Chapter Sixteen
Tank
Today had been an emotional roller coaster for Sapphire. He could see it written all over her face, in the way she walked, and the slight slump of her shoulders. Sapphire was completely exhausted. Since their first time together, Tank had wanted to be back inside of her, but tonight wasn’t the night. Tonight, he would simple pull her close and make sure she knew that she wasn’t alone.
“Sapphire.” They both turned toward the sound of her name.
“Hey sweetheart,” Sapphire said to Scarlet as she approached.
“Hey,” Scarlet answered, hugging Sapphire’s neck. “I just wanted to check on you before you turned in for the night.”
“I’m okay,” Sapphire sighed. “Just tired.”
“I’m sure,” Scarlet replied, then turned to Tank. “Did you tell her about Sable’s comment?”
Tank could have kicked her. He wanted to avoid this. After talking to Reaper, he didn’t want to add any more stress onto Sapphire’s shoulders.
“No,” Tank said, hoping his eyes replied to Scarlet to shut up.
“What comment?” Sapphire asked, looking between them.
“Nothing,” Tank replied simultaneously as Scarlet said, “About your time at that camp.”
“What the hell did she say?” Sapphire questioned.
Tank and Scarlet both looked at each other. Tank could feel the anxiety pouring off of Scarlet in waves.
“I said,” Sapphire repeated. “What did she say?”
Taking a deep breath, Tank tried to steer the conversation toward a quick end, but Sapphire put a stop to it before a single word ever left his mouth.
“Listen closely,” she said, invading his space. “If you dare lie to me, you can turn your ass around and go sleep elsewhere. The quickest way to piss me off is not telling me the truth. I don’t have the time, patience, or energy to deal with that bullshit right now.”
“And that is exactly why we are not going to have this conversation tonight,” Tank replied.
“Wrong,” Sapphire argued. “See you don’t get it. You, don’t get to decide what I can handle. That’s my job. And let me tell you, these shoulders can carry the weight of the world without a single complaint. So, spill — now!”
Tank released a deep, low growl. He hated this. No matter what she said, he knew she was nearing the end of her rope. And knowing the comments Sable spouted, that would be just what was needed to push her over the edge.
“Sapphire, please,” Tank tried.
“Scarlet?” Sapphire turned away from him, now completely ignoring him.
If he were honest, slapping him in the face probably would have hurt less. He was trying to protect her and she wasn’t having it.
“I was walking down the hall when I heard Sable ask him if he really thought he had a chance with you. And then when Tank tried to defend you,” Scarlet explained. “Sable went off about how it’s always ‘poor Sapphire’ and she brought up what happened when you were kidnapped.”
Tank turned just in time to see the blood drain from Sapphire’s face. Taking a step towards her, he was concerned she would pass out. But as always, he was wrong about her. One second she was ghostly white, then next her eye brightened with anger.
“That fucking bitch!” Sapphire spewed. “Where is she?’
“In her room,” Scarlet answered.
“Sapphire!” Tank called to her back. “Where are you going?”
“To handle my house.”
“Oh shit,” Scarlet whispered.
“Why the fuck would you tell her?” Tank demanded in a whisper as he quickly moved past Scarlet to follow Sapphire.
He couldn’t believe this shit. This was not how he expected the night to go. All he wanted was to take off his dirty clothes, grab a hot shower, and slide into a comfortable bed with Sapphire by his side.
But no... now, he was chasing her down the hallway like a damn puppy.
“Sapphire, wait.” Catching up to her, he reached for her hand to halt her movement.
Before he had time to realize what was going on, Sapphire had him pinned to the wall, but he wasn’t backing down — not this time. Quickly, he reversed their position.
With his forearm pressed across her breasts, he leaned in closely with his mouth next to her ear.
“Next time I call your name,” he whispered. “You better listen.”
“Get off of me,” Sapphire hissed.
“Not yet.”
“Tank.”
“Sapphire.”
“Get off.”
“No,” he licked the outside shell of her ear. “Are you listening now?”
“Get off.”
“No.”
A frustrated growl left Sapphire causing her breath to rush across his skin. For a split second, he almost caved. But this was too important. She needed to realize they were a team. It didn’t matter what Sable had said. The only thing that mattered was the two of them.
“Listen,” Tank growled. “I don’t give a flying fuck what Sable said. I don’t care if it’s true. I don’t care if she is a spiteful cunt. What I do care about is you. You have enough shit to deal with, without her causing trouble.”
“Which is why she is leaving my house,” Sapphire retorted. “Now.”
“Not now,” Tank replied. “Handle it tomorrow. Don’t go off all half-cocked. You’re hurt and pissed off.”
“I am not,” Sapphire interrupted.
“You are,” Tank countered. “I can see it in your eyes. Most people might not take the time to see the real you, but I do. I can read every emotion that passes over your beautiful face. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t read you like a book, by any means, but I do see you.”
“I want her out,” Sapphire demanded.
“Then tomorrow, you stand in front of every member in your house and you own your spot. Then, and only then, do you boot her ass out. Until then, you’re nothing more than a pissed-off sister throwing a temper tantrum.”
“I am not having a temper tantrum,” Sapphire said, pushing against his chest. “And get off of me.”
Stepping back a foot and releasing his hold Tank said, “To everyone else, it will look as if you are. Think about it, you go in there in the middle of the night yelling and screaming about her telling a secret — it will definitely look like a tantrum.”
Tank could see the fight drain from her face. A part of him hated to be the one to put out that fire, but another part knew she needed it. Sapphire needed someone to balance her. She might be fearless as fuck, but she needed someone in her life to steady her.
Man, I hope that person can be me.
Tank wanted to be her balance. From the first moment he saw her, he wanted, no needed her. And now it was obvious that she needed him, too.
“Let’s go to bed, baby,” Tank said, leaning his head against hers. “Tomorrow will be a different day.”
“Different day, same shit,” Sapphire mumbled turning back towards the bedroom.
As they neared Scarlet, Sapphire pulled her youngest sister into a hug.
“I’m sorry Steph,” Scarlet choked.
“Don’t be, sweetie,” Sapphire replied. “Go on to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
They stood in the hallway and watched until Scarlet opened the door to her room and then softly closed it behind her. Once Sapphire was satisfied that her sister was safe, she opened the door to her room and Tank followed her inside.