Page 46 of Sapphire's Gem
“What’s your gut say, Wylde?”
“I doubt they’re clean. Money laundering, smuggling, hacking, yeah, I can see them doing that.”
“I’ve heard rumours of an illegal underground casino, and creating fake identities for the women that are rescued. And I’ve been told of an escort service that RHMC runs, but I can never get a lock on it. The RHMC are alleged to protect prostitutes as well. Stops the pimps beating the crap out of them.”
“Captain, I think they’re doing illegal crap, but is it shit we want to shut down? Our crime rates have been low for the last eight years, but they began dropping slowly after the Royal Harlots arrived. I also believe they’re behind the attacks on the gang members.”
“You do?” Hatton asked; his eyes gave away that he’d already arrived at that conclusion, too.
“Yeah. These assholes are trying to move in on territory claimed by the club. They have cleaned the streets around them; they won’t like what’s going on,” I said.
“Agreed.” Hatton shoved a shot glass at me. “Drink. And tell me about wanting Sapphire and what happened at the country club.”
I choked on my mouthful of whiskey. Fucker planned that, I swear!
Chapter Ten.
Sapphire
We parked behind Ambrosia and headed through the rear door. The back part of the restaurant was closed to diners in the morning, and every Sunday, we met here for breakfast. It was a ritual we all embraced. Even the stable or family members would come with us. I was surprised when there was a knock at the door, and Dagger opened to and stared at the couple standing there.
“Gramma? Pops? What are you doing here?” I asked, getting up from my chair.
“Pops and I heard that you girls had breakfast here, and we wondered if we could join you,” Gramma said.
“Um, sure, come on in,” I replied, confused. I swapped glances with Sparrow and then Belladonna.
Belladonna was grinning from ear to ear, and I longed to ask why. I settled Pops and Gramma at a table and introduced them to Rosie, Stitch, Lantern, and Candle.
“What’s put that grin on your face?” I whispered to Belladonna.
“They’re Wylde’s grandparents, he’s the apple of their eye,” Belladonna murmured back.
I already knew that after spending lunch with them. Wylde could do no wrong in their eyes.
“Yeah?”
“They want to get to know his new girlfriend, whom they both highly approve of,” Belladonna said and began laughing.
I sent her a horrified look. “They think that’s me?”
“Yup. Sapphire, be nice to them, they’re really sweet people,” Belladonna warned.
“I already knew that,” I hissed, miffed that she felt she had to warn me.
“And they are totally stoked that Wylde is with you; they thought he’d never settle down and have babies!”
“What the fuck?!” I yelled and forced a grin when Pops and Gramma glanced over at me.
Belladonna howled with laughter.
“That’s as funny as fuck. I’d love to know how you’re going to get out of this one,” she said and marched off as a person banged on the restaurant door.
Someone needed to whack me with a frying pan when Belladonna opened it and Warrick, Cassidy, and Wylde sauntered in. Wylde’s lips curved into a smile as he took in my stunned expression as Warrick wound his way through the tables and sat his ass down next to Sparrow. I followed his progress, noting how Sparrow lit up at the sight of the hunky fireman.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed at Wylde.
My sisters were all alert at having two cops among us.
