Page 44 of Sapphire's Gem
“Sadie, who is the cook, and Marabelle, the admin girl.”
“How bad, Gabi?”
“Sadie took a punch to the face, but Marabelle tackled him and was smashed into a wall. Danvers hit her a couple of times, but she’ll be okay physically. Mentally is a different story,” Gabi said.
“Okay,” I replied. I spent the next half hour reassuring the women that we’d review all security measures and that we’d cover any medical help they needed.
“Look, Sapphire, I know you’re feeling responsible, but you’re not. You didn’t create these monsters. I might take a day or two off to heal up, but I’ll be back,” Marabelle said.
“You’re a brave lady,” I replied.
“And so are you, Sapphire. Many could step up and don’t. They all turn their backs and ignore what’s right under their noses? Not the Royal Harlots. Don’t worry about us, get that poor woman to a safe house,” Marabelle urged.
“We’ll have security on the grounds within a week. I know a company we can use. We’ll put two on at all times.”
“If you insist,” Marabelle agreed as she sat back behind her desk.
I did. It was the least we could do to keep everyone safe.
???
Wylde was waiting for me when I left to check it was safe for Geri to leave. “Are you okay?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, confused.
“How River’s treated you.”
“Oh, I’m used to that. In your opinion, is her attitude any different from half the townspeople?”
“People shouldn’t judge,” Wylde snapped, looking annoyed.
I tossed my hair back and laughed. “Like you, Wylde? You judged us and still do.”
“No!”
“Yes. I know you do. You think we’re into illegal things. Let me tell you something, Wylde: we might be—we might not. But if we were, we’d not do anything to harm anyone. Most of the clubhas suffered at the hands of someone. We wouldn’t put that on others. Traffickers, drugs, arm shipments, they’re things we look to take down. Not take up. The tip-offs your department has had, who on earth do you suppose they come from?”
Wylde rocked back on his heels as he considered my words.
“We might dabble, but that’s all it would ever be. Hardened criminals who destroy lives are something we’re not. And you and I, Wylde, we’re at two opposite ends of the spectrum. Not everything is black and white, because grey exists.”
With that, I turned and walked away. Wylde may want into my pants, may even want more than that, but it wouldn’t work out. He was the law, and I was a criminal in his eyes. I was good at shocking his family, but I wasn’t someone he’d take to the policeman’s ball. A pang hit me as I entered the shelter. Would anybody ever want me for me? Could someone look past the president of an MC and see the woman underneath it?
Wylde
I’d known how deep the Royal Harlots were in with the shelter. It was the one thing the people of Portsmouth respected them for. Rivers was pissed, though. She wanted to know where the safe houses were, and after realising she’d get shit from Sapphire, she was now pressing me.
“Forget it, even if I knew, I’d not tell. Those women deserve somewhere safe to stay. Doesn’t matter how much we try to keep shit quiet, things leak, Rivers,” I said, finally losing patience with her.
“And this has nothing to do with you wanting to get your dick wet?” Rivers retorted. Luckily for her, we were in the precinct’s car park when she opened her mouth, or there’d have been hell to pay.
I ground my teeth audibly, and Rivers looked proud that she’d got a reaction. “Come with me,” I ordered.
“You’re not my boss,” Rivers shot back.
“Get your fuckin’ ass inside and to the captain’s office before I put an official complaint in,” I warned her and marched off. I didn’t even stop to see if she was following, but went straight for Hatton’s door. I banged loudly on it, knowing my rigid stance and anger were drawing attention.
“Come in,” Hatton called.
