Lying Braxton back on the mattress, Hawk rushed over to Garret. “What the fuck did you give them?” He bounced the wiry man against the wall.
Tears streamed down Garret’s face. “Nothing. I swear. I didn’t know they were your kids. I’m not fucking around with you.” Pointing his finger at the man on the ground, he shook his head. “It was all his idea. I didn’t wanna do it. He’s done all this shit. He thought it’d be funny to take your kids. I didn’t know they were Insurgents.” He spoke fast and kept repeating himself.
“I’m gonna get the other guys in here. We need to call Doc,” Banger said as he went to the front door.
Hawk and Throttle went back over to the man crumpled on the soiled carpet. Hawk grabbed him by the collar of his dress shirt and yanked him up. “What the fuck did you give our kids?”
“I…” He stumbled on his words. Hawk shook him hard. “Benadryl,” he mumbled.
“What the fuck?” Throttle said.
Hawk look behind him and saw Throttle jerk his head back. “What?” Hawk asked.
“That’s Mr. Christiansen. He’s one of my clients. What the fuck, dude?” Throttle came next to Evan, who hung his head down.
“Aren’t you one of the fuckin’ head honchos at Brighter Lives? You took my son?”
Evan Christiansen shrugged as he slowly raised his head.
“That’s all you have to say, asshole?” His fist collided with Evan’s cheekbone, snapping his neck backward like a pine tree caught in the wind.
“I can’t fuckin’ believe it’s you. Why the hell did you do it?” Throttle rubbed his hand over his chin.
“He’s the one breaking into people’s houses and destroying their Christmas.” Garret wiped his nose on his shirt sleeve.
“You’re the one who attacked Cherri, you sick bastard?” Hawk sunk his fist into Evan’s belly.
Gasping for air, he shook his head vigorously. “I didn’t know she was home,” he sputtered.
“Bullshit!” Hawk whacked him on the jaw, knocking him out. He gave Evan a hard kick on the side and went back to the mattress, picking up Braxton. The young boy stirred and his eyes fluttered open. Hawk kissed his cheek. “How’re you feeling?”
“Tired,” Braxton’s lids closed again.
“Don’t fall asleep on me. I’m gonna hand you over to Tiny. He’ll take you outside for some fresh air, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.” He yawned and rested his head against Hawk’s shoulder. He handed his son to Tiny. “Did Banger get a hold of Doc?”
“Yeah. He’s talking to him now. Doc’s on his way over here.”
“Good. If Braxton’s breathing gets slow or his heartbeat races, get me. I need to finish up in here.” Tiny lifted his chin and left the room.
“Please don’t hurt me. I swear I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I won’t tell anyone what happened. I just needed some extra money. I didn’t know they were your kids.” Garret stood against the wall, scratching his arms until they bled.
Hawk believed him: he was a junkie and Christiansen fed his habit. He felt a twinge of regret that they’d have to kill him, but they couldn’t leave any witnesses. Besides, junkies were the worst. Hawk had no doubt that Garret would try and blackmail the club once he needed money for his next fix. They couldn’t have a loose thread like Garret. Junkies can never be trusted.
Looking at Rock, he shook his head. “You know what to do,” he said in a low voice.
Rock quirked his lips and pulled Garret into a choke hold. The man struggled and gasped as Rock’s arm tightened. Hawk turned away and went over to Evan who had come to and was sitting on the couch, his head between his hands.
“Now I know why his wife’s so horny for me,” Throttle said.
Evan looked up at him. “So you’re the one she keeps talking about?”
“Shut the fuck up! How much Benadryl did you give the boys?” Hawk loomed over him, and a surge of pleasure zipped through him when he saw fear in the Crazed Grinch’s eyes.
“About four capfuls. I wasn’t going to hurt them. I intended to call Cara and Belle and have them pick the children up. It was a stupid joke. I apologize for it.”
“Yeah… it was a fuckin’ stupid thing to do. The problem is I don’t like jokes. What about you, Throttle? Are you a joke man?”
Throttle scrunched his face while he slowly shook his head. “Nah. I don’t go in for them. Seems like no one’s laughing here, ass wipe.”
“I didn’t hurt them. Ask them. I just had a stupid moment. I shouldn’t have done it.”
“I’d say giving them a shit load of Benadryl is hurting ’em. What do you think, Throttle?”
Nodding, he rocked back on his boots. “I’d have to agree with you, Hawk. I’m fuckin’ pissed about it so I can only imagine how you must feel.”
Evan’s eyes darted from Hawk’s face to Throttle’s and back to Hawk’s. “How can I make this up to you? I really like Cara and Belle. I can’t believe I did something so stupid.”
“Stop saying my wife’s name or I’m gonna punch you in the throat to shut you the fuck up.” Anger roared through him.
“Okay, okay.” Evan tried to stand, but Throttle shoved him back.
“Doc’s here.” Tiny’s voice broke through Hawk’s fury.
“I’ll be right back.” As he walked out of the room, he saw Garret’s body in a heap on the floor and Rock bending over it.
The frosty wind made Hawk’s eyes water and he blinked several times as he walked over to Doc’s car. Banger sat in the front seat and Doc was in the back.
“How the hell are they?” Hawk asked as he slid inside the Land Rover.
“Do you know how much cold medicine they took?” Doc asked.
“The fucker said four of those cups that come with the medicine.”
“That’s a little over one tablespoon. It’s double the dose.”
“Fuck!” Banger yelled as he pounded the dashboard.
“It sounds worse than it is. If they were younger or if they weighed less, it could be a real problem, but they’ll be fine. They’re going to sleep for about ten hours or so. Any adverse reaction to the medication would’ve occurred by now. When they wake up tomorrow morning, they’ll be very dehydrated, so give them water. Keep them hydrated for sure. If they start acting confused, complain of stomach pain, can’t go to the bathroom, or just stay groggy, call me. I don’t think that’ll happen, but just letting you know what’s normal and what’s not.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Hawk said, and Banger nodded. “I got some stuff to do. Take Banger and the kids back to Pinewood.” He turned to Banger. “Call Cara for me and let her know Braxton’s good. I’m sure she’s going through hell. Tell her I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Will do. You taking care of it?”
“Yeah. I’m already halfway finished.” Hawk slid out of the vehicle, went to the back and kissed Braxton’s cheek, clasped his arm on Doc’s shoulder, and walked back into the house. He waited until Doc drove off then he went back into the room.
“How’re the children?” Evan asked.