Page 71 of Nun’s Prayer

Fuck. Well, I can honestly say I never expected this.

Sapphire

I sat back in the chair and studied the costings of renovating the bookshop. Cass was opposite me, looking bemused.

“You want me to run it?” He checked for about the fifth time, and I raised my eyebrows.

“Did you get your degree in literacy?”

“Yes.”

“Then, Cass, my final response is yes. Now, what do you think?” I tapped the two designs in front of me. “We can go ultra-modern, clean walls, neutral colours, and create a bright, cheerful space, or choose wooden panelling, old-style with cosy nooks.”

“Why not both?” Cass asked. “There’re three floors? Keep the basement for storage. Then make the bottom floor the cosy, wood-panelled one with a small coffee bar in the corner. Maybe add sandwiches and chips. Then, to attract the students, arrange the college materials on the next level, with worktables and booths. Have some modern sofas and tables for the hip crowd. I’d add stationery and electrical items, phone chargers, etc.”

Cass frowned and tapped his pen on the table. “Include some merch, you know, travel mugs, water bottles, all with the Royal Harlot patch. That will make money.”

“Take the designs and check them over properly. If you approve, go ahead. If you don’t, here’s the architect’s number; call him and have him redo it to your specs, okay?”

Both of us jumped as the door flew open and Sparrow stood there, heaving. “There was an attack. Vengeance, Birdie, and Rose are heading to the ER. Vengeance and Rose are critical.” Sparrow dragged in a breath as I stood. “Nun is gone. An SUV took them out; it hit all four of them.” Sparrow swallowed. “When paramedics arrived, Rose wasn’t breathing.”

I paused for a moment, closed my eyes, and inhaled calming breaths.

“Call Stitch, get her there now. Alert the club; we’ll meet at the hospital.” I turned to Cass. “Gather the stable; we’re going to require everyone, and phone Blue and Priest. They need to be informed. Get everybody to meet us at the ER. I’ll phone the police as we ride.”

“They know. Cassidy was on scene and recognised them. Birdie remained conscious long enough to say what happened. Witnesses are also backing up her report. They all witnessed a man take Nun. Cassidy called me. The PPD are already looking for them.”

“Let’s head to the hospital, we can make plans there,” I ordered and walked out. Sparrow looked at me with worry. “I’ve had nothing,” meaning a premonition. I wasn’t sure if that was positive or negative. If I hadn’t had a vision about this, what did that mean?

I didn’t wait around to puzzle it out and rode out with Sparrow on my heels. My phone buzzed as Sparrow’s alert hit it, and I knew across town the RHMC would be riding.

I entered the ER and headed straight for reception. “Three of my sisters were brought in. Vengeance, Birdie, and Rose.” I said.

The woman looked at me. “Their real names.”

“Just gave them to you. They’d have been booked in under them,” I replied, grinding my teeth.

“Look, we don’t—”

“Shut the fuck up and do your job. Vengeance. Birdie. Rose,” I snarled.

“Watch your mouth, or I’ll call security.”

“You think this desk protects you? You couldn’t be more wrong. Now I want information on my sisters.”

“You need to be a member of their family—”

“What is your damn problem?” I exclaimed loudly enough to garner attention.

“What’s going on?” a doctor asked.

“My sisters, Vengeance, Birdie, and Rose, were brought in. I’m asking for an update, and she’s giving me the fuckin’ runaround,” I ground out.

The doctor sent the receptionist a dirty look. “We’ll be having words. You’ve been warned in the past about this attitude.” He turned his back. “Vengeance has been rushed to surgery. She’s got internal bleeding. Rose is having a scan. We’re concerned about why she stopped breathing on scene. Birdie is next in after her. If you can wait, I’ll update you in a few moments. Rose’s scans should be through soon.”

My shoulders sagged. “They’re all breathing?”

“Yes.” The doctor reached out and touched my shoulder. “They are alive, and we’re going to do our best to keep them that way.”