It took all of Hawk’s strength not to kill him right then and there. “I can’t believe you fuckin’ work for a charity for kids and you hate them. You’re a goddamn psycho.”
Evan smiled weakly. “It is a dichotomy, isn’t it? What can I say? My wife likes a nice life, and the pay is quite good. Anyway, it was a clever cover. No one will believe that I’m the Crazed Grinch. The only thing enjoyable about this whole damn thing will be my wife’s embarrassment. Brittany won’t be able to hold her head up in town.” He chuckled softly.
“Do you believe this motherfucker?” Throttle asked Hawk.
Hawk shook his head. “Too bad you won’t be able to see her shame. I’m tired of this shit.” He grabbed Evan by the collar and dragged him up.
“You need us to help?” Tiny asked. Tigger came over to them.
“Yeah. Don’t make it messy,” Hawk said.
Evan shook his head. “Please. Don’t. I’m sorry. I know it was a huge mistake. I didn’t hurt the children. I don’t want—”
“Take him out of here before I slit his fuckin’ throat,” Hawk gritted. With Blade and Jigger following, Tiny and Rock dragged a sobbing Evan out of the room.
For the next hour, Throttle and Hawk smoked pot and talked while they waited for the brothers to return. He kept tabs on Braxton and Cara via texts to Banger. Belle and he were staying with Cara until Hawk returned home. Evan’s cries bled into the night unheard by anyone but the brothers. And then it was quiet—still as a graveyard at midnight.
Hawk rose to his feet. “Time to head out.” He made sure the front door was locked then he and Throttle walked through the kitchen and out the back door into the inky blackness. As he walked to the front of the house, his boots slipped on the icy ground beneath them. The wintry wind’s harsh bite tore through him making the hair on his arms raise. As the brothers made their way to the SUV parked down the road, puffs of vapor rose above them, mingling with the icy air.
“Fuck it’s cold,” Hawk muttered.
“Were you able to get rid of the two assholes with all this fuckin’ snow and ice?” Throttle asked.
“Everything’s good,” Rock said as he swung up into the SUV.
Hawk switched on the ignition and turned the heater to full blast. Soon they were back on the old highway. Hawk would drop off Tiny, Blade, and Jigger at the clubhouse, and then drop Rock and Throttle at their houses before he went to his home.
It was another hour until he pulled into the garage. The door flew open and Cara ran out, throwing herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his jacket, her body trembling like a flame blown by the wind.
“Shhh, baby. Don’t cry. Everything’s okay.” He pressed her close and guided her into the house where warmth blanketed them.
“I was so scared. I’m glad you’re safe,” she said between quivering gasps.
As she struggled to catch her breath, he tilted her head back and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingers before he brushed his lips over hers.
“Oh, Hawk,” her voice hitched and she clung to him tighter.
“How’s Braxton?”
“He’s still sleeping but Belle and Banger said that’s normal. Is it?”
“Yeah. Is he breathing okay?” She nodded. He gripped her around the shoulders. “Let’s tell Belle and Banger they can take Harley and go home.”
“Why would anyone do something like this to our sweet boy? Did he abuse Braxton?” The tears slipped down her face again.
“No. He just drugged him and Harley. He said it was a joke.”
“What a sicko. Did you call the police?”
Hawk led her into the family room where Belle and Banger sat with Harley curled in their lap. “How’s the little guy?”
“He’s doing okay,” Banger answered, his eyes fixed on Hawk.
“Good.” Hawk lifted his chin and the president’s face relaxed. Sprawled on the loveseat was Braxton with a fleece blanket tucked around him. He went over and ran his fingers over his cheek.
“Did you find out who did this?” Belle asked as she threaded her fingers through Harley’s hair.
Taking Cara by the hand, he led her over to the couch and eased her down. “You’ll need to sit for this one.” Clearing his throat, he crossed his arms. “The fucker who endangered our boys is Evan Christiansen.”
Belle and Cara looked at each other, then at Hawk. As the reality of his statement sunk in, Cara’s mouth dropped and she quickly covered it with her hand while Belle stared at Hawk incredulously.
“Isn’t he the guy you’ve been working with at Brighter Lives?” Banger asked. Belle nodded slightly, her gaze still on Hawk.
“I don’t believe it,” Cara whispered. “Evan? Why would he do something like that? I stupidly thought it was Dale since he was gone when the lights came back on. Lindi was freaked out about him not being there, and she had to finish giving the gifts out to the kids. I later learned that he was in the back room, drinking up a storm and making out with Evan’s wife, Brittany. But I never thought Evan would do something like this. He always seemed so nice. Can you believe this, Belle?”
“No, I can’t. Are you sure, Hawk?”
“Yeah. Throttle recognized him because his wife’s always calling Throttle to come over.”
“So Kimber was right. It was Evan’s wife who was making a play for Throttle,” Belle said.
“Your Mr. Fuck’s been busy this holiday season. Not only was he plotting to take Braxton and Harley and pretending he gave a shit about the Toy Drive, he was also breaking into people’s houses and smashing up their Christmas decorations. He’s the one who paid a visit to Cherri. Jax’s gonna be pissed he didn’t get a chance to confront him.”
“Evan’s the Crazed Grinch? What the hell? How did we not pick up he was a total lunatic?” Cara glanced at Belle who sat shaking her head with her fingers touching her parted lips. “What about Garret? Was he involved at all?”
“He was Evan’s stooge. You didn’t tell anyone about Braxton and Harley being kidnapped, did you?” Hawk looked at Cara and then Belle. Cara shook her head.
“No,” Belle whispered.
“Keep it that way.” Hawk went over to the couch and sat next to Cara.
“My head’s spinning. I can’t believe any of this. Why did Evan do all those things? Why did he ruin people’s homes like that?” Cara leaned her head on Hawk’s shoulder.
“Who the fuck knows? He’s a psycho,” he answered, squeezing her shoulders.
“But there must’ve been a reason,” Belle mumbled. “It’s just too crazy. And to take our sons. We spent a lot of time with him. I can’t believe he’d do this to us.”
“Those are the worst kind of fuckers,” Banger said. “They pretend to be your friend, take you into their confidence, and then do shit behind your back. You never suspect them because you think they’re your friend.” He ran his hand up and down her arm.
“Did he tell you why he took Braxton and Harley?” Cara asked.
“He said it was just a joke,” Hawk replied.
“A joke? How can taking two innocent boys away from their parents and drugging them be a joke? Belle and I were beside ourselves wondering if they were hurt or killed.” Her voice broke and Hawk tucked her head under his chin.