An Oath In Blood (Book #3)

Chapter 13: Cockblocked

CORVINA HAWKE

Sweat dropped onto the mat as I gritted my teeth, holding the plank, making my core muscles burn. My head buzzed with pain, distracting me from my interaction with Warren. It had been over twelve hours since I saw him but I was still seething at his fucking audacity.

He blackmailed me. I mean not in the exact words, but it was implied when he said if I killed him, the cops would know who to look for. And they wouldn't look for the Grim Reaper anymore. They would look for Corvina Hawke.

The shrill ringtone of the five-minute timer broke through my thoughts and I lowered myself onto the floor, slow and controlled. I straightened, sitting on my ass, pulling my knees up. Wrapping my arms around them, I stared at the window across from me. Controlling my breathing and relaxing my core muscles, I attempted to calm down.

I was in Trish's home gym, needing time away from the penthouse where Lily was once again babysitting Seb. He hadn't been too happy about being looked after but hadn't put up much of a fight and promised me that he would be on his best behavior. I had threatened to ship him back to college if he took one step out of line so he had no other choice.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I looked over my shoulder to find Trish walking in, my burner in his hand. I cocked an eyebrow at him as he neared me and he pursed his lips. I didn't need him to tell him who was on the phone.

I took the device from his hand and brought it to my ear. "Hello," I said into the speaker, letting go of my knees.

"Hawke." The Big Guy's tone was dangerous, dripping with disappointment and warning and he hadn't said anything more than my name yet. "Warren Hale is still alive."

My jaw tightened, posture stiffening. I wanted to scream at him, ask him if he thought I didn't know that Warren Hale was still alive. But all that came out when I opened my mouth was, "I am sorry."

Trish watched me with an unreadable expression etched into his face, his arms crossed over his chest. "Why is he still alive, Corvina?" The voice crooned, losing the edge. I swallowed. This was not a tone I had ever been subjected to before except for once.

"The plan backfired the night of the attack." I explained, keeping my answer vague. Silence ensued for all of two minutes before the Big Guy responded.

"I want him dead, Hawke. And if you can't do the job, I will make sure someone does it for you. And you know what happens to the Reapers who fail to claim the souls I ask for." He threatened.

"I do." I croaked out. "Warren will be dead." I added, hesitating on the last word. The line went dead and I dropped the phone onto the mat, bringing a hand to my forehead. "Why the fuck did I let him go that night?!" I spat out as I got to my feet.

"Hawke, you didn't kill him because he is someone who cared for you and-" Trish began but I shot him a glare, shutting him up.

"Don't finish that sentence, Trish." I warned him. He took my words as a challenge because he stepped toward me, a smirk lighting up his face. I clenched my palms into fists as his smirk grew and he said exactly what I didn't want him to say.

"It is hard for you to hurt him because you remember the small, silly crush that twelve-year-old girl had on Warren Hale, even if just for half an hour." I threw the punch the moment the last word left his lips.

Only years of training had Trish stepping back and I missed. He eyed me smugly as the blood in my veins seared through them. I was sure if someone was to cut me open, there would be flames licking at my entire being.

"I can kill him. I will kill him." I breathed out, feeling like a bull and Trish was the one holding a red cloth in his hand, taunting me, provoking me.