Page 61 of Hawk's Sapphire

“To find your sister, of course.At Miss Jenkins’s own request, I might add.”The air leaves my lungs, and my knees begin to buckle slightly.

“What did you say?”

“Apparently, you don’t know your own woman or the lengths she’ll go to for your club.”He glares down his nose at me.“It was at Miss Jenkins’s own request that she be a part of this operation.And to be clear, I was unaware she was your woman.Perhaps you should’ve mentioned that when I asked you to accompany Agent Galina to the gala.Miss Jenkins certainly didn’t mention you being her man when she agreed to come live with Matteo.”Vincenzo continues.“As a matter of fact, wasn’t it you who called Miss Jenkins a traitor and sent her away?Seems your story is contradictive, Mr.Hawkins.”

“How the fuck do you know what I said to her?Did Sadie tell you what happened?”

Vincenzo smirks.“I know many things.Go take a piss.Perhaps it will help lessen your attitude and we can have a constructive conversation.”He says, effectively dismissing me.Matteo releases his hold, and I leave to the bathroom and take care of business.

Once finished, I wash my hands and face and lean on the vanity, staring at the asshole in the mirror contemplating.

Why would she do this?Go through all of this to find Shea?Why not tell the club and let them find her?Why would Sadie put herself in danger, running the risk of never coming back, for a girl she doesn’t even know?

I need answers from Vincenzo.I need to call Pres and get him up to speed, and then I need to find my Sapphire and find out what the hell she was thinking and get us both the hell out of here.

When I exit the bathroom, both Matteo and Vincenzo are gone.I hear their voices down the hall and that of a female.I grab my burner phone from the table, shocked to see they left it for me, and shoot off a quick text to Pres.I’m not sure who’s monitoring us, if anyone, but I send him a vague message I know he’ll understand.

Me: Hey, Pop.I’m doing good.I’m going to stay over at Vinnie’s house tonight.I’ll check in with you as soon as I can.I found Sapphire too.I’ll bring her back home with me as soon as I’m done here.

His response is immediate.

P: Glad to hear you’re all right.Don’t stay out too long.We have a house of our own to clean.Tell our girl, we miss her too.And tell Vinnie he owes me an explanation and a favor for this one.

I chuckle at the last part.If Vincenzo owes anyone, it’s me.After having his men shoot me, drug me, and drag my ass back here without any warning or explanationandhe’s been hiding my woman.He owes me way more than a fucking explanation, and I plan to collect what’s due.

25

SADIE

The clanking sound of the dishes Marta is carrying as she comes into the room wakes me from a restless sleep.My stomach turns at the thought of eating anything, and the smell of toast and eggs isn’t helping the situation.

“Marta?”I’m not sure she can hear my muffled words with my head under the pillow, but I’m not ready to face the sunlight creeping into the room.

“Yes, sweet girl.”

“I appreciate the breakfast in bed, but I don’t think I can eat it right now.”I whine.My head is still a little foggy, but it’s mostly my stomach that’s protesting this morning.

“You will eat.Mr.Parisi demands it.He says you need your strength and to get dressed.They’re all waiting to talk to you.”

“They’re all?”I toss the pillow and sit up straight.“Who are,they?”

“That would be Vincenzo, Matteo, and your hot biker friend in the room down the hall.Though, I’m sure you have a little time before they get downstairs.They’re probably going to take turns punching each other or having some other type of pissing contest before they leave that room, I’m sure.”

“You’re Emelia.”I remember seeing her once at Vincenzo’s home in Oakridge.It was only for a split second, but I found her information in Tate’s files when I was digging for the information on the foster home Carter was sent to.She was the one who helped get Violet and Carter away from the abusive asshole Violet was once married to.

“I am.You’re one of the club girls.”She says.“The club Violet’s boyfriend belongs to, right?”

I frown.“I amnota club girl, but I’m assuming you don’t know much about the actual club outside of Declan’s membership, so I’ll let the insult slide.”

Emelia looks genuinely apologetic.“I’m sorry.I meant no disrespect.It’s like you said, I don’t know much about your club.The only bikers I know about are the ones who beat the shit out of me for doing my job and helping people.”

“The Devils beat you up?”

“It’s not important.I’m safe now.And so are you.Are you feeling better?”She asks, approaching the bed and taking a seat beside me on the edge.

“The headache is minimal now, down to a dull throb rather than an intense roar.My stomach is still a little on the queasy side.”

“Eat the toast.It will help.”She says smiling.Marta hands me a piece of toast on a plate and nods for me to eat it.“Do you remember anything about last night?They said you were found in your bra and panties extremely disoriented.Do you know if…what I mean is do you remember if anyone…?”