Page 70 of Sapphire's Gem
“Let’s not play this game, Captain. Just answer my questions,” I replied.
Hatton raised an eyebrow and settled in to wait me out.
“Please,” I ground out.
“Detectives Wylde and Cassidy were responding to a routine call. Usually, a uniform would have taken it, but they were close and offered to take it. We’re unsure whether they walked into an ambush or disturbed a meeting. Wylde called in saying they were taking fire, and then he called in with a ten thirty-four saying Cassidy was down.”
“But Wylde is the most seriously injured.”
Hatton ran a hand over his face. “Yeah. He threw his body over Cassidy and took the bullets. We believe Wylde downed four of the perps, killing three, and uniforms killed a fifth as he attempted to flee.”
“Any news on Wylde?” I asked softly.
Hatton held my eyes. “You told him to take a hike.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Hayden Wylde is the most decent man I know. He can’t be corrupted. That guy fought for his country and still does by being a cop. He deserves someone who can accept who and what he is. That isn’t you.”
“Maybe not, but he chose me,” I retorted.
“You hurt him by cutting him out the other day. Let me tell you something, Sapphire. If Wylde catches you or yours dead to rights in a crime, he will bring you in. That’s the man he is, but he wouldn’t stop caring about you because he arrested you. And if you really care for him, think about the position you’ll put him in.”
I cocked an eyebrow, and Hatton smiled grimly.
“Wylde’s a clean cop; nobody doubts that—yet. I stress yet. If he lets you girls slide on something, it will eat him. He arrests you for something, it will eat him. Wylde can’t win either way. And you’ll blame him for arresting your club, or you’ll look at him as weak. Honestly, I wish he’d walk away from you all, but he’s hooked.”
I pondered his words. What Hatton said hurt, because I did like Wylde—a lot. Could I make Wylde walk away? Undoubtably. Did I want to? No, and that was the shitty mess I found myself in. My club was illegal; there was no doubt about it. Sure, some of our shit we could legitimise, the underground casino, for example. But smuggling, money laundering, and hiring assassins—none of that would ever be legal.
They made us money, and my sisters and I liked money. I didn’t see why they should have to go without so that I could have a man. There was also the fact that we liked to torture the assholes who thought they were better than us. And the fact that none of us had any qualms about killing. How could I keep Wylde from finding out about all that?
“He’s going to survive?” I demanded, shoving everything aside. For now, there was a more important matter.
Hatton ran a hand over his face. “He was flatlined when he was brought in, Sapphire. I can’t answer that. It doesn’t look good.” Hatton’s face showed empathy and sorrow.
“You knew him from the army.”
“I did.”
“Wylde will fight. My sisters, Stitch and Vengeance, will stay here while I do some work,” I said.
Hatton snorted and stepped closer to me. He bent his head and murmured in my ear. “This is what I meant. You’re going hunting and looking for his attackers. You’ll find them and deal with them. Personally, Sapphire, I hope you make them fuckin’ scream. But knowing the man Wylde is, he’d want them brought in.”
“We’ll disagree on that. Because I know how much he values family, and Cassidy is his brother in all but blood,” I whispered back.
“Happy hunting, Sapphire. Think of what I said.”
Hatton stepped away, and I saw the entrance doors open. Warrick Cassidy entered looking wrecked. He wore a PFD tee, and I guessed he’d been on shift. Hatton moved over to him and took his shoulder firmly as he spoke in low tones to the man. Before my eyes, Warrick’s face crumpled, and resolve grew. I was going to find those assholes.
I slipped away as I saw Pops and Gramma rushing through the door. Somehow, I didn’t expect Wylde’s parents, and I wasn’t surprised not to see them. Hatton and Warrick turned to them, and Warrick embraced Gramma as she cried on his shoulders. The blue sea surrounded them, offering comfort and support. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I turned and slunk away.
Stitch and Vengeance were waiting outside. Stitch looked at me, and whatever she saw on her face made her wince.
“Save them.”
“I will,” Stitch promised.
“Cover her and get her out of here when it’s done,” I said to Vengeance.
