Hawk Brothers Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  “Whose idea was it to get married at dawn, anyway?” Callum asked.

  Creed chuckled and shrugged. “Kiera thought it would be so romantic. Anything’s romantic with her, so I don’t really care. As long as I get married and we can ditch all of you quick.”

  “Why didn’t you just elope?”

  “I tried. Believe me, I tried.”

  Callum glanced at Lexi, who was subdued. The time in the jail cell must have shaken her. “Any chance you’d elope, love?”

  She bit at her lip. “You’ve got to talk me into marrying you first.”

  Creed laughed out loud at that. “He’s a mess, isn’t he? Keep playing hard to get, Lexi. Maybe someday he’ll unglue the phone from his ear and give you the attention you deserve.”

  “A girl can hope.”

  Sutton came back with Lexi’s packages, informing them the bike would be returned to the rental shop. The man was a magician or something. Callum was stinging from Creed’s last comment and Lexi’s response. Hadn’t he proven anything the past two days?

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Callum and Lexi only lasted half an hour in the hammocks. They weren’t comfortable to lie in for an extended period of time, and the two of them were exhausted. He gave her a sweet kiss at her bedroom door, and Lexi fell asleep dreaming of more time spent with Callum.

  Things were so blurry between them. Were they fake engaged? Were they real engaged? He’d told her he loved her in that disgusting prison cell, and she’d felt it down to her toes. He’d bought her this gorgeous ring and teased about eloping, but he hadn’t truly asked her to marry him. As magical as the past couple of days with him had been, she was still apprehensive that this break from his work would never last once they were done with vacation and the holidays and back in the real world.

  She awoke when it was still black as night outside. She didn’t dare run on the beach and wanted to be ready for the seven a.m. wedding, so she did a half an hour of yoga before taking a long shower, doing her hair, and slipping into her beautiful dress. She loved that Callum had stopped outside the prison last night and asked for her packages. He was considerate of her every need.

  She walked out into the main room as the sky started to lighten. The clock said six-thirty. Callum’s door swung open and he strode out. Lexi’s mouth went dry, and her hands got clammy. He looked incredible in a navy-blue tux with a red floral tie.

  He stopped in his tracks and his jaw dropped. Then he grinned and rushed across the space separating them. He skidded to a halt right in front of her. “I went to kiss you so badly right now, but I don’t want to mess up perfection.”

  Lexi grinned. “I can restore perfection easily.”

  He laughed and bent down, wrapping her up tight and slowly, tenderly tasting her lips. The kiss grew in passion until her head was swimming. Callum’s arms were the only thing keeping her from falling over. His hands traveled over her back and he entangled them in her hair. Gently, he tilted her head and deepened the kiss. Lexi may or may not have moaned, pleasure rushing through her, but their connection was so much more than physical desire; she was falling in love with him, falling just like he’d so sweetly asked her to that first night here.

  He released her lips and rested his forehead against hers. “You’re beautiful, love.”

  “So are you. I about had a heart palpitation when I saw you in that tux.”

  He grinned and released her, taking her hand. “I guess we’d better get down to this ‘sunrise wedding ceremony.’ My family is so weird.”

  “Your family’s great. You’re lucky to have them.”

  “That’s true too.”

  They walked to the door together and he held it open for her. As they waited for the elevator, his phone rang. Callum pulled in a breath and muttered, “I thought I turned it off.” He pulled it out of his pocket and turned the ringer off. He studied the screen for a second, then put it away.

  They stepped into the elevator, and Lexi had a sinking feeling in her gut. “Who’s calling you this early on Christmas Eve?”

  He shrugged. “It’s Shirlene.”

  The elevator descended quickly and he escorted her out into the pre-dawn light. The air tingled with promise and newness. Lexi thought Kiera’s idea of a sunrise wedding was brilliant.

  “Do you need to check in with Shirlene?” She hated to remind him, but she wanted to be supportive of him also.

  He squeezed her hand and they walked past the myriad of pools toward the beach. “Not right now.”

  Lexi was impressed. She squeezed his hand back and felt her stomach settle and her shoulders lower. Callum was putting her and his family first. Maybe things could work out with them.

  A small crowd was milling around on the beach while some of the guests had already taken their seats. Caroline spotted them and hurried over, her heels sinking in the sand. Lexi was having a similar problem, but Callum supported her with each step.

  Caroline hugged each of them, exclaiming, “Don’t you two just look gorgeous together? Okay, my boy, you go stand up front.” She pushed at Callum and then grabbed Lexi’s left hand. “You come sit with us.” She turned Lexi’s hand over and her eyes widened. “I like this.”

  Callum chuckled. He bent and kissed his mom’s cheek and then gave Lexi a lingering kiss on the mouth. “I’ll see you soon, love.”

  Lexi stared at his perfect face and murmured, “I love you, Callum Hawk.”

  He swallowed and blinked, his dark eyes sparkling. “I love you back, Alexia Hall.”

  Callum was directed up front by some wedding coordinator, and Lexi was tugged with Caroline toward the front row. She sat between Caroline and Cambree with Tom on Caroline’s other side and Britney and Avalyn Shaman to Cambree’s left.

  “Avalyn Shaman,” Lexi whispered to Cambree.

  “You can meet her after. Ava is awesome.”

  The crowd settled into their seats and all the Hawk brothers lined up in the front of a gauzy backdrop littered with gorgeous tropical flowers. They were an inspiring sight, those men. So exquisitely handsome in their matching deep blue tuxes. Especially the one staring right at Lexi. She made a discreet heart shape with her hands and held it to her chest. Callum grinned.

  “You all are so cute and cheesy,” Cambree whispered.

  Lexi nodded, taking Cambree’s words as a supreme compliment.

  The wedding march played and the crowd rose, everyone craning their necks. Lexi couldn’t see Kiera yet, so she concentrated on Callum’s warm smile. Then she glanced at Creed, who had a few tears sliding down his face. Would Callum cry at their wedding? Were they truly going to get married? It was all so rushed and beautiful.

  She heard gasps and murmurs of appreciation and turned to see Kiera on her tall father’s arm. He looked like an African prince, down to an elaborate outfit that must signify something from his home country and position. Kiera was breathtaking. The creamy lace dress and veil were simple yet exquisite, setting off her dark coloring to perfection. She reached Creed’s side, and he took her hands in his and beamed at her.

  The preacher seemed as unconventional as the setting and the time. He looked like a military chaplain with a life-is-good smile. At one point he teased Creed and Creed told him, “Shut up and just get me married, Cannon.”

  Everybody laughed at that. The ceremony was beautiful as were the vows Creed and Kiera had written for each other. They were pronounced man and wife just as the sun rose over the resort behind them. As they kissed, the sun’s rays shimmered around them. Lexi didn’t even try to hide that she was crying.

  The crowd stood and cheered as Creed and Kiera lifted their clasped hands in celebration, then made their way through the crowd and up to a large patio where tables and chairs were set up along with a breakfast spread. Creed and Kiera started greeting people. Lexi watched them wistfully.

  Caroline hugged her. “Soon it will be you and Callum’s turn.”

  “I wish.”

  Caroline eyed her strangely, but Tom
was taking her arm and leading her away.

  Arms came around Lexi’s waist, and she leaned back into Callum’s strength. “Beautiful ceremony,” she murmured.

  He leaned down and said in her ear, “Ours will be more beautiful.”

  Lexi sighed with contentment and love. Then she felt his phone buzz against her back. She turned around and stared up at him. “Has your phone been going off the whole ceremony?”

  He smiled grimly and took her hand. “It’s fine. Are you hungry, love?”

  She could tell it wasn’t fine and wondered what the emergency was this time. Last time it had taken him away from her and his family for hours. She loved him for refusing to answer it, but couldn’t help but wonder what could be so important this early on Christmas Eve. “Maybe someone died and you need to answer it,” she said.

  “The people I need to focus on are right here,” he told her with a depth to his gaze that reassured her. They followed the crowd up to congratulate the newlyweds.

  A lady pushed through the crowd of people, asking, “Callum Hawk? Do you know where I can find Callum Hawk?”

  Several people pointed their way. Lexi’s stomach dropped and the feeling she’d had this morning when his phone had gone off came back a hundredfold.

  Callum glanced down at Lexi before his jaw tightened and he raised his hand. “I’m Callum.”

  The lady rushed up to them and pressed a note into his hand. “I’m sorry, sir. She said it was urgent.”

  “It’s okay. Gracias.” Callum held on to the note, not glancing at it. Some of the crowd was staring at them, but most were focused on waiting to greet Creed and Kiera or moving on to fill their plates with food. Callum looked down at Lexi. “I don’t want to read it. I don’t want to be pulled from you.”

  What was she supposed to say to that? Beg him to burn the note and focus on her? That would be silly. She couldn’t be his whole world. It should be enough that he wanted to focus on her. “It must be important. You should look at it.”

  He nodded and uncrumpled his palm, reading quickly, his face giving nothing away. He tugged her away from the crowd toward an alcove. “I need to call Shirlene. Will you wait with me?”

  “Sure.”

  He held on to her hand as he barely said hello before Shirlene started talking a mile a minute. Lexi couldn’t hear the conversation, but the concerned look on Callum’s face and the way his grip tightened around her hand told her it was bad. Finally he said, “Thank you,” and hung up. He stared out at the glistening ocean for a few seconds.

  “Bad news?” Lexi ventured.

  Callum glanced down at her. “Actually, it’s really good news.” He gave her a tight smile. “Just really horrible timing.”

  “What’s going on?” Lexi was terrified to know, but she couldn’t deal with it, couldn’t help him, if she didn’t know what was going on.

  Callum focused back on the ocean as if he couldn’t look at her right now. “I’ve been working on a deal for several years now. Acquiring a large hotel chain that’s based out of Los Angeles.”

  “How many hotels?”

  “Two hundred and sixty-eight.”

  She whistled. “That’s a lot.”

  “It’s a prestigious chain. I’d be thrilled to acquire it.” He paused and pushed a hand through his hair. He focused on the wedding party and his jaw tightened. He shook his head and continued talking: “The wife has always wanted to sell; the husband has refused every offer. The husband passed away last night.”

  Lexi drew in a sharp breath.

  Callum finally looked back at her. “That’s why Shirlene has been trying to get a hold of me. The wife will sign the papers for our latest offer before noon today, but it has to be signed by me personally.”

  “And if you don’t go?” She held her breath, terrified of his answer.

  Callum sighed and disheveled his hair again. “She has another offer that she’ll sign. She wants it done before Christmas so she can personally hand each of her grandchildren a note promising them a million dollars. She claims the other offer is better than mine, but …” He shook his head. “She likes me better.”

  Lexi bit at her lip and tried to be brave. This was a big deal. This was what Callum did. If she held him back, he might resent her forever. “How long will you be gone?”

  Callum glanced sharply at her. “You’re okay with me going?”

  “I hate that you have to leave Creed and Kiera’s wedding party, but I’m not going to be the one to hold you back.” She could hardly hold his gaze as inside she prayed that he’d choose differently, that he’d choose her and his family and this special day for Creed and Kiera.

  Callum gave her a tight squeeze and a quick kiss. “You’re amazing, Alexia Hall. I’ll fly right there and be back quick. It’s only a four-hour flight in my jet and I can sign the papers in minutes. Do you want to come with me?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll be fine here.”

  He nodded. “You will. That’s one of the many things I love about you—you don’t need me holding your hand all the time.”

  She forced a smile at him. She wanted him holding her hand, at least sometimes. “One of the things, eh?”

  He kissed her again. “One of the many. I need to go tell my mom and Creed. I’ll be back soon. I love you.”

  Lexi couldn’t say it back. Everything inside felt empty. Callum loved her, but just like she’d feared, the deal was always more important than his people—her and his family. She glanced down at her sparkly diamond, then clenched her hand and turned it over. It was a fake engagement anyway. Why was she feeling so low and devastated?

  Callum hugged his mom and shook his dad’s hand. Neither of them looked thrilled, but they appeared understanding. Next he gave hugs to Creed and Kiera. She didn’t know if he even told them he was leaving as they just hugged and laughed for a little bit; then Creed and Kiera moved on to the next guest in line, and Callum hurried over to Emmett and Cambree and finally Bridger. He pointed her way, and Bridger nodded as they both stared at her for a second. Callum lifted his hands into a heart and put it to his chest. Lexi pasted on a smile but didn’t return the gesture.

  Then Callum was hurrying away from the wedding breakfast. It felt like all the dreams that she’d envisioned this week were walking away with him. Her throat felt raw. She blinked quickly, trying to hide her weakness. She didn’t want someone from his family to realize that she didn’t agree with him leaving, that it was tearing her apart.

  Callum disappeared, and she glanced quickly at his family. They were all busy talking to each other or guests, except Bridger. He was staring intently at something by Lexi’s shoulder.

  Lexi turned and looked over at the exotic-looking woman standing next to her. Her black dress fit her trim body perfectly, and her lovely olive skin and Middle Eastern flair was so perfect. She was classy and exquisitely beautiful.

  “Avalyn Shaman,” Lexi whispered.

  “Hello,” Avalyn said.

  “I’m a huge fan.”

  “Thank you.” She put out a hand. “Callum’s fiancée?”

  “Yes. I’m Alexia Hall. Please, call me Lexi.”

  “I’d say you could call me the Hawk brothers’ nickname, but it’s so silly.” She rolled her eyes and shook out her mane of black hair. “They all call me Ava Baby.” She gave a tinkling laugh. “Please call me Ava.”

  “Okay.”

  Lexi felt so awkward standing unaccompanied next to this renowned philanthropist, author, and speaker. The woman had created a worldwide charity, for heaven’s sake. It hit her square in the chest. She wasn’t accomplished enough to be a Hawk fiancée or even in their circle. Caroline was a polished social enigma, the perfect picture of a billionaire’s wife. Kiera was a famous dancer. Cambree was an elite athlete. Who was Lexi? A dairy farmer’s stupid daughter who had overstepped her bounds falling in love with a Hawk. Obviously Callum’s work was much more important than her. Tears filled her eyes. She blinked and willed them away.


  “Is everything all right? Where’s Callum?”

  “He … had to fly to LA quick for a work deal.”

  “Oh.” Avalyn’s eyes swept over her with compassion and understanding. “Callum’s a good man, but work has always been his everything.”

  “You know him well.” The compassion was another dagger to her heart. She’d fallen in love with a man who could never put her first, and everybody could see it.

  Avalyn’s dark eyes grew even darker. “I know all the Hawk brothers too well. Especially Bridger.” As she said it, she glared over at where Britney was draped over Bridger’s shoulder. Bridger was seated at a table and Britney was wrapped around him from behind like a cloak.

  Bridger glanced their way and he saw Avalyn’s gaze on him. He grinned at her, this roguish, devil-may-care kind of grin.

  “Ugh, that man.” Avalyn shook herself and turned to Lexi. “I’m sorry. We were talking about you and Callum.”

  “It’s fine. I don’t need to be some pity party.”

  Avalyn nodded her understanding. “Loving a Hawk brother sometimes seems like the most asinine move in the world.”

  “Do you …?” Lexi was so confused. Did Avalyn love Bridger? Or maybe she loved Emmett, who Lexi had seen her with in many pictures at different social events and charity auctions before he’d met Cambree.

  “No,” Avalyn said sharply. “I’m just saying it would be tough.”

  “It is.”

  Avalyn looked her over perceptively. “Are you waiting for him to return from his deal?”

  Lexi started to nod, but then it hit her. Why should she? She had fallen in love with Callum’s family, but she didn’t want to be the add-on, hanging around waiting for him like she had that first afternoon and evening here. Her mom had just been through a terrifying surgery. Her sister was home for Christmas. Maybe she’d catch a taxi to the airport and jump on the first flight to America. She could be home in Montana by Christmas morning. It would be a splurge, but what did all that money mean if it couldn’t get her home for Christmas?

  “My mom’s recovering from a kidney transplant. I’m going to go home and be with my family for Christmas.” As she said the words, she felt stronger and better than she had since Callum left her side a few minutes ago.