Chapter Five. #2
“Do you have any idea how many blue and white ships there are out there? I’ll do my best and can narrow it down by looking at those due to arrive here in the next few months. But I reckon we’ll have at least ten to twenty possible targets,” Cyber replied.
“Maybe even more,” Blade added, and Cyber nodded.
“We can only do our best; we ain’t fuckin’ superheroes,” I said, and there were a few chuckles. “I’m going to put the prospects in the restaurant for now. They can watch it at night and make sure nobody hits it before Tuesday. They might even catch those who are casing the joint.”
“Four out of five men won’t be hard to miss. They’ll stand out,” Stitch said, and I dipped my head in acknowledgement.
“We’ve got a plan. I’ll update Sapphire when she wakes up.
Storm, can you speak to the prospects and set up a timetable for them?
They only need to be there from when the sun goes down until the restaurant closes.
The vision showed diners, which makes it easier for us,” I said. “Anything else from anyone?”
“No.” The word came back multiple times.
“Church adjourned,” I stated and banged the gavel.
As my sisters filtered out, Belladonna stayed behind. She waited until everyone had left and then turned to me. “Sapphire held something back.”
“What?” I demanded. That was unlike Sapphire.
“She had another vision. It was Detective Wylde, he told her, ‘They’re on their way.’”
“They are coming? Who?” I asked, my brow wrinkling in concern.
“More importantly, why wouldn’t she say she saw him?” Belladonna pressed, and I shrugged.
“Good question. You can ask her that,” I reported.
“Yeah, think again, Sister, you took VP, not me,” Belladonna shot back.
“How the hell did you end up not getting a position?” I complained.
“Because I wasn’t stupid. Saph tried to get me into various roles. I wasn’t keen on that responsibility!”
“There is still Tail Gunner,” I teased, and Belladonna glowered.
“Get out,” I ordered, climbing to my feet.
Belladonna poked her tongue out and disappeared.
Sapphire
Shit, I’d been run over by a ten-ton truck by the feel of it. The headache was gone, and I didn’t experience as much weakness as I had, but I wasn’t myself. I stood under the shower, letting the hot water soothe away any lingering pain.
The aches remained as I headed downstairs after the shower. It was Monday, and shit had to be done. Just because I’d had a vision, the MC didn’t stop running.
An hour later, I was going through the usual reports when someone knocked on the door. I called out an enter and was surprised to see Cass standing there.
“Come in, Cass,” I said.
He did and took a seat. I studied him, noting how on edge he seemed.
“Prez, I was approached this morning while getting the groceries.”
“Okay?”
“The guy looked early twenties and wore gang colours. He offered me five thousand to give him some information about Ambrosia and about The Royal Sleep,” Cass continued. I sat up at the second name. The Royal Sleep was the premier hotel in Portsmouth. It was opulent and expensive.
“Damn.”
“I refused him, of course. But you need to know, a gang is eyeing up Royal Harlot businesses,” Cass warned.
“Did he threaten you?”
Cass wriggled in his chair.
“Cass.”
“Yeah. He did. Told me I was making a mistake and to watch my back. He also took my vehicle details,” Cass said.
“Okay, take one of the club vehicles from now on in. Do we need to move your mom to a safe place?”
“I don’t know, Prez. They could have been following me; I’m not sure. The asshole knew not to approach me,” Cass admitted.
“What did he threaten you with?”
“The usual bullshit. Broken bones, beating, death. He didn’t speak of my mom, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t aware of her,” Cass murmured.
“Okay. Speak to Poker; she’ll have a safe house for your mom. Or we can bring her here, but I doubt she’d approve of your role, Cass.”
Cass snorted. “Me being a male whore for a female motorbike club? Hell no, she wouldn’t. But it pays for her care.”
“You got issues with what you do?” I asked, wondering if he was looking for an exit.
“Honestly, Saph? No, I don’t feel emasculated.
I’m still at uni and getting my degree, and I’ve got food on the table.
You treat us with respect, and that goes a long way.
Sure, Mom would be appalled, but she’s got a roof over her head and no medical debts hanging around her neck. She’s no right to complain.”
“If that changes, any of it, Cass, come and see me. Nobody is going to be forced to be here.”
“I’m happy, Prez, you’ve got no need for concern around me. Anyway, have you guys seen yourselves? Who the hell wouldn’t want to be in my shoes?” Cass rose to his feet and winked.
I chuckled at his audacity.
“Keep me apprised of your degree, dude, I might have something you can run if you pass it,” I said, and Cass’s eyes went wide.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Cass, you’re twenty-three and have been with us for five years. Loyalty like that is rewarded. But if we hire you to run a business, no more male club slut,” I stated.
Cass bit his lip and frowned. I laughed as I realised he was weighing up the pros and cons.
“Get out, Cass. And keep me updated on all fronts,” I ordered.
“I’ll go find Poker. Thanks, Prez,” he said.
I watched Cass leave and considered the conversation.
We owed none of our stable anything, but we did take care of them.
The truth was, they were there when we needed to scratch an itch, but that came with perks and benefits.
They weren’t allowed to date, as we had exclusive rights to their cocks.
A lot of men couldn’t handle that, but those in the stable could.
Like Cass, they were all here for a reason; his was to get him through uni and take care of his mom. I could respect that, but they had no say or claim on my MC. They were just cocks at the end of the day, albeit highly looked-after ones.
My phone rang, and I glanced down and saw a number I didn’t recognise.
“Hello?”
“Sapphire,” Wylde said, and I shivered.
“Detective.”
“How are you?” he asked, and my eyebrows rose.
“Seriously? You called me for a bullshit conversation?” I demanded, and Wylde chuckled, sending shivers down my spine.
“Nope. I’m just letting you know the DA threw the book at the perps who attacked Rose. They’re facing at least ten years inside.”
“Wow, justice for a female slut,” I quipped, and I felt Wylde’s disapproval down the phone.
“I have never said that, Sapphire, and I don’t appreciate the insinuation that I did!”
I sensed his outrage and anger. “Fine.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth, Sapphire. I take serious offence to that.”
“Okay, Wylde, I get it. I’m sorry,” I snapped.
“Good. Please pass my message on to Rose and have a nice day.” Wylde cut the call before I could reply. Damn, had I really upset him?
Hayden
Jesus, Sapphire could be a defensive bitch when she wanted to be.
I was annoyed by her judgment of me; I hadn't done it to her, and she was out of line. Why that bothered me so much was a subject I didn’t want to approach.
There was a knock on the door, and I looked up to see Knowles standing there staring at me.
The detectives had their own separate rooms from the uniforms.
“Can I help?” I asked him politely, ready to defend myself if he began mouthing off.
“Wanted to say thanks for your statement,” he said, holding my gaze.
“I told the truth,” I replied.
“And thanks to you, I’m not in the firing line.”
“Dix was out of line. He was the investigating officer, and he didn’t investigate. Neither did you insult Rose; that was all him. However, his investigation ends up, it isn’t my issue,” I stated.
“I’m being partnered with a new guy. The captain thought it best that we be separated because Dix is likely to be suspended by the end of today. That could have been me if you’d been a vindictive prick. Just wanted to say thanks,” Knowles said and headed out.
“You’re a fuckin’ hero,” Cassidy quipped as he walked past and slapped me on the shoulder.
“Asshole,” I shot back at my partner.
“Anything else from Gerrit?” Cassidy asked, sitting at his desk.
“Nope, Earl won’t allow us to talk to him. Said the kid has given his statement.”
Cassidy laughed. “Seriously? Those few sentences are all we’re going to get? Shit’s gonna hit the fan, Wylde, I swear. The Gerrits won’t let this shit go.”
“I’m well aware. We can only keep our eyes and ears open.”
“Damn straight.”
I glared at my phone as Sapphire’s words crossed my mind again. Jeez, I wouldn’t let her ruin my day even though my palms itched to spank some courtesy into her.