Chapter Nineteen.
Hayden
Wow, Sapphire actually looked happy to see me. Her smile lit her face when she smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but grin in return. For a moment, it felt like we were the only two in the room.
“Mind your tongue!” Mrs Price snapped, drawing our attention back to her.
Before I could answer, Sapphire did. “Why should he? He took five bullets from those gangbangers. Not you. No, you’re quite happy throwing rumours and slander around. Detective Wylde didn’t. Instead, he was out protecting us while you sat in your church and bitched.
“Detective Wylde merely asked about when the last time you did anything charitable? Did you even thank him for his service and for nearly losing his life? The fact you’re taking offence shows you’re all mouth and no action.
I bet you only do something is when it looks good for you. What a disgrace to your church.
“Shut your trap and park your ass back down. Nobody here cares what you think. And certainly not the public, who know Wylde is a hero, like Detective Cassidy too. Who the fuck are you to pass judgment on two men who were nearly killed for us?” Sapphire snarled.
Voices rose in agreement, and people stared daggers at Mrs Price.
Warmth rushed through me at Sapphire’s words.
I could have defended myself easily, but it was nice having Sapphire do it.
She looked stunning, eyes flashing and her temper on display.
Like Boudica defending the Iceni tribe against the Romans.
Mrs Price’s mouth opened and shut like a fish out of water. Finally, she gathered her tattered dignity and sat.
“Anyone else got something they want to accuse the Royal Harlots of? Speak up now and let’s settle it as adults,” Sapphire demanded.
I gazed around the hall and noted the people who looked down at their feet and those who held Sapphire’s eyes.
“Fine. I, too, would like to know if the PPD has anything on this gang that wants to cause problems in our town. And if the RHMC can help, we will. Maybe a Citizen watch or something? A phone tree if someone is in trouble? We have many cameras in the businesses that we provide security for. Would access assist the police if a crime is committed?” I suggested.
“That’s very kind of the RHMC. Any aid you ladies could give us would be wonderful. We’re increasing foot patrols in the main shopping areas. We’d love to put an officer on every street, but that’s impossible. What we’re asking…” Hatton’s voice droned on as I caught Sapphire’s gaze.
She was watching me intently and appeared a little uncertain of herself.
I smiled warmly at her, and her face lit up.
Hopefully, this meant she’d changed her mind about us.
It had been freaking hard keeping away from her, but it had been the best thing.
Sapphire had needed to miss me and what we’d been building together.
It seemed my long plan had worked, even if it had hurt me at the same time.
I had to stay until the end of the meeting, although I hadn’t returned to duty yet.
I had several weeks before I’d be allowed back, but Hatton wanted Cassidy and me present.
A very visual example of how seriously the PPD was taking this gang threat.
Hatton had expected our appearance to drum up support for what he needed, and it seemed to be working.
We also shut up assholes like Mrs Price.
Guess even getting shot had a silver lining.
Sapphire
“Saph,” Hayden called as I lingered. The meeting had been over for half an hour, and I’d held back, wanting to talk to him.
“Hi,” I said lamely and then smiled in embarrassment. “God, that was a lame-ass comment,” I mocked myself.
“I’ll take a hey over silence,” Hayden replied. “Want to go for a ride?”
I looked up at him. “Just like that?”
“Sapphire, you’re a stubborn-assed woman. Forcing you to accept us would never work; I had to wait for you to come around.”
“What if it had taken longer?” I asked, needing the answer.
Hayden’s knuckles lightly grazed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. “Then I’d have waited. There’s a connection between us I’ve never felt with anyone else. I wasn’t about to lose it because you had your head up your ass.”
I laughed at his reply. “Fancy a ride? Ever ridden bitch before?”
Hayden hesitated and shook his head.
“Ashamed to be seen sitting behind me?” I pushed.
“No, go easy on me; it’s my first time riding bitch,” Hayden quipped, and I chuckled.
“Come on, cop, let’s have some fun.”
I swung up onto my Harley, and Hayden mounted behind me. I revved, and several revs came back at me. My sisters peeled out and disappeared into the night, all hooting their approval.
I headed out of town towards the waterfront. The route always calmed me, and I enjoyed the scenery. Hayden had wrapped himself around me, and it felt nice. He didn’t seem bothered that he was riding bitch, enjoying the ride with me.
Finally, after half an hour, I parked up, aware of his wounds.
“I love coming here. There’s something special about this place; I’ve always loved it,” I said as the waves crashed against the beach.
“I prefer this part rather than the more populated end,” Wylde agreed.
“Sometimes we come out here and have a barbecue.”
“That’s illegal,” Hayden teased. “Do I need to get my cuffs out?”
“We use a propane grill,” I replied with a smile. “But I might use the handcuffs on you later.”
“Promises, Saph. I’ll hold you to that,” Hayden replied and swung off the bike. He held out a hand, and I smiled and grabbed it as I climbed off. I could have done it myself, but Hayden’s act was chivalrous.
We walked slowly to the sand, where the waves grew louder. The moon shone in the bright starlit sky, and the night was warm.
Hayden came up behind me and embraced me. “Tell me you’re in this for real, Saph. That you’re not jerking me about.”
“Hayden, I’ve got no idea why you want me. I’m rude, abrupt, bossy, and won’t ever bow to a man,” I said.
“Yeah, you’re rough around the edges. You’re also loyal, kind, dedicated, funny, and many other qualities I admire. But you’ve not answered my question. Are you in this for real?”
“Yes. I don’t know how I’ll feel if something happens and you arrest one of us. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. But, Hayden, I want to try; I can’t promise I won’t fuck up. In fact, I can guarantee I will. That’s when you’re going to have to be patient with me,” I replied.
“That’s a promise, Saph,” he said as he tucked me tighter to his chest.
I liked that and leaned against him before I turned in his arms. I cupped his neck and pulled his head down. “Kiss me,” I ordered.
Hayden obeyed, and a thrill ran through me.
His lips moulded to mine, and I stood on tiptoes to press against his body.
It was as hard as I remembered, and his kiss blew me away.
Hayden didn’t hold back, and I felt his cock pressing against me.
I hooked one of my legs around his and plastered myself to him.
When the kiss ended, we were both panting, and one of his hands was gripping my ass while I did the same to him. A wolf whistle sounded from somewhere, and we both laughed.
“Let’s walk,” I said.
It was a beautiful night, and made all the better by the man at my side. It might have been classed as sappy, but holding hands with Hayden was a dream come true. Until the nightmare struck.
A vision hit me so hard it took me to my knees. Images flashed into my mind, and I gasped as I planted a hand on the sand to stop me from falling face-first. My body shook as the vision began repeating.
“Sapphire!” Hayden cried.
“Blood. People in a container. The seaport. Corpses, oh God, so many bodies. Some are still alive. Most are dead. There’re children. They’re weak. Starving.” The words flowed from me as Hayden knelt beside me.
“What’s going on?” he demanded.
“Death. It’s happening now. This is current. They’ve been left to die. Bodies are piled on top of each other. They’ve given up hope.”
“Where? Describe the container,” Hayden asked.
“Blue with rust on the corners. There’s white writing and a white bird on it.”
“Focus on the words, Sapphire. What can you read?” Hayden persisted.
“I can’t see. The container’s at the rear of the dry dock, where the short-stay containers are. Oh God, there’s so much death,” I moaned. Faces kept popping into my head, and I flinched at the lifeless stares, and then the vision faded.
“Are you okay?” Hayden’s concerned face appeared in my line of sight.
“Shit, tell me that didn’t just happen?”
“Stay down; you’re shaky.”
Hayden’s phone rang, and he answered it. “Cassidy, get to the short-term dry docks. Take some uniforms and find a blue container with white writing and a white bird.”
“A red circle surrounds it, enclosed by a green one; I think it was a seagull,” I muttered.
Hayden sent me a look and then repeated the information.
“I’m calling in the club. You’re going to need help to search,” I murmured.
‘Belladonna!’ I yelled telepathically, and our bond snapped into place. I sent her the vision, and she gasped.
‘Got them, we’re mobilising,’ she replied and cut the connection. I knew she’d put those images into our sister’s heads, and they’d all be riding within minutes.
“The RHMC are rolling out. They’ll need permission, Cassidy. I don’t think Hatton can authorise more officers on an unsubstantiated tip-off,” Hayden was saying.
I glowered at him. “Yeah, they’ll have their cuts. Get them access; we’ll need the searchers. Have bolt cutters with you; these victims are bound to be locked in, and make sure there are two ambos on the scene. I’ll speak to Hatton.”
Hayden cut the call.
“Let’s ride and, Sapphire, this time, break the speed limit. I’ll have Hatton clear us,” he ordered.
“You believe me just like that?” I gasped as I shoved upwards and sat back on my haunches.