In Hawke's Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page A

why you’ve had my son arrested,” Melanie demanded.
    Stephanie swiped her finger over the screen to disconnect and put her phone on silent. Hawke’s arms tightened around her. “I assume that shrill voice was that of your mother-in-law?”
    “ Ex mother-in-law,” she said. “I don’t lay claim to that woman. She didn’t ask me if Meechi is okay. She just wanted to know about Michael, but since she knows he’s in jail, I assume he called her with his one phone call.”
    Hawke made a noise of agreement. “Apparently, the one time he doesn’t consult her on what he should do, he gets into more trouble than he bargained for. I don’t know how she would have advised him though. He admitted their corporation is in trouble, and they need funds fast. He decided to get the money any way he could rather than make sound business choices and ended up owing a lot more money to the wrong people.”
    A shudder passed over Stephanie, and her emotions threatened to take control again. With her mind full of decisions on what to do, she almost didn’t hear the rest of what Hawke had to say. He jostled her a little and then pulled her tight to his chest. She couldn’t believe the comfort she derived just having him hold her. He kept her from leaping over the edge.
    “And now they want Meechi?” She clenched her hands into fists.
    “He foolishly bragged that he would soon come into money from his heiress niece. They did a little digging and found out what she’s worth. When they started pressuring him to get the money, he began to worry they’d snatch her, so he did it himself.” Hawke shook his head. “He thought he was protecting Meechi, but he went about it the wrong way.”
    “That doesn’t make him a good guy.”
    “Shh,” he soothed her. “I agree. That’s why I’m going to talk to some friends and see what I can find out. I will locate the people he owes and take them down.”
    Stephanie kissed him on impulse and rested her forehead on his chin. “You’re so amazing. I appreciate all your help, but I’m going to take care of Meechi.” She sighed. “I’m going to quit my job and look after her full time. I might even move out of New York.”
    “Stephanie…”
    She slipped off his lap and stood up. “Don’t, Hawke. I know you think I’m weak, and all I get is Melanie nagging me saying I can’t take care of Meechi with my eyes the way they are. Now, she might even use this situation against me to try to get custody of her. I can’t let that happen.” She burst out crying and spun on her heel to run out of the room, but he caught her and forced her gently into his arms.
    “I don’t think you’re weak. In fact, I know you aren’t. If you fear Meechi’s grandmother will take her away, don’t. There’s no way a court of law will give custody to a woman who’s son kidnapped her.”
    “You don’t know the hell I went through with them. Back when my husband died, they berated me so much, I actually changed back to my maiden name to break my ties, which was ridiculous since I still had Meechi. I was so emotionally done, I questioned every day whether I was strong enough to keep her. Now I won’t give her up. I will take care of her if it kills me, so if we have to leave, so be it. I can homeschool her. We can live off her allowance until I can get another job.”
    “Stephanie.”
    “What?” She frowned up at him.
    “I know a place where she can never be hurt, and the people who live there would protect her with their lives— all of them. While you two are there, I can focus on finding the men who threaten you. Will you consider my solution? I promise I’m not offering because I don’t think you can care for Meechi. I just can’t bear to see you hurt.”
    She gasped at his tender words and dipped her chin. “I can’t imagine a whole community of people to look out for us.”
    “They are…unusual. I wouldn’t send you if the situation wasn’t dire.”
    “You’re not coming?”
    He