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26

HAWK

I watch, seething with anger as Sadie follows Matteo’s instructions seamlessly, never bucking at his demands or questioning who he thinks he is. No, she just obeys him, and it’s pissing me the hell off.

“Well, Mr. Hawkins, that was quite the clusterfuck if I’ve ever seen one.” Vincenzo chuckles. “Watching a woman so passionate and full of anger is invigorating, is it not?” He takes a seat in the plush chair across the room, lighting up a cigarette and crossing his ankle over his knee.

“She’s crazy and reckless, and …” I start, only to be cut off.

“She’s a woman who loves fiercely. Willing to sacrifice everything-her home, her family, their trust, even her life if that’s what the situation calls for-all for the safety and happiness of the people she cares about most in this world. She risked breaking her own heart to spare you pain. She put herself on display, broke past her own stubbornness and comfort zone, in hopes of gaining a bidder at the auction who could lead her to your sister and us to the people responsible for the trafficking ring. Never once did she ask me for anything for herself. Instead, our contract was for the health and safety of your sister and of course, preventing the club from going to war.”

“What?”

Vincenzo shrugs, blowing out smoke. “She knew if the club discovered who was holding Shea or where she was being held, not to mention Sadie having offered herself on a platter to the traffickers, Gabriel and his men would come in on their metal horses so to speak, with intentions of killing anyone who dared harm the two women in question. Thus, forcing Cusenza to call in the Devils and causing the two clubs to in fact go to war. And since Gabriel has spent his life trying to keep the Kings out of war and from enduring unnecessary loss of life, Sadie felt it pertinent to keep up the tradition.”

“You condone what she’s done? You’d let your woman do something as careless as throwing herself to the wolves for the slaughter?” I ask, not believing for a second that if the tables were reversed and he was in my shoes with his woman putting her ass on the line that he’d be this calm. Not a fucking chance in hell.

Vincenzo smirks again. “My woman would have no reason to feel she needs to prove herself or her loyalty to me.”

“Well, if Sadie hadn’t pulled this kind of selfish, irresponsible shit numerous times over the years—and let’s not forget the most recent transgression of smuggling a traitor into the basement of the clubhouse—one who happened to be working for you, at the time. She might not feel the need to prove her loyalty to me or the club either.” Even after I say the words, I know they’re wrong. Everything Sadie has done, though it wasn’t condoned by the club, it was out of loyalty and service to others in need. It’s what we would’ve done in her shoes.

My chest tightens a little with that realization.

“Sadie is not a brother. Therefore, she should not be held to the same rules or guidelines as you.” Vincenzo chides. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but women, not the whores you all sleep around with, but the women who were born into the club or who you call your ol’ ladies, they’re meant to be cherished by the Kings. Your behavior toward Miss Jenkins says otherwise and we both know it’s bullshit.”

“Has she done things to endanger herself? Yes. Are they things you yourself or your brothers would do in the same situations? Again, yes. But ask yourself this question too, has Sadie ever really done anything that would harm the club or the members of her family without seeking help or a having a back-up plan? That answer, my friend, is no. It’s also why she came to me.” He leans back, arrogance coming off him in waves.

“She saw an advantageous partnership, and someone who could help her achieve her goals of finding your sister while shutting down these primitive assholes who feel they can buy and sell humans for their own pleasures and advantage. She also knew she could trust me to keep my word and keep her family safe from any backlash for her actions.”

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

“I already have.” He looks to Matteo, then back to me. “Nate’s death was orchestrated by me. I knew it would draw the Feds in, which would mean Garbiel would have to order everyone to be on their best behavior for a time, allowing Sadie to come with Matteo so they could begin working on the problem together.”

“And the three dead Devils and Drea? Was that you too?” I ask, suddenly beginning to see the tapestry of Vincenzo’s plans put together.

“That was Kayce and his men.” He shrugs. “I allowed it.” He says it so nonchalant, like he didn’t just frame the fucking club who is supposedly friends with.

“So, it was you who framed me? Had someone break into my mother’s home and steal my gun? You know I should kill you for scaring my mother and causing her unnecessary worry.” I threaten.

Again, the smug bastard shrugs. “You should, but you won’t.”

“And why is that?” I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. My anger so strong, I’m now vibrating with it.

“Because if I hadn’t allowed it, you wouldn’t be here now.” He looks to Matteo, who decides it’s his turn to jump into the conversation.

“You would’ve ordered Matteo to shoot me f\or real?” I taunt.

“No. But only because I promised Sadie to keep the club members alive, including you. You should thank her for my generosity.”

Asshole!

“Trident killed those people, because they were dealing in our shared territory and the whore was spilling all your club’s secrets. At least what she claimed to know, which wasn’t much.” Matteo answers, leaning his back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest matching my stance. “Kayce took your gun from your mother’s home when she wasn’t there and left no trace or B&E so as not to scare her. He wasn’t there for anything but the gun, which he then placed in the vicinity of the crime scene giving the boss the leverage he needed to get you to agree to his plan.”

“So, you blackmailed me into doing your bidding?” The words come out sarcastic, and probably disrespectful.

Good. Fucker doesn’t deserve my respect for what he’s done.

“And if I hadn’t agreed? If I hadn’t talked Agent Galina into helping me with this fucked-up plan, then what?” I ask throwing my hands into the air.

“You would’ve gone to jail temporarily. Kayce assured me you wouldn’t be detained long. Ms. Asher would have been given the proper evidence to have you out in a few days at most.”

“A few…You were going to let them arrest me for four murders and somehow thought you would magically erase the evidence?” I shout. “Who the fuck do you think you are, the fucking wizard of Oz? You’re just going to wave your hand and put up some crazy-ass smoke screen and pull some strings behind the curtain and shit will just magically disappear? Life doesn’t work that way!”

“Life works the way I want it to work, Mr. Hawkins. I won’t remind you again to maintain some level of respect while speaking to me. I understand you’re upset and confused, but I’ve run out of patience in that regard.” Vincenzo narrows his eyes. His threat is made clear as Matteo comes to a full stand, dropping his arms at his sides.

I may still be in some pain, but I’d welcome the fight at the moment. I could stand to get rid of some pent-up energy and rage.

“To answer your question, and this is as far as I’ll take it for now,” He starts. “These people, the Devils, Cusenza and whoever is pulling his strings and writing his checks, their operation is ironclad and extensively run. Our assumptions were confirmed when Carter was captured and taken to the transition home for a supposed foster care placement. It took Sadie some time to figure out the transition homes were how the Devils were acquiring children for their clientele with specific pedophiliac urges.”

“It took us a while to discover there had to be people like Agent Galina and Sherrif Swanson who were feeding information and playing both sides in order for things to have been running this long. Police officers, feds, lawyers, judges, Uber drivers, dock workers, the list goes on and on with the people we’ve found affiliated with this operation.”

“Nate knew about Galina being a double agent of sorts and led us to her. He believed she knew where the devils were keeping his daughter Shea. It was the only reason he even bothered to play the part of the snitch. Only he wasn’t snitching for the Feds.” He smiles.

“He was snitching to you.” He nods at my assumption. “Nate thought if he fed Galina information about the stolen shipments and anyone not doing their part among the operation, Galina would keep his daughter alive.” I presume.

“Something like that, yes. Although, Nate was unable to determine whether Galina actually did know where Shea is or who is currently holding her captive.” Vincenzo confirms. “Galina was working for Cusenza same as the Devils. Anything she learned from her position as a fed, she passed along to him so he could then tighten up his operation.”

“And she came upon me, how?” I ask. “You said Nate kept me a secret. So how did she learn about me all of the sudden?”

“Nate came to me for help. He knew the Devils would never give his daughter back and with the Feds working against him as well, he turned to me. You weren’t supposed to be a part of the agreement.” Vincenzo says. “Originally, I had no plans of turning Nate over to Gabriel, but then the situation with Violet and Emelia required a show of good faith. Unfortunately, it also came with consequences.” Vincenzo elaborates.

“I needed Thomas. So, I gave Gabriel Nate in an exchange of sorts. Thomas needed closure and for Sadie to hear the truth about Nate’s betrayal in hopes it would mend at least part of their relationship. Sadie wanted to spare you the torment that killing your father may have caused you, though I myself doubt you would’ve had any issues. Nonetheless, she was still concerned and made it one part of her deal with me. Kayce needed the federal agent to be proven guilty so he could get her off his trail while he continues to intercept shipments of people around the world. It was a win all around up until last night.”

“How did things get so fucked last night? And why was I shot and sliced anyway? No one ever answered that earlier,” I inquire. Matteo looks to Vincenzo, as if to ask permission before answering.

Vincenzo gives his consent with a curt nod.

“You know Sergio was attacked. Doc stitched him up last night when we arrived. He’s in the other wing, resting.” He starts, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I had six men stationed at the party last night. A woman approached our table, Clarissa Rothchild. We were in conversation when Sergio brought our drinks over. Anyway, Sadie excused herself to the restroom with Sergio as her guard. I didn’t know anything else was wrong until I saw you escorting her through the crowd in her undergarments. Then Agent Galina approached making a scene, acting like a jealous, jilted lover. I was going to ignore her outburst and just collect Sadie from you-scolding her in front of the crowd for getting do drunk-then leave without adding to the already awkward scenario. But when Sadie announced Galina was a cop, the first shots rang out. Galina was shot in the head, and in order to keep you alive, I shot you twice in the chest, then sliced your arm to produce blood on the ground and keep people from being too nosy. You hit your head on the ground pretty hard, but I pushed a small amount of Fentanyl into your system and then ordered my men to drag you and Galina out of the building.”

“But who shot Galina if it wasn’t you?” I ask, confused.

“I’m not sure. Someone who didn’t want us to grab her for questioning would be my guess. I shot you so it would appear as if you’d disrespected me and tried to take my sub without paying for her time.” I growl at that. Sadie is no one’s whore, and to know people in that room thought of her as one makes me feel like going back and setting the whole fucking place a blaze.

“It needed to look like a lovers quarrel and a business deal gone wrong.” Vincenzo adds. “Whoever shot Galina now owes Matteo a favor. They know he didn’t kill her, but he removed her body and disposed of the evidence.”

“And you think this person will come forward, why? I don’t buy it. If the mess is cleaned up and the person responsible is not known, why come forward? What’s the point?” I speak the words out loud but not because I expect them to know, I just need to hear them out loud to process everything.

“Because someone there wanted Sadie.” Matteo says. “We think the person who planned to make a play for her, saw you helping her from the bathroom and thought you were swooping in on their play. When Galina made her scene, it presented the person with the perfect opportunity to shoot her, in hopes you’d move to help your supposed woman granting someone else the opportunity to come to Sadie’s aid and steal her away.”

“Someone offered to buy Sadie at the auction?”

I want a name.

“No, but they never would’ve let my men into the auction without invitations, unless someone made a substantial offer for her. They allowed me to bring my men to ensure I would bring Sadie.” Matteo explains.

“So now what? Obviously, the plan went to shit, so why are me and Sadie still here?”

“Because your jobs here are not yet finished. Your contracts, if you will, are not fulfilled. I need you, Sadie, and your computer skills to infiltrate the compound where we believe these women are being held before they are picked up by their potential buyers.”

“Fuck.” I grumble. “Do you know where his place is? Who runs it?”

“Not yet, but I’m certain now that they know you’re no longer in their way since you’re allegedly dead, they’ll reach out to Matteo soon enough.” Vincenzo supplies. “In the meantime, fix whatever this is between you and Sadie so you two can work together peacefully. Otherwise, step aside and let Matteo to handle her as he’s become accustomed to as of late.”

“Fix it? What would you do, pray tell, if she was your woman?”

An elderly woman comes into the room carrying a silver ashtray. With a scornful look she places it down on the side table near Vincenzo. “I shouldn’t have to chase you with an ashtray. We don’t need the foul smell in every room of the house.”

Vincenzo smiles and nods to the woman. “My apologies, Marta. As always, you’re a step ahead. Thank-you.”

“Put it out and take your conversation to your office where you can stink it up all you like. Leave the poor girl’s room alone. I’ll have to come in and diffuse the scent and clean her linens as it is, so she doesn’t have to smell it when she sleeps.” She shuffles out, passing a chuckling Matteo as she goes. She stops beside me, looking me over then with a haughty huff storms out of the room.

“Even Marta thinks you’re an idiot.” Matteo teases. “And she usually tolerates anyone.”

“Back to your question.” Vincenzo crushes the cigarette into the ashtray and carries it toward the door. Looking over his shoulder he says, “First, I would see the beauty of a woman so brilliant and fierce she’s willing to not only go toe-to-toe with you, but with anyone who stands against you, and I would cherish it. Then, I’d figure out just how badly I’ve misjudged and fucked up and fix it.” He pauses, tilting his head. “A woman like Sadie is a hard gem to find. Not only is her love and loyalty rare, but it’s also unparalleled. Meaning you won’t find another one like her in this world willing to put up with your bullshit the way she has.”

“A simple apology isn’t going to be enough. Sadie is a strong-willed woman. It’s going to take more than words to convince her how I feel.” I admit. “How do I go about breaking down those walls between us?”

“Fuck her senseless and then apologize. A woman is more agreeable when she’s sated.” The arrogant assholes similes, then walks away.