Page 23 of Hawk's Sapphire

“Not anymore.”Matteo says matter-of-factly.“You’ll eat three full meals a day with snacks in between if you desire.But you will be working out every day, as well as your training with me, which I can assure you will be…tiring.You’ll need the nutrition and I’m going to see to it that you’ll always have what you need while here.”

“Seriously.All I need is some chocolate, fruit, and the occasional pizza and I’m a happy girl.

I explain.“Oh, and caffeine!Don’t think to hide the caffeine.I don’t function without it and you don’t want to deal with my level of bitchiness when I don’t have it.”

Matteo quirks his brow, rubbing his hand along his jaw.“I can assure you, Miss Jenkins, it’s you who doesn’t want me to have to deal with your level of bitchiness as you put it.Not if you want tositwhile you work.”

I don’t miss the threat in his words.

Too bad Hawk can’t just spank my ass and then let all be forgiven.

Matteo’s eyes narrow in on me.“You know I won’t hurt you, Dolcezza.I will correct your behavior as per the agreement we made.It’s necessary for the places we will be going and the attention we will be attracting.They must believe you are my submissive partner in all things.”He leans forward, gripping my chin in his fingers, leveling me with those beautiful eyes.“You never have to fear me, Sadie.I will never push you beyond your limits or take advantage of the gift of your trust.This is not a relationship, but a partnership.I will teach you to be unbreakable and who knows?You may even learn things that you enjoy that you can later explore with someone else.But no matter what, you must listen and obey me at all times.It’s for your safety, Dolcezza.When this is all over, I will return you to your life with your family, unharmed.”

Does a broken heart count?

I can’t think about that now.I have a job to do.So long as I do what Matteo says, Vincenzo assured me he would keep the Kings from finding me and hauling my ass back home.

10

HAWK

When we arrive at the clubhouse, we’re pulling into a three-ring circus.

Three blacked out, unmarked, SUVs are parked near the front doors of the clubhouse.Two more are half blocking the gates with two armed men in suits standing beside them and there’s no prospect at their post.Parisi being here wouldn’t call for the guards being pulled.He’s not exactly afriendbut he’s not a threat either.Not so far, anyway.No, if I had to guess, these vehicles belong to law enforcement.We don’t waste any time getting the bikes parked and heading inside.

The scene inside has us both on edge.The hair on the back of my neck stands on end.

What the fuck happened now?

All my brothers and their families are here and on alert.Jayde is standing with Lisa, behind Mack and Blake.Lilah and Skyler are behind Eli and his men who are forming a wall of leather in front of them.Ethan is on the move, breaking past Cash and going straight to his pregnant wife.Cash doesn’t even crack a smile, just nods to Ethan.A show of his dedication to the safety of this family.

Violet is holding Carter close.Declan has taken a protective stance in front of them, with his arms crossed wearing a look that dares anyone to fucking try him.

Jake heads for Avery who’s standing with Liz, safely between Caleb and Gabe, with Mason and Trevor fanned out on either side of them while Austin and Colt stand by the bar.I don’t see Ghost or Gus anywhere, but I’m willing to bet they’re not too far away.

Whatever has happened, my brothers have decided these people are, they’re a definite threat.

No one is saying a word.The three club girls are all huddled near the kitchen.They don’t know the shit that goes on in church or anything about club business.They’re here to cook, clean, and service the brothers.Nothing more.

Six men in suits are all staggered about the common room, while Allyson is standing toe-to-toe with a tall brunette woman in a navy-blue power suit.Jameson has firmly planted himself behind Allyson with his arms crossed over his chest.Whoever this woman is, Jameson doesn’t trust her.Allyson must not either if she’s allowing Jameson to stand as her protector.

Jameson sent Allysin and their son, Jamie away after Jonah and Maggie were killed.He filed for divorce and left her to raise their boy on her own.Although, he did keep tabs on them and sent money every month, he kept his distance.He didn’t want the Devils to make the connection between them.He gave his family up, granting them a chance at a happy life.Allyson has kept her distance over the years and has refused to come back to town, or anywhere near the Kings.That is until Violet and Declan got thrown in jail.Apparently, Allyson worked with Violet’s dad.They were pretty close.She only came back to help us as a favor to him and his daughter.So, if she’s letting Jameson close to her now, she must feel like his protection is warranted.

I move to stand with Pres and the prospects, leaning in to ask Trevor, “What’s up?”tipping my head toward Allyson and the female agent.

“Feds just showed up out of nowhere demanding to speak to everyone and wanting access to the clubhouse.Allyson has been reading the bitch the riot act for coming here unannounced and without a valid search warrant.They say they only want to ask questions, but two of the men were found snooping around outside the barn by Austin and dragged inside before anyone mentioned a search warrant.Now this chick says she has grounds for assault charges and some other bullshit, and Allyson is shutting her down on the grounds the search warrant is only for one room in the clubhouse, so her men were trespassing or some shit.It’s actually been fun to watch.”

“And what do the Feds want?Have they said why they’re here?”There are a number of scenarios running through my head all at one of the shit that’s gone down over the last year that could be cause for their visit.George’s death.The dead foster parents’ bodies found in their burned home where Carter was once staying.A dead social service worker and Violet’s missing ex-husband who happens to now be adeadsheriff.It’s been a busy year for the club with all the secrets and shit coming out of the woodworks seemingly all at once.

All the original members fucking secrets coming to light have caused havoc is what happened.

Though we haven’t left any evidence of anything we’ve done, and I’m damn sure Parisi and his men left no trace either.I don’t see Vincenzo fucking over the club to save his own ass.Not when he has agreements to protect Skyler and Violet.The Feds being here could be for any number of reasons, but I trust Allyson to shut down their digging.

“You don’t have a warrant to search the premises, which your men were clearly attempting to do.Which means my clients were within their rights to protect their property and their families from an unidentified treat.”

“The cars have government plates, and we’re all dressed in suits.How many people do you know who have blacked out SUVs besides the club?”She says sarcastically, but we all know what she’s fishing for.Which means they’ve either seen Parisi coming here or linked him somehow to the club.Admitting to his connection to the club, we would only be setting ourselves up for more investigations.

“You don’t own the market on blacked out SUVs, nor are you ignorant to the law.You still have to identify yourself as an officer of the law especially if you intend to enforce a warrant.Which you and your men neglected to do.Not to mention, this warrant states that you may search thebedroom of the victimand nothing more.”Allyson states loud enough for the entire room to hear.

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