Page 93 of Hawk's Sapphire

It’s her subtle way of telling me she’s with me and not really as pissed as she’s putting on.I know my woman.She’s going to hold her shit together because it’s what Nora needs her to do.She walks past me, giving my shoulder a squeeze.

We book it out of the building.I keep Nora’s head pinned into my chest while Sadie continues to speak reassuringly to her.Reminding her to keep her eyes closed and telling her we’re almost there.

Once we reach the outside, Nazario and Enzo join us.

“Who’s this?”Enzo asks, tilting his head toward Nora.“Your lady, I know.But who’s the kid?”

Nora whimpers and it’s Sadie who answers, and not so kindly.“Her name is Nora.Now mind your fucking business and get us home.She needs medical attention and I’m fucking over this place.I want to go home.”She looks at me when she says the last part.I nod, knowing exactly what she means because I want to get back to Oakridge among my brothers and put all this shit behind us.

Enzo leads us to the chopper and gently—more gently than I’ve seen him do anything—buckles Nora into her seat, placing a headset over her ears.He puts his on and tells her, “If you get scared, you squeeze my hand as hard as you need to.It’s a short flight.Then when we get on the ground, we’ll help you find your family.”

Who knew the scary fucker with a taste for blood could be so …sweet?

Sadie climbs in next to me and takes Enzo’s advice, squeezing the hell out of my hand.I drape my arm over her shoulders, cradling her to my chest.We don’t speak.There’s no need to say anything now.I’m sure when we get somewhere away from all the chaos, she’s going to crash.Maybe lose her shit a little.Sadie’s never killed anyone before, and from the looks of all the blood, Eleanor may not have been the only person Sadie encountered in her escape.

We’ve halfway to the harbor when a loud rumble and the sounds of multiple explosions sound in the distance.The sky fills with smoke and flames.We don’t bother to look back.We all know what happened and who hit the detonator.What I don’t know is who died on that island and who made it out.I’m going to need confirmation that Cusenza is fucking dead, and so will Sadie so she can sleep at night.

Sadie leans up, nudging me.“We didn’t find Shea,” she says, her eyes full of tears and disappointment.Maybe even guilt.

“It’s okay, baby.She’s safe.Matteo and the brothers found her on the docks.They’re going to meet us when we land.”

She nods, then lays her head back down on my chest.

I don’t know what the next few days will bring, but I do know Sadie won’t be moving too far from this spot in my arms for a long fucking time.

39

SADIE

I don’t know exactly what happened after we left the island.I know we landed at the harbor and Nora, Hawk, and I were all taken back to Vincenzo’s jet, then brought back to Matteo’s.The entire flight is a blur.

When we arrived at the penthouse, Sergio was waiting for us.He still looks like shit, but apparently when he heard Asha had kidnapped me and shit went sideways on the island, he caused a big enough scene that he got himself released and sent home under Vincenzo’s doctor’s care.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Emelia greets Nora first, though I don’t miss the way she scans over my blood covered clothes.When I shake my head, she returns her focus to Nora.“Are you hungry?Would you like something to eat?”

Nora, who is tightly gripping my hand, looks to me with apprehension.“Go with Emelia.She’s my friend.She’ll get you something to eat and Sergio will stay with you to insure you’re safe while I go get changed.”Nora’s eyes go wide as she looks from him to me.Squatting down so Nora is taller than me, I whisper softly, though still loud enough for Sergio to hear me, “Sergio looks mean, but it’s only because he’s in pain.He’s also my friend.He was hurt trying to protect me from the bad men.I promise he won’t let anyone bother you or make you do anything you don’t want to do.He’s kind of a big softy, but don’t tell him I told you.”Nora gives me a soft smile and nods.

I’ve yet to get her to speak, but Hawk assured me they were doing everything to find her family and get her home where she’ll receive the best care money can buy—courtesy of a very large, brooding Italian boss.I’m pretty sure Emelia had something to do with that decision, but I’m not going to question it.This little girl has been through hell and deserves all the love and protection we can give her.

“Come, little one.”Sergio reaches his hand out but doesn’t move any closer, allowing Nora to make the decision to come to him and trust him.My heart swells when she looks to Hawk for his approval, too.He gives a curt nod then tells her, “I’ll be right here.I’m going to help take care of Sadie, but I won’t be far.If you need me or Sadie, you let Emelia know, and she’ll come get us right away.Okay?”Nora nods, then takes Emelia’s hand in her own before hesitantly gripping Sergio’s.

Emelia smiles, then chats away about all the snacks Marta has packed away in the kitchen, asking what Nora would like and telling her all about the men in suits who are all really big pushovers for pretty girls.I smile when I hear Nora’s tiny giggle.

“Come on, baby.Let’s go get you cleaned up,” Hawk says in my ear.Once we’re alone in my room, it’s like the world stops.My shoulders sag.Tears run freely down my face.My body starts to give out, but Nathaniel is there to catch me.He scoops me up in his arms and carries me into the bathroom, setting me on the counter while he runs the bath water and gathers up everything I’ll need.I don’t move—I can’t.

Rooted in place, I watch as he strips off his clothes and checks the water’s temperature.Once he’s satisfied with that, he comes to stand before me.

“Arms up, baby.”He pulls the blood-stained scrub top over my head, growling when he sees the bruises left by the asshole doctor and I would imagine Cusenza as well.I don’t feel them.I don’t feel anything.Just numb.

Nathaniel reaches behind me, sliding me forward and off the counter as he slowly pushes my pants down over my ass.They hit the floor, and I’m scooped up into his arms again as he carries me to the tub and gently sets me down into the hot water.

“Scoot up, Sapphire.I’m going to get in with you.”I do as he says and curl my arms around my legs, settling my head on top of my knees.Nathaniel settles into the water then begins washing my back, my shoulders, and down my arms.

“Lean back.Let me take care of you.”

I don’t argue.I don’t speak at all as he continues to wash every inch of my body, taking special care not to linger in any one place too long.He uses a cup to pour water over my head, then lavishes my hair with shampoo.He just as gently rinses the soap out, then twists the water from the ends.

Once he’s satisfied that I’m clean enough, he reaches his arms around my waist and holds me to him.I let my head fall back onto his shoulder and close my eyes as the weight of everything that’s happened finally hits me.Nathaniel doesn’t shush me or tell me it’s okay, he just holds me and lets mebe.

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