Hideaway At Hawk's Landing

But if she did and DiSanti found out, they might hurt Izzy. Her stomach knotted. What if they’d already taken her somewhere?

Panic clawed at her insides. The door opened again, and the agent appeared, but this time another man stood beside him. He was also tall, broad shouldered, muscular, with thick dark hair. They had the same dark brows.

“Dr. Manchester, this is Brayden Hawk. He’s an attorney who my wife hired to represent you.”

Mila stared at them in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“My wife is Charlotte Reacher,” Agent Hawk said. “She’s outside and insists you have counsel.”

“Charlotte—is your wife?”

“Yes. We met when she was shot by DiSanti’s men.”

Oh God, that was right. She’d seen the news story. No wonder this man was out to get DiSanti. It was personal.

But he was allowing her an attorney...

Or was it a trap?

It struck her then—the attorney’s last name was Hawk just as the agent’s was. Were they related?

She scrutinized the men’s features. Yes, they had to be brothers.

Agent Hawk gave his brother a dark look, then slipped from the room. Mila’s head was spinning.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “Dr. Manchester, I know you’ve been through hell today. I’d like to hear your side of the story.”

Mila’s lungs squeezed for air. Was he really here to help her?

Could she trust him with the truth, or would telling him about her daughter being held hostage put Izzy in more danger?

Chapter Four (#u402f873b-7859-5b97-9746-6a8a7e5d8571)

Brayden studied Mila as Lucas left the interrogation room. Some clients were desperate enough to pour out their story immediately.

Others took finessing. Especially if they were afraid.

And this woman was frightened of something...

Hoping to put her ease, he claimed the chair across from her and adopted a soothing voice. “Dr. Manchester, I agreed to talk to you because Charlotte is concerned about you.” He softened his voice. “She believes in you, and Lucas and I both believe in Charlotte.”

The woman’s face twisted with emotions.

“Anything you tell me is confidential. But if I’m going to represent you, you need to explain your side of the story.”

She rubbed her forehead, then looked down at her hands on the table.

“Please talk to me,” Brayden said quietly.

Dr. Manchester sighed warily. “I already told you that I don’t know where they were taking DiSanti.”

Brayden let the silence stretch for a moment. “They didn’t mention a city or town?”

She shook her head no. “I’m sorry. I...don’t know what else to tell you.”

“Stop giving me the runaround,” Brayden said, his voice firmer. “Did you know who DiSanti was when you performed plastic surgery on him?”

Fear flashed in her eyes.

“You did,” he said, reading her reaction. “But you helped him anyway.”

She averted her gaze, then massaged her forehead again with a shaky hand.

“We know DiSanti has amassed a fortune,” he continued. “Is that the reason you did it? For the money?”

Her troubled gaze jerked to his, but she bit her lip and didn’t answer.

“Charlotte insists you do good work, that you donate your time and expertise to help people, especially children, in trouble.” He raised a brow. “That description doesn’t fit with you giving someone like DiSanti a new identity.”

Dr. Manchester pressed a fist to her mouth and breathed heavily.

“Help me out here, Doc. I’m trying to understand.”

“No one can understand,” Dr. Manchester said, a warble to her voice.

“I might if you talk to me.” Dammit, he wanted to believe her. Wanted her to be the person Charlotte described.

“Did he donate money to the clinic in exchange for a new face?”

She shook her head, misery darkening her eyes.

Brayden’s patience was wearing thin. “Did you owe him for some reason?”

She twisted her hands together.

“Come on, Dr. Manchester, I can’t help you if you don’t confide in me.” He racked his brain for answers, then it hit him. “You’re afraid. Did DiSanti and his people threaten you?”

* * *

MILA WANTED TO spill the entire story and assure him that she despised DiSanti and his men, that she’d never do anything to help them. That the entire time she’d been operating on him she’d felt sick to her stomach.

Most of all, she wanted to beg Brayden Hawk to check on her daughter.

But what if DiSanti’s men were watching?

According to the news, the police suspected DiSanti had a local contact in Tumbleweed. Who knew how many he had in Austin?

Or who they were. He might have contacts right here in the FBI or at the local police department.