Page 62 of Hawk's Sapphire

“I wasn’t raped if that’s your concern.”I answer angrily.“No one touched me.I just got too hot, nauseated, and my clothes felt restrictive.I couldn’t breathe.”She nods but says nothing judgmental about my crazy behavior.

“Do you know who gave you the drink?”

“Sergio brought me and Matteo our drinks to the table.I assume he got it from one of his men stationed at the bar.”I saw two of Matteo’s soldiers planted near the bar earlier in the evening attempting to blend in.

Were they there when I came out?I can’t remember.

“And when the shots were fired?Were you hurt?Any other wounds I need to know about?”She approaches me gently, as if she’s trying to soothe a scared animal.

“If you want to examine me, just say so.I’m not hurt.I’m angry and fucking hungover, but I’m also not afraid.So, if you want to check me out, it’s fine.But the other guy already did an exam and stuck a fucking needle in my arm.So, if you could avoid sticking me with any sharp objects, I’d appreciate it.If I’m going to get poked from here on out, I’d prefer it be for pleasure rather than medicinal purposes.”

She smiles, placing her hands in the air palms up between us.“I’m not going to hurt you, and I’m sorry, but I’m not going to bring you any sort of pleasurable pain either.”Her words are playful, but her eyes tell of her discomfort and worry.She exhales deeply.“I’m sorry.I’m used to dealing with woman who have been abused or raped after being drugged.I’m not used to one waking up so …”

“Pissed off, annoyed, and ready to gut someone.”I tease.“Weirdly enough, I’m feeling a little horny too.Is that a side effect to the drugs?”

She laughs.“Not one that I’m aware of.”She reaches for the bottle of pain pills beside the bed and checks the label.“You can use these for now, but only if you really need them.These can make you drowsy and slow your reflexes which may make it difficult for you to exercise your need to gut someone.”She glances my way with a mischievous grin.“I assume you’ll want your wits about you.”

It's my turn to smile.“I can handle myself.Sergio made sure of that.”I suddenly remember and need to know, “Where is Sergio?What happened to him?He never lets me too far out of his sight, but when I came out of the bathroom he wasn’t there.”

“He was hurt.”She says, looking around the room, where Marta shakes her head quietly.

“You shouldn’t share the boss’s business with outsiders.”Marta warns.

“Sadie is not an outsider.She deserves to know what happened to her guard.”Emelia replies harshly.

“I wasn’t talking about her.Sheis not an outsider.She has become family to Mr.Parisi.”She huffs.“But you…I do not know you, except that you came here, and trouble followed you.”

Marta grabs her tray, leaving only the toast and water behind mumbling something in Italian as she exits the room.

“What was she talking about?”I ask, because I’ve never known Marta to be so harsh toward anyone.She’s a smartass to Sergio and will give me shit from time to time whenever Matteo isn’t around to hear it, but she’s never harsh.“What trouble are you in?”

Emelia shrugs.“The kind that starts with arrogant Italian men who think they can own people and force them to bend to their will because they have beautiful eyes, a nice smile, and a body made for sin.Unfortunately, what they all lack is a sense of humor, and a willingness to see anyone else’s point of view or desires as important.”

“You sure you aren’t talking about bikers, because you just described most of the men in my life, save the Italian part.Although, I seemed to have picked up a few strays here lately that fit that description.”

We both laugh, but it’s short lived when we hear Matteo enter the room, clearing his throat.

“Strays, Dolcezza?Do I know these men?Should I have a word with them?Or perhaps I should tell the boss of your dilemma and have him deal with it for you?”He taunts.The big ass.

“What dilemma are we discussing?”Vincenzo slides past Matteo into the room forcing us both to jump at the sound of his voice.

“Jesus!Where a bell for fuck’s sake!Stop sneaking around all the damn time.”I snap.

“It’s hardly sneaking when I own the home.”

“Dolcezza, do we need to have another discussion about swearing?”Matteo gives me his stern glare.

“If I’d known you were eaves dropping…”

“She still would have said it.”Hawk says making his way into the room.

How the hell?

My heart rate picks up and I find myself rooted to the floor.

I thought I imagined him.I saw him, smelled his jacket, but I thought it was all a hallucination.Why would he have been there?And with that bitch agent?

“Hmm.Seems you’re not too happy to see our guest, Miss Jenkins.”Vincenzo announces.“I thought you would be happy to seeyour manalive after everything that happened last night.”

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