Chapter Twenty.
Hayden
I kept a sharp eye on Sapphire and her club, and not for reasons people might think.
They’d witnessed a truly horrific incident—something no one ever should.
Even cops prayed we’d never encounter a scene like we had two nights ago.
And as I watched carefully, I noticed that certain sisters had special… skills?
Heart appeared to be able to read everyone’s emotions and was often witnessed dragging a sister off who needed to talk.
I’d spotted Tinkerbell freezing several objects as she lost control of her feelings.
That had been interesting. Candle kept sparking little lightning bolts around her, and I swear to God, Sailor had a tendency to appear in two places at once.
“What are you thinking, cop?” Belladonna demanded as she sat opposite me.
I’d stayed with Sapphire for the last two days, knowing how bad it would affect her, and it had.
Between her and Sparrow, I’d been worried as they’d carried the bodies of the dead out of the container.
Sapphire had melted down last night and sobbed for hours.
I held her as she dealt with her pain and grief, and even cried myself.
“I have a name, Belladonna.”
“Yeah. Cop.”
“Whatever, Bella.”
Belladonna reared back. “Belladonna.”
“Hayden.”
She eyed me as if I’d shit on her bed, and I sighed. “Belladonna, I’m not here to harm anyone.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s this about?” I asked, as Belladonna clearly wanted something.
‘It’s about this. See, I can get into your head and destroy your mind.
Hurt my sisters and I’ll castrate you. None of us talks about our abilities to outsiders, and until you have a property cut on your back, you’re an outsider.
As you’re a cop, you’re observant and have noticed things.
What I can’t tell is, are you planning to out us? ’
I flinched away as her voice echoed inside my head. What the fuck?
“Yeah, cop.” Belladonna spoke out loud.
“Wow, Bella,” I retorted, sitting back and holding her gaze. “I’ve no intention of harming anyone here.”
“Says you.”
“Read my mind,” I returned, and Belladonna offered me a dark glare.
“I can’t. You’ve a natural shield,” she muttered finally.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“It means you have a block in place that stops me reading your mind.”
“But you just spoke to me in it,” I replied, confused.
Belladonna smirked. “Scary, ain’t it?”
“Not really; more, it’s made me curious.”
“I can speak to anyone as it’s their surface mind. I’m able to project images and thoughts into their heads. Hell, I can read most people’s minds, but you’ve got a shield in place. It will allow you to talk to me directly, but your private thoughts are closed off to me. I can’t read you.”
Damn, Belladonna sounded grumpy as fuck.
“And if I let you, would it help?” I offered.
Belladonna looked at me incredulously. “You know I’ll be able to read and see everything? All your little secrets, the things you’d never tell anyone.”
“Would it help?” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“Then how do I open myself?” I asked.
Belladonna stared at me in surprise. “You mean it?”
“Belladonna, I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t.”
‘Relax, cop,’ she ordered. ‘Imagine a brick wall, and it goes on and on forever. But you have a gate in the centre. Now, slowly envision that gate opening. You’re standing there, and I’m facing you. Reach out with your hand and take mine.’
I did as Belladonna instructed and wondered if it had worked.
Minutes later, Belladonna blinked. ‘Close the gate, Hayden.’
I mentally slammed it shut, and Belladonna laughed. “That was abrupt and a little rude.”
“Sorry. This isn’t something I’m used to.”
“I bet not. Welcome to the family, Hayden,” Belladonna said and got up. I watched as she walked away, bemused by her.
“Okay?” Sapphire asked, appearing and sitting on my lap.
“I think Belladonna and I just became friends,” I quipped, and Sapphire laughed.
“How?”
“I let her read my mind.”
Sapphire gaped at me. “You did what?”
“It reassured her I meant none of you any harm and that I wasn’t a spy sent here to trap you.”
“You did that for me?” Sapphire had a weird look on her face.
“For you and your sisters.”
“Nobody’s ever done anything like that for me before,” Sapphire said.
“Then shame on them. They’re fools for having treasure in their hands and losing it.”
“Are we going to address the elephant in the room?” I asked, and Sapphire stiffened.
“Huh?”
“Your powers or abilities? I’m a cop, Sapphire, meaning I’m observant. It’s pretty obvious some of you aren’t normal and are pretty damn exceptional,” I said.
Sapphire smiled at that. “We’re all special, but some of us have an extra thing.”
“That’s why you established this club. To give people with abilities somewhere to go,” I stated with a sudden flash of insight.
“There was already a place for men and women with powers to go. But we didn’t feel comfortable there. Instead, we created our own haven.”
“What is your power called?” I asked. “After all, I saw the visions, but what ability is it?”
“Clairvoyance. That’s the psychic ability to see things and events in the future or as they happen in real time.
Some clairvoyants get gut feelings or a distinct impression that something’s wrong.
I receive visions. It’s hard to control when the visions will hit.
I usually get about a ten-second warning. ”
“Shit, what if you’re riding?” I asked, worried.
“Oh, that’s happened a couple of times. I pull over ASAP as they can take me to my knees, as you saw,” Sapphire said all blasé.
“I don’t like that.”
“Hayden, there’s not much anyone can do to control it. The visions hit when they do. Believe me, I’ve spoken to people. There is something called a psychic anchor. They help ease the pain and force of our abilities and allow us more clarity.”
“Am I yours?”
Sapphire stared at me and then appeared contemplative. “I never considered that. We’re soulmates,” she mused, and I liked that. “But I didn’t consider whether you were my anchor. And the last vision I had was clearer, and I didn’t get the headache after.”
Sapphire looked stunned as suddenly I felt open and raw to her. Several heads snapped in our direction as Sapphire gasped. Something inside me snapped, and I frowned as I worried over what was happening.
“Sapphire! He’s your anchor!” Belladonna shrieked. Her yell drew the attention of those who hadn’t been watching.
“The cop’s her anchor?” Blade demanded approaching and studying us.
I wondered if my expression matched Sapphire’s. I felt stunned as I examined what could only be classed as a bond between us. It was new and slightly raw, but it was strong.
“You opened yourself to Hayden,” Sparrow whispered, staring at Sapphire in shocked awe. “I never thought I’d see the day you trusted a guy that much.”
“Thanks,” I replied with a hefty dose of sarcasm.
Sparrow shrugged. “I mean it. You’ve no idea what a miracle this is,” Sparrow continued.
“By your reaction, I can,” I muttered as I held Sapphire’s eyes. There was wonder in them as she examined the bond. I could feel her gentle touch and how awestruck she was.
“Will you wear my cut one day?” Sapphire asked, and I heard the uncertainty in her voice.
“I’d be your what?”
“Men in an MC have an old lady; we’d have old men,” Sapphire explained.
“What about the,” I cough, “stable.”
“I haven’t slept with any of them for months. It got boring for me, and I’ve had a recent check-up, and I’m clean.”
“I am too. Saph, it’s not in me to do short term or casual. I’m looking for my soulmate—the woman I’ll marry and have kids with. What’s important is being faithful. I don’t believe in sharing my wife,” I said.
“You want children?” Sapphire looked pensive.
“Yeah. I know you didn’t have shit easy as a kid, but you’d be a wonderful mom. You’re kind and loving, and kids would be lucky to have you.”
“Do you really think that, or are you blowing smoke up my ass?” Sapphire asked, and I laughed.
“I believe that,” I said.
“Aw,” somebody sighed, and we turned to see Sparrow and several of the sisters behind us.
“I need someone like you,” Sparrow declared.
“Lucky bitch,” Lantern agreed.
“I just don’t want the badge,” Rose added, and I chuckled.
“Fuck off, you perverts,” Sapphire snapped and jumped up. She grabbed my hand, and we headed upstairs to her apartment. Catcalls and whistles came from the peanut gallery.
Sapphire
I couldn’t believe I was back at the hospital.
Seriously, I had to buy shares in this place.
My sisters surrounded me, all tense and alert.
This shit needed to stop. I’d gotten a call two hours ago that Poker, Romeo, and Maverick had been attacked.
Poker was hurt the worst as she’d defended the men who, in return, tried to defend her.
I was anxiously waiting to speak to her and also waiting for an update on the three of them. The ER doors opened, and Maverick was wheeled out. Holy crap, he was a mess. Maverick boasted two black eyes, a split lip, and a bandage covered his cheek.
“Fuck!” Nun hissed as I carried on with my assessment. Another dressing covered his forehead. One of his hands was wrapped up, and I saw bruising around his throat. His other hand had bruised and split knuckles.
“They didn’t break my nose.” Maverick chuckled weakly.
“They broke everything else!” Nun cried as she raced over and knelt before him.
“What are Maverick’s injuries?” I demanded of the nurse who’d been pushing him.
“Maverick has two broken ribs and a fractured wrist.” Damn, I just noticed his cast. “He has multiple cuts and bruises and a concussion. We didn’t want to discharge Maverick, but he insisted. He has also pulled a muscle in his back and sprained his ankle.”
“Anything else?” I asked dryly.
“A headache,” the nurse added and released the wheelchair when Nun kept tugging on it. Nun wheeled Maverick over to the rest of the girls.
“The club will pay his bill,” I said, and the nurse nodded.