Chapter Fourteen. #2
“Detectives Wylde and Cassidy were responding to a routine call. Usually, a uniform would have taken it, but they were close and offered to take it. We’re unsure whether they walked into an ambush or disturbed a meeting.
Wylde called in saying they were taking fire, and then he called in with a ten thirty-four saying Cassidy was down. ”
“But Wylde is the most seriously injured.”
Hatton ran a hand over his face. “Yeah. He threw his body over Cassidy and took the bullets. We believe Wylde downed four of the perps, killing three, and uniforms killed a fifth as he attempted to flee.”
“Any news on Wylde?” I asked softly.
Hatton held my eyes. “You told him to take a hike.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Hayden Wylde is the most decent man I know. He can’t be corrupted. That guy fought for his country and still does by being a cop. He deserves someone who can accept who and what he is. That isn’t you.”
“Maybe not, but he chose me,” I retorted.
“You hurt him by cutting him out the other day. Let me tell you something, Sapphire. If Wylde catches you or yours dead to rights in a crime, he will bring you in. That’s the man he is, but he wouldn’t stop caring about you because he arrested you.
And if you really care for him, think about the position you’ll put him in. ”
I cocked an eyebrow, and Hatton smiled grimly.
“Wylde’s a clean cop; nobody doubts that—yet.
I stress yet. If he lets you girls slide on something, it will eat him.
He arrests you for something, it will eat him.
Wylde can’t win either way. And you’ll blame him for arresting your club, or you’ll look at him as weak.
Honestly, I wish he’d walk away from you all, but he’s hooked. ”
I pondered his words. What Hatton said hurt, because I did like Wylde—a lot.
Could I make Wylde walk away? Undoubtably.
Did I want to? No, and that was the shitty mess I found myself in.
My club was illegal; there was no doubt about it.
Sure, some of our shit we could legitimise, the underground casino, for example.
But smuggling, money laundering, and hiring assassins—none of that would ever be legal.
They made us money, and my sisters and I liked money.
I didn’t see why they should have to go without so that I could have a man.
There was also the fact that we liked to torture the assholes who thought they were better than us.
And the fact that none of us had any qualms about killing.
How could I keep Wylde from finding out about all that?
“He’s going to survive?” I demanded, shoving everything aside. For now, there was a more important matter.
Hatton ran a hand over his face. “He was flatlined when he was brought in, Sapphire. I can’t answer that. It doesn’t look good.” Hatton’s face showed empathy and sorrow.
“You knew him from the army.”
“I did.”
“Wylde will fight. My sisters, Stitch and Vengeance, will stay here while I do some work,” I said.
Hatton snorted and stepped closer to me.
He bent his head and murmured in my ear.
“This is what I meant. You’re going hunting and looking for his attackers.
You’ll find them and deal with them. Personally, Sapphire, I hope you make them fuckin’ scream.
But knowing the man Wylde is, he’d want them brought in. ”
“We’ll disagree on that. Because I know how much he values family, and Cassidy is his brother in all but blood,” I whispered back.
“Happy hunting, Sapphire. Think of what I said.”
Hatton stepped away, and I saw the entrance doors open.
Warrick Cassidy entered looking wrecked.
He wore a PFD tee, and I guessed he’d been on shift.
Hatton moved over to him and took his shoulder firmly as he spoke in low tones to the man.
Before my eyes, Warrick’s face crumpled, and resolve grew. I was going to find those assholes.
I slipped away as I saw Pops and Gramma rushing through the door.
Somehow, I didn’t expect Wylde’s parents, and I wasn’t surprised not to see them.
Hatton and Warrick turned to them, and Warrick embraced Gramma as she cried on his shoulders.
The blue sea surrounded them, offering comfort and support.
My eyes stung with unshed tears as I turned and slunk away.
Stitch and Vengeance were waiting outside. Stitch looked at me, and whatever she saw on her face made her wince.
“Save them.”
“I will,” Stitch promised.
“Cover her and get her out of here when it’s done,” I said to Vengeance.
I knew what I was asking. It was a lot. As near death as Wylde was reported to be, it would drain Stitch.
She’d lock onto his life force first and stabilise him.
Once she had Wylde steady, she’d heal Cassidy to the point he could hold his own.
Then she’d work on Wylde. While Stitch healed Cassidy, Wylde would be tethered to her own life force.
It was dangerous for her. If he were circling the drain, he’d quickly leech her strength and weaken her.
Stitch would only ever heal a sister in circumstances like this or someone who’d paid a fortune for her services.
And I do mean a fortune. This would put Stitch on her back for at least a week while she recovered, and I would ensure she was paid for her recovery.
Stitch shook her head, reading my mind, and I didn’t argue.
I’d move the money into her account later today.
I rarely spent anything, so I had my own personal fortune sitting in a bank gathering interest. Fortune also played with my money, doubling and tripling it, just as she did with everyone else.
I could easily pay Stitch and not notice a dip.
Even though she was my sister, she was still providing a service.
Wylde wasn’t my man. I hadn’t claimed him.
But Stitch was stepping up and not asking questions.
I watched through the glass windows as they entered the waiting room and took two seats at the rear. Hatton’s head twisted, and he stared straight at them. Stitch closed her eyes, and I knew she was searching for Cassidy and Wylde.
Strangely, Hatton’s eyes flicked to the clock and then back to Stitch. His shoulders sagged a little, and I swear some tension left his body.
I wanted to stay and watch; Hatton had captured my curiosity, but Belladonna stole my attention.
“We have a lead.”
“Let’s hit the bikes,” I ordered. A prospect had brought mine to the hospital. I glanced over my shoulder one last time before heading out.
◆◆◆
“You shot two cops,” I hissed as I swung a heavy pipe into my palm.
“They’re cops, why are you bothered?” the gang member hissed at me. I’d nicknamed him Idiot because he was. I wasn’t interested in his name at all.
“Because if anyone takes a cop’s life, it’s us. What fuckin’ right do you think you have to walk into my city and shoot people under my protection?”
“Your protection?” Idiot sneered. “You’re a bunch of pussies. None of you holds power.”
I laughed. “Then why the fuck are you and your two little buddies here having been hunted and captured by a bunch of pussies?”
“Bitch, you really think we’re frightened of you?”
Slowly, I allowed a smile to cross my face. “Dagger.”
Dagger stepped up, and I settled in to listen to Idiot scream. His two friends watched in horror.
An hour and a half later, Dagger ended her torture. Idiot was left a mess of torn and battered human flesh. I walked up to him, held their eyes, raised my weapon, and shot Idiot straight through the middle of his forehead.
Then, with blood splattered on my face, I turned to the others.
“Start talking.”
They did.