Page 73 of Hawk's Sapphire

“I expect you to make an example out of every last one of them.No one fucks with the Kings, and we take care of our own.”I recite the words I’ve heard repeated so many times over the years that it’s become my own personal mantra.Even if I’m not really a King, I stand by their mantra.

“Hawk.Do what you’ve got to do, then send whatever we need over to Ghost and Declan.I expect you and your woman home as soon as this shit is settled,” Gabe says.I can’t help the gasp that sneaks past my lips.

Gabe called me Hawk’s woman.What the hell does that mean?Did he tell the club he claimed me?

Hawk steps closer, placing his hand on my cheek, holding eye contact with me as he tells Gabe, “I plan on it, Pres.”

The phone clicks off and Hawk tosses it onto the bed.I take a step back, trying to make space between us again because I know if I let him get too close—if I let him touch me the way I’ve been longing for—I won’t be able to think straight.I’ll melt, and then, when all is said and done, I’ll be left with even less of my heart intact.

“Sapphire.”His voice is firm, more so than I’ve ever heard it before.“Stop.”My feet stop, rooting me in place.“We need to talk about a few things, and I want you to be completely honest with me.Understand?”

“Depends on what you want to know.And why did Gabe call me your woman?”He shakes his head, stepping closer, invading my space and making it hard to breathe.

“Because you are, and now you’re going to tell meeverythingI want to know.From this moment on we have no secrets between us.No walls.You got me?”

Holy shit.That low gravely tone and the command it carries is doing a number on my insides.My clit is throbbing just from his voice alone.

You’re fucked.Or you will be.

No.I can’t give in so easily.While my body may cry out for his caress, to know the feeling of his touch against my skin, I can’t give in.My heart races at the very thought of what I know Hawk could do to me.But my anger pushes past my need and reminds me of how badly his words have hurt me.How he sent me away when I needed him to hear me out.To believe me and trust that I would never put myself above my family.Questioning my loyalty wasn't enough for him; he went so far as to deny its existence.He can’t just walk back into my life and expect me to submit to his charm and his demands.He hasn’t earned my submission.

“You need to step back,” I demand, but the stubborn ass only leans in closer.When he reaches up to place his hand on my cheek again, I grab his wrist and twist it away from me, making him pull back with a hiss.

“The fuck, Sadie?”His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare.Then the bastard smirks.

Oh shit.

“You want to fight?Fine.We’ll fight.But just know, you’re earning yourself one hell of a spanking.Lying to me.Moving in with another man.Parading around with that man, pretending to be his.Willingly putting yourself in danger.Denying me what we both know ismine.”His threats—no,promises—make my insides burn with fire.I know he means every word, and if I wasn’t in my right mind, I would let him punish me for each offense, happily.

“You’re mad.I get it.If you need to fight me to get it out of your system, then we’ll spar it out.But what I won’t do is pretend we don’t belong together.That you aren’t the other half of my soul.”

Don’t cave.Don’t give into him.He’s good with words.Charms everything with two legs and tits.I mentally remind myself to bolster my resolve.

I don’t respond to his claims of our being soulmates.“I told you to step back.You were warned and ignored me.Seems to be a pattern with you, Hawk.”I keep my expression hard and my lips pursed.If Hawk sees any sign of how much I truly want him, he’ll ignore my anger and excuse away the pain he’s caused, then turn me into a pile of mush as he has his way with me.As desperate as I am to have him claim me again, I already know the aftermath would leave me in tatters and completely vulnerable.

“You’ve learned some new tricks, I see,” Hawk says, amused.

“Matteo’s taught me a lot of things in your absence.”Jealousy flashes in Hawk’s eyes, and I find I enjoy poking the bear a little too much.“He took me places I’ve never been before.Helped me discover what I truly need in my life.All my wants and desires have become very clear.And sadly, you can’t fulfill them for me anymore.”

“Matteo told me you discovered some new kinks at the club in Dallas.I’m excited to learn more about what turns you on and gets you off.I’m prepared to take my time and uncover everything you’ve learned and maybe teach you a few new things.If you don’t want to role play, that’s fine by me.And for the record, I would never attempt a threesome with you,” he says angrily.“When it comes to you, I’m too fucking possessive to share.But make no mistake, Sapphire.I am the man who will give you exactly what you need.Just like you’re the only woman who has ever been able to give me what I need.I was just too blind and stupid to do anything about it before.But I have a clear sight and a level head now, baby.”His eyes sparkle with mischief, but there’s something in his tone that says he’s deadly fucking serious.Hawk takes another step forward, tilting his head, moving slower, more cautious this time.

“How can you give me what I need when you don’t even know me?”It pains me to say it, but the harsh reality is—it’s true.Hawk would take advantage of the control I’d want to give him, that Ineedto give him.His idea of submission would mean I have to completely squash who I am.I can’t do that.Won’t do it.

He moves in closer, reaching his hand up.Only when I move to strike, he’s ready this time.With his other hand, he grips my wrist and squeezes the pressure point, causing me to release him.But I don’t stop fighting.

I step back, and he follows me.He changes his grip on my wrist and pulls me close, bringing us chest-to-chest.I smile and slam my head into his nose.He releases me, stepping back to wipe his nose.I didn’t hit him hard enough for it to break, but he wipes away a small trickle of blood from his face.It’s oddly satisfying to see.

“Maybe you should learn to heed warnings when they’re given,” I tease.“It might prevent me from fucking up that pretty face.”

30

HAWK

Oh, the little shit.

“You want to play a game of fuck-around-and-find-out?Then that’s what we’ll do, but remember you asked for this, baby.”

Sadie wants to go toe-to-toe—to fight me—cause me pain for hurting her.I don’t blame her.“I deserve your wrath, but I have a better way to settle this thing between us.One that will settle us both down and bring us hours of euphoric pleasure.”

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