Hawk (Reckless Kings MC #2) - Harley Wylde Page 0,48

been stubborn and refused to ask for help. To be fair, if I’d gone crawling home, I never would have seen Hawk again. He still wouldn’t know about Freya, and I wouldn’t be here with him right now. I’d always thought things happened for a reason, even when we didn’t understand them.

Beast came over to talk to my dad and Hawk. He brought Freya home. I cleaned her up and fed her while the men dealt with the issue of the drugs in my car. She yawned and smacked her lips once her belly was full and I’d put a fresh diaper on her. I almost placed her in her crib, but my dad had never held her. He’d seen her around town, and even up close a few times. Not once had he asked to hold her. It had broken my heart.

I carried her to the kitchen and the men lowered their voices so they wouldn’t wake her. I paused next to my dad’s chair and held Freya out to him. His gaze locked on mine before taking her into his arms. His face softened as he looked down at her. I’d have even sworn it looked like he might cry for a brief moment, but I couldn’t remember ever seeing my dad shed a tear.

“She’s beautiful, Hayley. You did good.”

I smiled and ran my fingers over her hair. “Thanks, Dad.”

Hawk held out his hand and I went to him, letting him pull me down onto his lap. He banded an arm around my waist and kissed the side of my neck. I didn’t know what to think of our relationship, but I was eager to see where things might go. He said claiming me was forever. If that was the case, we had a lifetime to figure things out.

“We aren’t going to solve this today,” Beast said. “Chief Daniels, why don’t you spend some time with your family. Typically, we’d offer you a guest house, but having a cop around might make everyone here a bit antsy. Your kind doesn’t usually like us too much.”

“Understandable. But just so we’re clear, I’m not here as a cop. I’m here as a father and grandfather. Not to mention I don’t have jurisdiction.”

Beast smiled. “In that case, you’re welcome to the guest house. I’ll have someone stock the kitchen, assuming you’ll be here a few days.”

My dad nodded. “If my daughter is all right with me staying, I’d like to remain here until we figure out who’s after her. However long that takes.”

“Won’t the department miss you?” I asked.

“I put in for a few days off. I can request more. Let the mayor know it’s a family emergency. Can’t promise your mom won’t try to drive here. I damn near had to cuff her just to get her to remain behind.”

I laughed and shook my head. It didn’t surprise me. My mom let my dad think he was getting his way, but often she did her own thing anyway. Which meant she was probably already on her way here.

“Then it’s settled,” Beast said. “I’ll have the kitchen stocked, and make sure you have anything else you might need. Hawk can show you where it is when you’re ready to retire for the night.”

My dad shook Beast’s hand and thanked him. The big Pres walked out with one last look at Freya. It seemed my daughter was going to wrap everyone around her little finger.

“While I’m sure Hayley would like to cook for you, I say we order something. If it can’t be delivered, I can have someone pick it up,” Hawk said. “It will give the two of you more time together.”

My dad glared at him. “I’ll have plenty of time for her, and for you. The asshole who knocked up my baby girl and left her.”

“Dad, stop.” I placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not Hawk’s fault. Remember what I told you before. It takes two people to make a baby, and he didn’t know about Freya. I never told him.”

“And why is that?” my dad asked.

“Because she thought I wouldn’t want a family,” Hawk said. “She was wrong, by the way.”

“You clearly already knew her the night you caught her stalker. Is that why you were in town? Because of Hayley?” my dad asked.

Hawk nodded. “I heard she was in trouble and I wanted to help. I’d hoped she might want to see me again, but she acted like she’d never met me. I waited all night, thinking