Page 57 of Heat Force
“Hawk,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Did you mean what you said back at the clinic? When you found me?”
He gave an adamant nod. “Every word.”
Her heart thudded. He still loved her, and she loved him so much it hurt. Except she still couldn’t be with him. “I have to go back, you know,” she whispered. “To Usala. It’ll be a mess. The animals will be terrified, displaced. They’ll need treatment, rehabilitation and care. They need me.”
“I know,” he said softly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to leave.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re not?”
“No.” A small smile played on his lips. “Because I’ve realized something important, Lexi. If I want to be with you—and God knows I do—then it’s up to me to fit into your life, not the other way around.”
Her heart stuttered, and she stared at him in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I’ve resigned as CEO of my company.”
Her jaw dropped. “You… you resigned?”
“Well, technically, I’m still the non-executive chairman,” he admitted with a smirk. “But I’ve stepped back from running things day to day. I’ve decided to start something new—a company based in Uganda.”
“Uganda?” she repeated, trying to wrap her head around his words. Had he lost his mind completely. “Why Uganda?”
“Robert’s relocating the sanctuary there,” Hawk explained. “I spoke to him this morning. It’s safer, the government is more stable, and the gorillas will have better protection. He’s going to need your help with rehoming them.”
She gasped. “What about the staff, the carers, their families?”
“We’re going to offer them relocation packages. Unfortunately, we can’t help everyone, but we’ll do what we can.”
“That’s… that’s…” She gazed at him, at a loss for words. How much more amazing could one guy be? If she hadn’t been completely head of heels in love with him before, she sure was now.
“There’s more,” he said, his smile lingering.
“I’m not sure I can take much more.”
He grinned. “I’m going to set up a company focused on infrastructure—pipelines, water projects, things that make a real difference for communities.”
Tears blurred her vision, and she blinked to clear them. “You’re serious?”
He nodded. “Dead serious. And it’s not just for the work, Lexi. I’m doing it because I love you. Because I want to build a life with you. If you’ll have me.”
Her tears spilled over, and she let out a laugh that was equal parts joy and disbelief. “Oh, Hawk. Of course, I’ll have you. I love you too.”
He leaned over and kissed her. Unlike their last night together, this kiss was tender and lingering, and full of promise for the future.
When they finally pulled apart, Lexi hesitated, a new thought forming. “Hawk, there’s something else I’ve been thinking about.”
“Name it,” he said, his tone steady.
“It’s about Moyo.” She glanced at her hands. “He doesn’t have anyone. His parents are gone, and he’s been through so much. I was thinking… what if I adopted him?”
Hawk took both her hands in his. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“Really?” she asked, gazing up at him. It was a lot to take on. An orphaned soon-to-be teenage boy. One who’d seen so much trauma in his young life. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Mind?” Hawk’s eyes shone with pride. “I’d love that. He’s an amazing kid, and I’m incredibly fond of him. If you want to be his guardian, then I’ll be right there with you. He deserves a family, and I can’t think of anyone better to give him that than us.”
Lexi’s heart swelled, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly. “Thank you, Hawk. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“It’s what families do,” he murmured against her hair. “And we’re going to be one hell of a family.”