Chapter Twenty-One
Sapphire
Sapphire’s skin was literally wanting to crawl off her body. Several times she had to remind herself that killing Chaz Montgomery in a crowded hotel filled with bikers was not a good idea. But honestly, Sapphire’s hand was itching to wrap around the gun strapped to the inside of her leg.
“Sapphire,” Chaz smiled. “How about a dance?”
The thought of his hands anywhere near her body caused her stomach to roll. Looking at Raven, her VP was urging her to stand and not fuck this up. Raven knew her brother was up to no good. Chaz had been making backdoor dirty deals for a while now and Sapphire and the Iron Angels were commissioned to figure out just how dirty his deeds were.
“Sure.” Sapphire smiled sweetly.
Moving onto the dance floor, Chaz pulled Sapphire close against him. Again, the urge to shoot him was strong.
“You look so beautiful today,” Chaz whispered in her ear.
“Thank you,” Sapphire answered, trying not to vomit.
“I am so happy that you accepted my invitation,” Chaz continued, oblivious to Sapphire’s discomfort.
“I haven’t been in so long,” Sapphire replied, grabbing at something to say. “I came once with my mother, several years ago when your father was still President of the Black Spades.”
“Ah yes,” Chaz said. “My father.”
If Sapphire didn’t know any better, there was hatred lacing his voice. There was a suspicion that Chaz was behind the death of Roman Montgomery, but no evidence was ever found.
Just another reason to shoot him.
As the song came to an end, Chaz placed his hand on Sapphire’s lower back and began to lead her back to the table, but didn’t get far.
“May I have the next dance?” Reaper asked.
“Of course,” Sapphire grinned.
She could feel the change come over Chaz as his hand pressed firmly into her back. She was about to tell Reaper she changed her mind, but he spoke before she had the chance.
“I promise to bring her back to you soon,” Reaper smiled at Chaz.
Reaching for Sapphire’s hand, he pulled her back onto the dance floor and moved her farther from Chaz’s view.
“Listen,” Reaper said quietly. “Be careful around him.”
“I know,” Sapphire replied.
“No, Stephanie,” Reaper implored. “Steph, be extremely careful. Something is going on. I don’t know what, but my gut tells me something is off with that guy.”
“I know,” Sapphire repeated.
“Stephanie.”
“Marcus,” Sapphire used his real name, finally getting his attention. “I said, I know.”
“You know?”
“Yes.”
“What do you know?”
“I can’t explain right now. After dinner, you and Sledge can come to my room. I’ll explain.”
“What have you gotten into?”
“I’ll explain later,” Sapphire chuckled.
Typical Reaper, always looking out for her, just like he did when they were kids.
“Don’t worry,” Sapphire smiled. “I’m safe.”
“Oh, I know you are,” Reaper agreed. “You have a man sitting at our table that is drinking himself stupid so he doesn’t walk across the room and rip Chaz’s head from his body.”
“What?” Sapphire asked, shocked by Reaper’s statements.
“Tank is ready to kill,” Reaper confirmed.
“That makes two of us,” Sapphire mumbled.
“I will tell you the same thing I told him,” Reaper chuckled. “No murders today. Save it.”
“I’m trying my best,” Sapphire sighed.
“That bad?”
“Yes,” Sapphire grumbled.
“Okay,” Reaper said. “I better get you back to the table.”
As much as she didn’t want to go back, she knew she had to. How did she let herself be talked into this job? She was an idiot and apparently, she’d lost her damn mind.
“Thank you for the dance,” Reaper said, pulling out Sapphire’s chair.
“Absolutely,” Sapphire smiled.
“We’ll catch up later,” Reaper smiled. “My wife is excited to meet you.”
“I can’t wait,” Sapphire smiled. “I’ll see you both later. Maybe we can meet up in my suite for a drink later tonight.”
“Sounds great,” Reaper agreed. “I’ll let Amber know.”
“Awesome,” Sapphire smiled. It was the perfect cover. Now, if Chaz or anyone else saw Reaper entering her room, there was a story to explain why.
“It was so great to see him again,” Sapphire gushed.
“You know Reaper?” Chaz asked.
“Yes,” Sapphire grinned. “We actually grew up together.”
“Childhood friends,” Chaz grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“We were more like siblings than friends. Unfortunately, once the adult years hit, we kind of lost touch.”
Conversation died around the table shortly after Sapphire’s admission. She was pretty sure that was a bad thing. Undercover work was really not her thing. But for some reason, Chaz had his sights set on her. He wanted her club, that much she already knew, but why?
Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
And again, the reason why Sapphire was here this weekend. She had to find out his agenda.
As dinner came to an end, Chaz excused himself and left Sapphire and the Angels at the table alone. For the first time since she entered the hotel, she finally felt like she could breathe.
“I need to get out of here,” Sapphire said to the group.
“Not yet,” Raven protested. “There are still eyes in the room.”
Sapphire tried to spot who she was talking about, but nobody stood out to her. The room was filled to capacity with bikers and other hotel guests. Too many faces to pinpoint, so she just sat back and continued to sip her cocktail.
“What are you going to do?” Piper asked.
“Enjoy the party,” Sapphire smiled.
For the next two hours, she danced and talked to other club members. Several times she found Tank’s eyes glued on her and a zing of excitement would race through her. So many times she wished he would come ask her to dance, but he never did.
She missed him. In the last couple of months, there wasn’t a day that her mind hadn’t whispered his name. Several times she had wanted to call him, but she didn’t. And he never bothered to call her either.
“Okay,” Raven said, sliding onto the bar stool next to her. “It’s safe to leave.”
“Who was looking?” Sapphire asked. Were other MC’s involved in this mess? Whatever this mess actually was.
“Chaz had two other crew members in the room,” Raven replied.
“That weren’t at the table with us?” Sapphire asked.
“Yep.”
“Motherfucker,” Sapphire breathed. “What in the hell have I gotten involved in? And why?”
“I don’t know, honey,” Raven answered as they walked out of the restaurant. “But we’ll figure it out.”
* * *
After taking a quick shower and dressing in comfortable clothes, Sapphire poured herself a glass of wine and waited for Reaper to show.
The loud knock almost made her jump out of her skin. Sapphire was so on edge. This entire situation was freaking her out. Taking a deep breath, she walked over and peaked through the peephole.
“Open up,” Reaper called out from the other side.
“Thank goodness it’s just you,” Sapphire sighed.
“Well, not exactly just me,” Reaper said being followed by the rest of the Henchmen and their wives. Tank was the last to enter.
He closed the door and then stood with his back against it. Folding his arms, he looked like a titan.
“So what the hell is going on?” Sledge was the first to speak.
“I received a phone call a few weeks ago,” Sapphire explained. “Frank Pages, the VP of Sons of Purgatory, had information that Chaz was about to start vying for my club.”
“Why?” Reaper asked.
“Because it’s one of the largest in the state,” Sapphire continued. “More people, more power.”
“But for what?” Sledge questioned. “He has a pretty good-sized club already.”
“That is what I’m trying to figure out,” Sapphire replied. “There are rumors that he is involved in some major illegal shit, but nothing and no one can tie him to any crimes.”
“So you’re putting yourself in danger to find out?” Tank finally spoke.
“He wants my club, Tank,” Sapphire replied. “Fuck yeah I would. I’ve worked my ass off since taking over and my mother did the same.”
“You should have called me,” Sledge interrupted. “I could have found a mole and sent him inside Chaz’s organization to gather information.”
“This isn’t about you, Sledge. And I don’t need you, or any other man, coming to my aid.”
“I’m not saying you do, Sapphire. I’m just saying it would have been safer.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman, that means I can’t do something risky?”
“Be careful of how you answer that, honey,” Beth interjected.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Diesel chimed in. “Would you two stop the pissing contest?”
Sapphire took a calming breath. Why did Sledge always get under her skin?
Because he’s a better leader than you are.
No, he wasn’t. He might have more experience, but he wasn’t better. There was no comparison between them. Man versus woman. Him versus her. Old versus new. They were different people and ran different clubs.
“You’re right,” Sapphire sighed. “I’m sorry. Look, I am doing what I think is best for my club. That’s my job.”
“Just let me help,” Sledge pleaded. “Chaz is a dangerous man. I do know for a fact he has connections to some serious players in the drug world. I would hate to see you get wrapped up in that, Sapphire.”
“Steph,” Reaper interjected. “Let us help. Please.”
“Okay.”
“Tank, make the call,” Sledge ordered.
“Consider it done,” Tank replied, pulling out his cellphone.
“Who is he calling?” Sapphire asked.
“Banjo,” Sledge replied. “He’s an old military friend.”
“He’s a hacker that works for the government,” Diesel whispered. “A spy.”
“Man, shut up,” Reaper grumbled.
“Is he not really a spy?” Sapphire asked.
“No, he’s really a spy, but D should learn to keep his mouth shut.” Reaper tsked and shook his head.
“Oh lovely,” Sapphire groaned.
What the hell had she just agreed to? Military spying? Was that really necessary?