Page 56 of Hawk's Sapphire

“It’s easy.”Cash shrugs.“Sadie knows all of Hawk’s moves.She’s been dodging his shit for years now.So, think about what your next move would be and how you would outsmart yourself.”

The room erupts in laughter.

Fuck me if it isn’t a good idea.

A couple hours later, I’m in my room checking through my email when I notice an email from an unfamiliar address.The subject says “special invitation”.Upon opening it, it is in fact an invitation to a private party in the penthouse at the Whittmore Hotel in Baron’s Edge.

I shoot off a text to Pres letting him know I’ve been invited to what I’m guessing is the auction party.The rest of the email goes on to explain I’m to bring my plus one from the gala with me.All attendees must sign an NDA prior to arrival and no phones or recording devices, such as cameras will be allowed once inside the venue.This party is black tie for the men.Women’s attire is under the advisement that less is more.

What.The.Fuck.

I send a text and a copy of the email to Agent Galina letting her know the situation.The party is in five days which gives us time to set a plan in motion.She’ll need time to get her men briefed and placed around the building.Given it’s in Baron’s Edge, my guess is they’ll use the harbor to transfer the women they auction off to their respectful owners, so I hit up Declan and Wyatt to have a team from Garrison in place to intercept just in case.

Before I shut down my computer, I send off one more text message to Vincenzo Parisi letting him know what our next steps are.His reply is immediate.

V: Go see Alberto and have him fit you for a custom suit.My treat.This is not a request.

Me: I have a suit.

V: Can you suit stop bullets?

Me: Point made.

V: See Alberto.I will tell him what I want you to wear.Go tomorrow.

23

SADIE

This dress, if I can even call it that, is completely sheer black material.It’s covered in small satin polka-dots and satin edges around the collar, arms, waist, and bottom.The undergarments—bra, panties and garters, which are clearly visible—are also black satin and leave little to the imagination.Thankfully, Matteo was considerate enough to put me in bikini underwear and not a G-string.It’s too cold this time of year, not that this outfit will do anything about keeping me warm.

I’m sitting in the back of a limousine with Matteo and Sergio, bouncing my leg and trying to get rid of my nervous energy.It’s not the auction party that has my nerves on edge.It’s the fact this outfit leaves me with nowhere to hide a weapon.Thery’d be visible to everyone.I tried to hide a knife in my bra, but Matteo vetoed the idea in case we’re asked to have me strip in front of anyone.

That thought did nothing to help my nerves.

Thankfully, Matteo thought far enough ahead to put me in a long black wool trench coat before leaving his penthouse or we might have gotten arrested for indecent exposure.

“Stop fidgeting, Dolcezza.You’ll do fine.”Matteo reassures me.

“Easy for you to say.You have two guns strapped to your body, while I’m left with only my hands to defend myself.”I huff.

“You’ve been taught well enough to only need your hands.”Sergio says, taking offense to my remark.He prides himself on how well he’s trained me, though he’s still a little salty about me throwing a knife at him.

“It’s not about whether I’m trained or not.It’s about what makes me feel more comfortable.”Just to fuel his annoyance, I say the words with a little extra sweetness and a practiced, fake smile.“I know how to defend myself, but I would feel better if I had a weapon to slow an attacker down if need be.”

“There will be no need.”Matteo grips my knee gently.“I will be watching you the whole time.No one will touch you without permission.If they do, I’ll cut off their hand.Understood?”

I nod because what else is there to say to that.His confidence and reassurance help, but I still can’t shake this feeling that something bad is about to happen at this party.I can feel it in my gut.

When we pull up to the Whittmore Hotel, I have to fight to keep the scowl off my face.The bastards who used to own this place were the ones who thought they could buy my best friend.The son, Kyle, thought he was going to marry her and turn her into his little whore.Once he grew bored with her, his plan was to kill her and take her inheritance.Luckily, Jake and the Kings got to Kyle first.

But who owns the hotel now?

I make a mental note to do some research when we get back tonight.

The three of us enter the lobby, a stark white space with only the paisley patterned carpet and pops of red and gray in the furniture to give the room some warmth.Even the tile floors are white.It seems such a stark contrast to the dark things looming on the penthouse floor.

We don’t bother with the front desk and head straight to the elevator where Matteo puts in the special room key he received with an all-black invitation via currier this morning.The elevator passes each floor one at a time until, my stomach dropping a little with each passing number until we get to the top floor and the doors open.

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