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I bite the pad ofup Hawk When Wrench called and told me that Haas hurt, I left Gabriel with ht over to Taylor's Christ, I was thinking all sorts My iht find him in

There were a handful of Snakes here, all with minor injuries that Taylor had or would patch up They were all in good spirits, so I kneithout asking that no one had been killed My sto that

I was so relieved to see that Haasn't seriously hurt, that when I finally let out the breath I'd been holding in, I almost passed out He doesn't have broken or cracked ribs, but they are, badly bruised His knee is alsoout from under him

I'lad Hawk is okay, but I'ically, soet hurt There are always casualties of so to strangle Hawk for putting himself in that situation However, I knew the ot involved with hirow a thicker skin because if I don't, I won't last in this life It's not always going to be easy to act tough when it co it, but it's either deal with it, or leave Leaving is not an option

I need to do what Nova taught er, and push it elsewhere Push it away until I'o with a huge screa ring and hit the shit out of so

What I'd like to hit right now is Hawk!

“Why would you take on three men at once?”

“Mom! Jesus, it's not like I had a choice They came at me What was I supposed to do? Stand there and let them kill me?”

Taylor shakes her head and sighs “Of course, not I' with one on today Her son's and her husband could have been killed I can't even i like this happens I watch as she finishes wrapping Hawk's elevated knee, and gets to her feet

“Mo? You don't usually get this het up over a few bruises”

She leans down and kisses his head “I'm fine, sweetheart Here take these,” She hands hilass of water “I love you, Hawk”

“Love you, too, Mom” I watch hilass to Taylor

“I'll leave you two alone” Taylor shoots me a smile and leaves the room

I look at Hawk sitting in the plush armchair beside the , in this his childhood bedroo but his boxer briefs with a towel lying over his lap Hawk's right side is partially covered in angry red and purple bruises His leg looks just as bad Even bandaged, I can see hoollen it is

“I know you're angry with me, baby, and I'm sorry I've upset you,”

“I'ry,” I cut him off and push ry anyh me has dissipated I'm just so very thankful he's alive “I was for a few er This is who you are, and I need to get used to it”

Hawk stares at iven hilassy-eyed look “Come here,” He holds his hand out to me

I should give him a piece of my mind, et uewill be resolved It won't because nothing will ever change when it comes to Hawk and his part with Snakes Hench up

I take Hawk's hand and gently climb onto his lap, careful not to touch his left knee, and keep ht side He wraps his arms around my waist and lays his head on my shoulder “You could have been killed today” I stroke h his hair

“Today didn't go as planned Nova decided to turn up and take s calh that none of what happened would have”

Why am I not surprised?

“What did she do this time?”

Hawk rests his head back against the chair and looks at me “She took out the Coyotes new president, who turned out to be Kong's older brother Not that Kong will be bothered, they hated each other The Coyotes new VP didn't take kindly to what Nova had done, and a fight broke out”

“Did we lose anyone?” I didn't think we had when I saw the others outside I s hard because now I'm not so sure

“No,” Hawk smiles, and my heart beats a little slower “We didn't lose anyone A few of us have so that won't heal in time”

I cup Hawk's face, and stroke his cheek withto do with you?” He sh I'm still a little annoyed, I fall deeper in love with him “I know this is who you are, and I would never ask you to change, but I'm not sure I can deal with this”