Page 18 of Hawk's Sapphire

It was one of my prototypes that saved Avery’s fucking life when the Kings couldn’t find her!

The thought shouts through my head.I helped the club find her and bring her back home, but does Hawk acknowledge any of those things I’ve done?Yes.As reckless and irresponsible.More of my antics thatcould havecost the club.

Not how I’ve created something useful.Solved a problem for people’s families.Nor how I’ve created a business that is starting to take off all before my twentieth birthday.Of course the partnership with the Parisi’s came at a cost higher than anticipated, but if my trackers can help them stop human trafficking, it’s a worthy price to pay.

Even if it costs me my own life.

I can’t think about that now.

All I have ever wanted was to beseenby him.For him to realize we are on the same team and are both valuable assets to the club - that I’m worthy to be a King.

Maybe he did see me for a brief moment because heclaimedmelast night.He made that choice -to take me to bed - branding me as his.And with one simple sentence, he destroyed it all.I didn’t even get to keep the illusion for a full day before he snatched it away and made me face the harsh reality that I will never be his.

It's shit like club secrets and asshole bastard fathers and their fuck-ups that make it impossible for me to be his.

I knew Hawk wouldn’t keep me.I knew it was all an illusion because I was already set to leave.I knew he would never accept me when he discovered I helped Thomas.I knew.But somehow my stupid heart believed if he could love me enough to claim me, maybe he could love me enough to forgive me.

“I don’t know what the hell I was thinking claiming you last night.This would never work.I can never trust you to be honest or do what’s best for us or the club.”

“Fuck you.”I mumble to the empty space.

“Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?”Matteo’s voice startles me, pulling me out of my downward spiral.“Is the apartment not to your liking?”

“This place is bigger than my house.I hardly think you can call it an apartment.”I tease.

Matteo smiles.“You’re right.But calling it a penthouse sometimes makes people think I’m a snob.”I turn to look at him, wondering if I heard him right.

“Was that a joke?”I smile.Matteo smiles back, and it’s one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.The man is a god in a suit.Too bad I’m not into rich, Italian made men with a chiseled body and overflowing bank accounts.

Maybe I need my head checked.

Stepping into my space, Matteo purses his lips as he studies my face, his hand gently lifting my chin for a better look.“I thought you took a nap on the plane.Why do your eyes look swollen and puffy.Were the accommodations not to your liking, Dolcezza?”

I pull out of his grip, darting my eyes around the large expanse of a room.“I’m fine.Probably need a few more hours.It’s been a stressful few days.”He grunts as I spin away and take in my new home for the next few months.

It’s a wide-open space, something I’ve noticed in all of the Parisi homes.They like to be able to see every inch of their space.The kitchen is huge, all white counters and black marble with flecks of gold in the grain.The entire place is white walls, black leather, and gold accents.There are no family photos or cute throw pillows.It all seems so …sterile.

The only part of the space I find remotely relaxing is the wall to ceiling windows at the far side of the room.The view of the city sky is so beautiful.Even with the other tall buildings in view, it still seems peaceful up here.No one would know the mafia was up here planning people’s deaths and eternal damnation with a view like that.

“Come.I’ll show you to your room.Then you can tell me what you need for Paolo to do to set up your office space.Your things are waiting for you in your closet, but your computers have all been moved down the hall.”Matteo guides me by the shoulder, ushering me down the long hallway.The sound of his designer shoes tapping on the tile floors echoes as we go.

“Can we, I don’t know put something on the walls or some runners on the floors.Something to make it a little less eerie in here?”

“Eerie?”He asks quizzically.

“It’s so empty.Everything echoes.It’scold.”

“I see.Well, how about this.Since you’ll be living here while we train and gather intel, you can put your feminine touches on the place.Would that help?”Is he for real?I know he’s a man who takes no shit from anyone and gives zero fucks about taking the life of a man who crosses him, but sometimes he’s so…sweet.It’s hard to see him as a badass killer.

“What?”He asks as I study him, a little in awe.

I smile.“Are you really such a teddy bear under all those muscles and expensive suits?”

Mattoe’s laughter fills the hall.When he finally collects himself, he opens the heavy wooden door and inside is a large, four-post black metal bed with a canopy covered with a dark blue, almost black comforter.Sheer black drapes are tied at each corner with dark blue satin bows.All the furniture is a dark walnut stained wood that goes well against the metal bed.The window’s covered with thick, heavy drapes, but like the living room the view is amazing.

“Wow.”It’s the only word to describe this room.

“Good.You like it.”Matteo says.“Your bathroom is right through that door.The other door on the right is your closet.You’ll find your things are already in there.If you need anything else to make you feel at home, special toiletries or whatever else you may want, let me know and I will send Ophelia, the house manager to get it.”

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