Page 99 of Sapphire's Gem
“Because you’re the man! The law!”
“I’m still human, Belladonna. I catch you guys dealing drugs or arms, I’ll arrest you. Some scumbags who are hurting innocent people, and they have been, nah, not really a loss to society. But you knew that, so I don’t get why you’re pushing the subject.”
“Because I can’t quite believe you exist. You’re a unicorn,” Belladonna stated.
“Oh, I’ve got a horn!” I retorted with humour.
Belladonna’s mouth dropped open before she roared with laughter and slapped my back. “Nice one, Hayden.”
“Thanks.” As if by magic, my eyes were drawn to a door through which Sapphire exited. She looked tired and pissed off. I could understand that. Her gaze flicked around the room, checking everyone was present and safe, before it landed on me.
She smiled and drifted over to me. I watched as she stopped and talked to her sisters. A soft hand was placed on Maverick’s shoulder as she murmured something to him. He grinned, and I realised I should feel some jealousy. He’d probably slept with her, and yet there was nothing because Sapphire was mine. Her love for me shone in her eyes even though she’d not said the words. Neither had I.
Romeo was the next guy she spoke to, and there was worry in her expression. Romeo had been knocked out, but he looked better than I expected. I glanced across at Stitch and noted she seemed a little pale. Yup, she’d been using her ability.
Sapphire finally made her way to me and sat on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her as she leaned her head on my chest.
“I love you,” I said, and her eyes snapped to mine, showing shock again.
“What?” she whispered as the entire room fell silent.
“I love you, Sapphire. And I’ll happily be your old man, but I’m going to put a ring on your finger, and we will get married. We’ll have kids too, and live a great life and grow old together. And one day, we’ll sit on the porch on a swing or rocking chairs and watch our grandchildren play. When that day comes, know I’ll love you as much as I do now.”
Several aws emerged from the peanut gallery. I didn’t pay attention; only Sapphire’s reaction mattered.
“Love you too,” Sapphire finally muttered.
I swooped and claimed her lips and kissed her hard. This woman was it for me. Whatever came our way wouldn’t break us, not even if I had to quit my job. I’d found my reason for living, and she was right in my lap.
Chapter Twenty-one.
Sapphire
The call came directly to the office phone. We were all choosy about who we gave our cell numbers to, and even though we were on the hunt, nobody handed out personal information randomly.
“You got Sapphire,” I answered.
“Hear you’re looking for some gang members who attacked your people?” a nasally male voice replied.
“Yeah.”
“Lady, I know where they are.”
“Where?”
“There’s a ten-k reward and a marker?”
“Yup. If the info isn’t good, be warned you’ll be next on the list,” I stated, finally placing the voice. It was a snitch Blade sometimes used, which made me wonder why he’d not rung her. I got my answer a few moments later.
“I might have pissed off a member of yours. Blade’s after my head. Call her off.”
“Lazarus, right? I’m not going to interfere if you’ve got problems with Blade. That’s not my decision.”
“Then I won’t help,” he snapped.
“Fine. We’ll hunt you down.”
Silence met my words, and I wondered if he’d hung up.
