It took all the strength I could muster not to launch through the curtain and crash tackle the bitch to the ground and then pound mercilessly on her face. And then I reminded myself, she’s pregnant. A hand rested on my shoulder and I started with fright. I hadn’t realized I’d been hunched over gripping the curtain. Like a resident sleuth, I was doing my best to remain unseen.
That was until I turned to see him standing there, a smile pulling at his lips.
He took my elbow and helped me straighten.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I whispered.
He leaned in close, so his lips grazed my ear. “I’ve been standing behind you for ages.”
“Pervert.”
“Absolutely. Call her out.” Hawk took my hand in his, and together we waited in front of the curtain.
He’d heard it all.
He’d heard the confession, and a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
And now it was his turn to settle the score.
“Ladies, can I see you both for a moment?”
“Coming,” they both called before the curtain flung open.
Tiffany immediately walked out of sight, her part of the play now over. Celeste, however, was a different story. She stood, like a deer in headlights, wide-eyed and sprung.
“Here...” Hawk threw her a silk gown and she caught it. “Put it on.”
She did so, looking cautiously through her long lashes. It was then she saw Hawk’s hand holding mine, and she realized her game was up.
“Why be so malicious, Celeste?” I asked.
“I don’t see it as malicious.” Her voice was small. “I want a safe home for my child.”
“You can’t fool a man into believing a kid is his when it’s not. That’s self-serving.”
“Call it what you want.”
“Celeste,” Hawk began his tone even. “I was willing to give up everything I knew to look after the child you told me was mine. I was ready to love it and ensure it had the best family life possible. I’m sure if you told your high school sweetheart he was expecting a child, he too would endeavor to do the same.” Hawk was so calm and collected. Had I been in his situation I inevitably would have lost my shit by now.
Celeste remained quiet... for once.
“You lied to my face. You lied to my friends. You spun your lies so well you had us all convinced it was the truth. So much so, I hurt the woman I love because I second-guessed everything I knew.”
There was a pause and still nothing from Celeste. She reminded me of a school girl caught for stealing.
“Any contracts you have with Carnage Industries will be terminated. As an act of grace and because you’re expecting, I’ll keep this to myself, so it doesn’t affect your future employment.”
“Thank you.” She made moves to quickly retreat.
“And, Celeste...” Hawk stopped her, “... I wasn’t born into a wealthy family and look at everything I’ve achieved. Do right by your child...” There was another pause, and all Celeste could do was look at us both with her doe eyes.
Did she expect a handout?
Did she expect us all to hug and sing Kumbaya together?
“You need to get changed and leave. Immediately,” Hawk instructed.
Nodding her head, she disappeared into the change room.
Hawk pulled me away until far enough out of earshot. “I’ve got to go and deal with problem number two.”
“Is she here?”
“In my office.”
“Okay,” I responded nervously. There were many ways this could go. It would either dig the hole deeper, and the media would have a field day with it, and Rita could leave with her tail between her legs. Or the Renshaw’s could win and effectively destroy everything Hawk had created.
Hawk caressed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Britta.”
I kissed his palm.
“I’m going to spend a lot of time making this up to you, Britta. I promise I will.”
I smiled, certain my dirty thoughts were written all over my smitten face. “You can start tonight,” I suggested.
“Britta Valentino, you are the right kind of naughty.”HawkShe was sitting with her back to me. Long red hair cascading down the chair’s backrest. I could already smell her perfume, and I hadn’t even walked through the glass door.
“Rita,” I said by way of greeting as I stepped inside.
She stood, all smiles like she hadn’t been responsible for slandering my name with assault allegations.
“Good to see you, Hawk.” Rita’s smile turned into a knowing smirk. I’d love to have wiped that off her face. She seemed mighty confident for a woman who was about to be schooled. Walking around to my desk, I unbuttoned my suit jacket and waited for her to take a seat before I did the same.
For a moment, we just stared at each other in a silent stand-off. She crossed one leg over the other, uncaring that her red dress was creeping up her thigh.