Page 81 of Hawk's Sapphire

“I just came from checking on Sergio.He wanted me to make sure you kept up with your training.He doesn’t want you slacking off just because he’s not here to crack the whip,” she teases.I smile because it sounds like something he would say.

“How is he?”I ask, as we take our stances on the mats.“I heard he was in pretty bad shape.”

Asha lunges at me, gripping my wrist and pulling me forward.I reach for her wrist with my opposite hand, putting pressure where it’s needed, and force her release.It’s a simple move we’ve practiced a thousand times.One we usually warm up with because it’s the easiest and most common in a snatch-n-grab situation.Sergio made me watch thousands of YouTube videos about each escape method we trained on.He wanted me to see the same moves in various situations, observing the attack from multiple angles and not just as a victim in the situation.It helped me to read patterns of behaviors and heightened my expectations.It also helped to ingrain his rules for being aware of my environment.

“He’s doing fairly well.He’s refusing pain meds and giving the staff hell, but that’s nothing new.”Asha shrugs with a smile.“Someone bested him.I think it’s more about his bruised ego than his stab wound at this point.”

“A coward attacked him.He wasn’t bested,” I argue.“It’s not about ego.It’s about his need for vengeance.Sergio would accept defeat if he was bested in a fair fight.”I smile wickedly.“Only a coward would use chloroform and stab a man in the back.”

We run through several escape moves and evasive measures.My heart rate is pumping, and my muscles are aching in a good way.I gesture for a time out and reach for my water bottle.I finish my drink and as I’m setting the bottle back down, Asha attacks me from behind, placing me in a rear naked choke.My body reacts on muscle memory, dropping to my knees and maneuvering to step behind her legs to flip Asha and get myself out of the hold.Only as I step to the side, her hold loosens, and I feel a sharp prick in my neck.

What the hell?

Asha releases me completely, and I drop to the floor on my knees.My head suddenly feeling dizzy and my limbs getting heavier by the second.

“What the hell did you do to me?”I turn, watching as Asha’s face begins to blur in and out.The edges of my eyesight slowly closing into black.

“Just a little insurance.I wasn’t sure how I was going to get you out of here.If you’d been sitting at your desk, this would’ve been a challenge.Finding you in the gym, working out and so willing to push yourself.”She smiles maliciously.“You gave me the gift I needed to pull off my plans.Your accelerated heart rate is forcing the medication to take effect much faster than normal, which will make it easier to make our escape.”She looks at her watch.“Perfect timing, actually.Mr.Cusenza will be expecting us to arrive shortly.”

I want to ask her more questions.To keep her talking.But my brain is fuzzy.There’s a rushing sound of water in my ears, and before I know it, the blackness takes me under.

34

HAWK

We arrive at The Mansion, and from the outside, it fits the name perfectly.It’s a large expanse of a building with several floors and acres of land surrounding it.We park underground and take the elevator up to the first floor.Matteo doesn’t discuss what’s on the lower levels, but I have my suspicions.

The elevator doors open to a lobby area, where we’re greeted by a beautiful blonde in a tight-fitting black dress with a plunge neck and a hem that cuts off just below her ass.She’s pretty, but she does nothing for me.

“Mr.Parisi,” she greets Vincenzo first with her hand lightly touching his shoulder.“It’s so good to see you too, Mr.Parisi.”This time she verbally addresses Matteo, but her eyes are on me.“Mr.Venatti is waiting for you in the back office.Do you know the way, or would you like an escort?”

“No.Thank-you,” Vincenzo says curtly, removing her hand from his body with a look of disdain.

Either the woman doesn’t see his reaction or doesn’t fucking care.She smiles suggestively, licking her lips as she looks me up and down.“Perhaps your friend would like a tour,” she offers.

“We’re here to see Marcello on business.”Matteo grunts.“Perhaps after we’re done, you can assist my friend here with his membership papers.”

What’s he doing?Offering me up on a platter to this bitch?

Her eyes widen and sparkle with excitement.Any other time I’d be all over an opportunity like this, ready to let her teach me the ropes, but somehow the way she’s flirting with me irritates me.It feels …disrespectful.

“I’m sure I can find my way around on my own.Or perhaps I’ll bring my woman in, and she can show me around since she’s already a member,” I reply.

“Mr.Hawkins has a submissive, Miss Marks,” Vincenzo informs the hostess, who drops her eyes to the floor, looking contrite.

“My apologies, Sir.”Her voice is soft, but reverent.“I meant no disrespect.If you and your lady find that you need anything, please feel free to ask.The staff would be more than happy to serve you.”

Matteo chuckles as we walk past, making our way through the club to the office.I scan each room briefly as we pass, taking in what little I can of each scene.Women are in various outfits.One with her breasts on display.The top of her dress is gathered around her midsection while sitting on her partner’s lap, seemingly uncaring that the people at their table are staring at her nakedness.

Another woman is sprawled out on a bench, her ass bared and red as she takes a whipping with a cane while onlookers watch, enthralled.Several couples throughout the club are obviously fucking each other out in the open, while others are packed away in secluded corners.

It’s like a club party, only fancier.They offer a few more implements and locations than I have at the clubhouse, but that can all be adjusted.

I make a mental note to find out what Sadie likes.What intrigues her about this place?Is it the exhibitionism she craves, or maybe she wants to be the one of the voyeurs?Somehow that doesn’t sound like Sadie to me, but she did say I don’t know her, so maybe?

You wouldn’t let anyone see her like this even if she did like it.

My inner-Hawk has a fair point.She’s fuckingmine.But I might let herwatchsomeone elsegetting fucked.

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