a box of stuff that he placed in my trunk, which in hindsight I should've been more concerned about.

"The club girls and the old ladies put together a care package. I'm not sure what's all in it, but they're good with shit like that."

I laughed. "Shit like caring and concern?"

He shrugged. "Shit like whatever helps people through the grief."

Even through his gruffness, he was a sweet man. A kind man. "That was nice of you guys."

"We're nice guys," he said, and pulled up in front of a blue cottage style house with pale blue shutters. "We're here."

"Okay," I said when he cut the engine. "What's the game plan?"

"Just be genuine. The only lie we're telling her is about our relationship. Otherwise, we're just checking in and getting information."

"Okay, I can do that." I didn't like it, and using this poor woman for information didn't sit well with me, but if this would help the Steel Demons keep me safe, then I had to do it. Didn't I? "I'm good," I said, more to myself than to Hawk as I exited the car.

He grabbed the box and together we marched up the stairs. Hawk wore a sympathetic smile when the door opened. "Mrs. Winchester, my name is Dominic, and I am so sorry for your loss."

She blinked rapidly and tears slipped down her cheeks. "Thank you. Did you know Mark?"

"Not well, but I'm a business owner here in town too so we knew each other some. This is my girlfriend, Laura, she knew Mark from the community center."

"Mark always wanted to help the community. It's just how he was." Speaking of her husband in the past tense made Melanie emotional and it was heartbreaking to witness.

Hawk set the box on the floor and wrapped an arm around her. "I hate that this happened to such a good man. We need more people like him around here."

She nodded against his chest and clung to his t-shirt.

I was surprised at how gentle he was with Mark's widow, and it was yet another side of the biker that I had to reconcile with my first impression.

"The kids really loved him," I added, because it was something I would want to know about my husband. "He taught them that baking wasn't just for women, that there was a science to it as well. They all respected him."

"Thank you for saying that." A few minutes later she got a handle on her emotions and pulled back. Her gaze settled on Hawk first, his vest and the patches, and then on me. "I know you. Sort of."

Hawk grinned. "You helped wrangle things at the clothing drive we did a while back."

"Right. The bikers who help the community." Her smile was genuine. "Mark really admired you guys." Melanie motioned for us to take a seat. "How can I help you, Dominic?"

Hawk nodded and scrubbed a hand down his face before he blew out a breath. "Laura was there when Mark was killed. She tried to help him, but the guys came back and chased her away." He turned to me, and I guessed it was my cue to jump in with the story.

"They beat him up pretty bad, and since I'm a nurse, I instinctively went to help. He refused to pay whatever they were asking, and they just kept beating him." I shook my head and closed my eyes. "They had their faces covered and I just ran. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I was so scared." Guilt overwhelmed me at the admission. "I'm so sorry."

"Why didn't you go to the police?" There was no recrimination in her voice, and that only made me feel worse.

"I did, but there wasn't anything I could say that would help. They were all in black and wearing masks. I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

Hawk rested a hand on my thigh. "Yesterday, they attempted to kidnap her to keep her from talking. They must have thought she knew more than she did."

Melanie gasped and both hands flew to her mouth. "I am so sorry."

"So am I, Melanie. I haven't gone to the police because I don't know what to tell them. They couldn't do anything the first time. Do you have any idea who they might be?"

"Not specifically, but a man came into the bakery a few weeks ago and said we owed them twelve hundred dollars a month for protection, which we didn't ask for. They were insistent, but so was Mark."

"He was a good man. I didn't know him well, but he was a standup guy who only wanted the best for the people in his community. I wish I could have done more."

Melanie nodded and turned to Hawk. "Are you going to do something about them? Our business isn't the only one who owes those guys. Even if they've managed to pay, they won't be able to for much longer. It's robbery."

Hawk nodded. "I can't promise anything, Melanie, but we are looking into it as of right this fucking minute. Can I ask, if you know, why no one came to us about this?"

"We were warned to keep our mouths shut, or else." She let out a bitter laugh. "What can they do to me now?"

"You'll be safe. One of us will keep an eye on you and the shop until we figure this out. But please, if you have any problems, call us. It's no trouble." He stood and picked up the box. "The girls brought you some meals and other stuff to make this time easier for you. Nothing will bring back Mark, but I hope this helps."

"Thank you. Both of you." She swiped away more tears and stood. "This is incredibly thoughtful."

"Of course," I told her. "If you need anything, feel free to call. I work long hours, but Mark was one of us and he'd want me to be here for you."

"Thank you. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know." She walked us to the door, her sadness palpable. "Thank you again."

"That was really kind of you," I whispered to Hawk when we were back inside the car.

"Like I told you, I'm a really nice guy." He flashed a smile and started the car. "Hungry?"

I weighed my options. It was entirely too appealing to spend time with this version of Hawk and I needed to be careful. "I could eat."

Tomorrow. I would be careful tomorrow.