Page 36 of Hawk's Sapphire

Son of a bitch.

Puppies.Angry grandmas.Dirty diapers.Ghost with a penis drawn on his face.I run through a list of the farthest things from Sadie Jay.

“Mr.Hawkins.Mr.Parisi will speak with you now.”Pres looks to me and I have no idea what the hell is going on.

“There’s been a mistake, sweetheart.If he doesn’t want to see all of us, we understand.But Gabe here was the one looking to have a meeting with Vincenzo.”She pulls out her phone and starts typing.I hear the swooshing sound as she sends off her text.Less than a minute later the phone chimes.

She reads the message, then looks back to Gabe and says, “Mr.Parisi wishes to speak to Mr.Hawkins.However, he will see Mr.Jenkins as well.Only the two of you will be allowed back.The rest may stay here and enjoy the show until you return.”

Gabe nods his acceptance, but there’s no hiding his irritation at Vincenzo’s blatant disrespect.We follow her to the office and Gabe grumbles, “Is everyone trying to piss me off tonight, or did I just win the fucking lottery?”I smirk but know better than to poke the bear … at least until he calms down a bit.The man has perfect fucking aim.

When we reach his office, the woman knocks once and waits for a reply before letting us in.Vincenzo is sitting behind a large mahogany desk with one foot crossed over his knee and a tumbler of what looks to be whiskey in his hand.

“Ah, gentlemen.Come in.Sit.”

“Will there be anything else, sir?”The brunette asks.

“No, Gretchen.Go enjoy your evening.”Parisi replies, never taking his eyes off us.Gretchen gives a subtle nod and a smile and leaves the three of us to our own devices.

“Your right-hand is missing.It’s not like you to see us without one of your henchmen standing guard or waving a gun at us.”I know it’s not smart to poke the bear, but I know Gabe’s aim, I’ve never seen Vincenzo fire a gun so I’m thinking my chances are pretty good although the way his eyes turn nearly black and his lips curl into a sinister smirk have me second guessing my decision.

He shakes his head and directs his question to Gabe.“Is it a theme in your club to be so disrespectful?That’s the third time in as many weeks I’ve been greeted with ill manners.I must tell you, Gabriel.I am not impressed.It makes a man’s fingers itch to make …correctionsfor such behaviors.Don’t you agree?”

Gabe doesn’t smile, doesn’t even smirk.His eyes stay trained on Parisi’s when he responds.“I have to agree, disrespect seems to be running rampant in my town.People showing up unannounced, others going missing without a word, and some bringing traitors into the clubhouse when they know the Feds are on their ass bringing them right to my front door.I find all those things to be extremelydisrespectful.”

Gabe sits in the chair across from Vincenzo and I take the empty seat beside him.

Vincenzo smiles, leaning back in his seat.“Yes, I suppose you’re right.So, to what do I owe the pleasure.Gretchen said you wished to meet with me.What is it you need?”

“You don’t seem surprised to know the Feds are in town.Did you know Nate was an informant for them?”Pres digs right in.

Vincenzo shrugs one shoulder.“Not much happens in this town without me knowing about it.I learned about Nate being an informant the morning of his death, but knowing the Feds would be coming, it didn’t seem like a good idea to come to the clubhouse and warn you.My presence there would have brought more questions and undoubtedly more Feds.So, I chose to stay silent on the matter.Though, I hear your lawyer handled everything with ease.”

“You could’ve called.”Pres pushes.“We all know you’re keeping tabs on Sky, Avery, and Violet.”

“Sadie too, I’d imagine, since she’s become such close friends with Matteo.”

Vincenzo smiles wide when he turns his attention to me.“I do not vet who my men spend their time with.They are well and truly capable of doing that for themselves, Mr.Hawkins.As for the women, they were in no danger, so again, there was no need for me to contact you until after the Feds have cleared.My plan to keep them from learning of our friendship seems to be of no matter now as I’m certain they noticed six motorcycles leaving your clubhouse and finding their way to my place of business.”

“It’s not uncommon for a group of bikers to take a ride together and stop in a place where women are in various stages of undress and willing to entertain a man.”It’s my turn to smirk.“We’re known for liking pussy and getting it on the regular.Agent Galina won’t be surprised to know we’re all out on the prowl.”

“I should hope that’s not the case since Ethan and Jake have sworn their lives to their women.Two of the women I have made promises to oversee their happiness and well-being.If their men chose to be unfaithful while in my establishment, well, you could see how that could make the women no longer trust me and could potentially try to refuse my protection, making me unable to keep my word.And we all know, I am if nothing else, a man of my word.”Vincenzo’s voice lowers and all his playfulness has left his expression.This is the mob boss we’re talking to now.

“If Jake choses to be unfaithful to Avery, you’ll need to get in line because I’ll fuck his shit up myself.My daughter’s been through enough heartbreak.But in all fairness, that boy is too whipped to even notice another woman, let alone touch one.”Gabe’s expression is one of pride when he talks about his future son-in-law and his baby girl.

“Well, then, what is it you truly came here for Gabriel?I have other business to attend to.”

“I assume you’ve looked into Nate and his connection to the Feds.Or why Trident felt they had the right to infiltrate my clubhouse with Thomas and mete out a death sentence that was not theirs to serve?Maybe you happen to know something about the three dead Devils and one of our ex- club girls being found killed inside Oakridge territory?”Pres isn’t playing games tonight.He’s getting straight to the point.

Vincenzo chuckles.“You ask a lot of me, Gabriel.But you and I both know, my help does not come without a price.Even for friends.”

Gabe leans forward bracing his arms on his legs, his hands clasped.If I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was intrigued or somewhat excited to hear what Vincenzo has to say, but that’s not the case.Vincenzo has a reputation for only doing things only when there is a considerable benefit to himself.Gabe’s anticipating something he’s not going to like and deciding whether he’s going to start another war.We’re already in one with the Devils, but we don’t need to start another with Vincenzo.

I hope.

“What is it you want from the club?”

“Nothing from the club Gabriel.What I want is the cooperation of one, Mr.Nathaniel Hawkins.”They both look to me.Something cold slithers up my spine.I’m not afraid of Vincenzo Parisi, but I’m also not dumb enough to underestimate him either.

---