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His words are meant to be demeaning, and they work. I finally let the tears run down my face. They soak into the comforter covering Mary, and, as if she can sense my distress, her hand becomes a lot more gentle as is runs over my hair.
“You disobeyed my direct order, Hawk.” The president repeats the words from moments ago. “I can’t let that slide. You need to be punished for it.”
I can’t believe what’s happening right now. I can’t be responsible for Hawk losing his life. I disentangle my hair from Mary’s fingers and sit up. The movement brings both men’s attention to me. I should feel intimidated, but I am way past all that.
“What gives you the right to play God and decide to end our lives?” I snap at the president. “You want to punish me for what, doing what I had to do so I wouldn’t die at the hands of Bricks and Snake? For buying into their stories about your club? For thinking I was actually helping when in turn I was being used by you?”
The president is taken aback by my attitude. I can’t make myself to care about it. I’m not scared of him or anyone else anymore. Why would I be when the result would be the same? Me, dead. That’s what they are arguing over right now.
“If you weren’t such a problem, I could actually like you,” the president tells me. “Hawk bringing you here was a huge mistake, one that could cost the club a lot of money, connections and reputation. We can’t have that.”
I rub my hands up and down my face in an effort to buy myself some time.
“Why can’t you just let me disappear on my own?” I try to plead with him. “Pretend like you killed me. I got money…”
I almost want to take the words back as soon as they are out. I don’t need to advertise my financial status.
“We have a lot more money than you, sweetheart,” he smirks at me, sounding condescending. “Stealing from a stripper has never been our style.”
“But killing a stripper is your style?” I fight back.
He smirks again. “There are casualties in certain situations.”
I am getting frustrated by the fact that I don’t seem to be getting anywhere with him. Deciding that tonight needs to be my last one here, I try to play nice so that he can at least feel comfortable with not killing me right now.
“That’s enough.”
Hawk’s voice booms all around us.
“Leave her alone,” he addresses his president. “At least for now,” he adds. It is like he can read my mind and understands that I need just a little bit of time.
The president turns his cold eyes toward Hawk. He looks surprised that Hawk is openly taking my side, at least temporarily.
“Interesting,” he murmurs right before a mask of fury falls over his face. “You will be at the club in three hours, no later than. Church,” he adds. “We will put it up for vote. Whether you live or die is not a question anymore. Only how.”
He turns on his heels and walks out of the room, but not before looking over his shoulder one more time. His eyes look for Mary before moving to me.
“Say your goodbyes, sweetheart.”
The door finally closes behind him. Mary is back asleep by now, so at least we don’t have to worry about her having another attack. I remain in my spot, unsure of what to say to Hawk.
“I should’ve never brought you here.”
I jump when he touches me with the tips of his fingers. He traces my shoulder blades, but doesn’t attempt to do anything more.
“Why didn’t you kill me back at the motel?” I ask. It is a logical question because that would’ve been the easiest thing to do.
“Because there was something in your eyes that pulled at my heartstrings,” he explains in a low tone. “It still does…”
He grabs my hand and pulls me to follow him. Unsure of what’s going on, I do just that. I am surprised when he opens a door that leads to a bedroom. From my understanding, it’s never been used before because Mary always felt more comfortable out there.
When we are close enough to the bed, he turns us around so we can face each other. He once again slides a hand under my hair and bends over me until our mouths are closer to touching. For someone who refused to kiss before, he seems to be almost too eager to do it with me now.
“I need one more time with you,” he whispers to me but still doesn’t kiss me just yet.
“What will happen tomorrow?” I whisper back.
His lips turn into a sad smile that says it all.
