Page 65 of Blade

“You look beautiful,” the man who has buried himself deep inside my heart says, and I turn, my stomach tightening, to see him leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed. Wow…

His black t-shirt stretches across his muscular chest, and I have to admit my mouth waters.

Nearly seven months without feeling him, and I am struggling, a feeling I never thought I would have, but yet here it is, just for him.

Would it be bad if I climb him like a mountain and beg him to take me or is that too forward?

“Thank you,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say without making my thoughts known.

Leo got some of his brothers to collect my things. The brother who went, retrieved the photo of my father, it sits nicely on the fireplace in Leo’s living area. His mama also bought me a wardrobe full of clothes, trashing what I had because, in herwords, “They are old and warn it’s time for a change,” meaning they were the clothes I wore wheneverheattacked me.

They’re being nice, and I’m grateful. I just don’t want to get used to it in case this man before me decides I’m not worth the hassle, though like I said, it’ll be a fight if he thinks I’d leave easily.

“You don’t need to thank me for telling you how it is, princess,” he says as he pushes himself off the wall and walks my way he reminds me, “I love you.”

Damn, even now, hearing the words… They do something to me. my heart skips, and my stomach flutters, making me think maybe everything is in my head, but his actions contradict his words.

He’s barely spoken to me since my admission, since I killedhim.

“How can you go from wanting to screw me for a month to get me out of your system to loving me?” I ask, perplexed still, and he chuckles, gently gripping my hips as his eyes take in my features.

I haven’t said it back, mainly because I’m scared out of my mind that he’ll leave me, that he’ll come to his senses. He’s already acting off, so what if I tell him how I feel, and he laughs and says, “Sike?”

I lied to him about who my family was or omitted the truth anyway while a war was brewing.

What if this is his revenge? Make me feel comfortable, loved even, and then kicks me out.

Leo chuckles lightly and mumbles, “Because you’re fucking addicting,” and I raise a brow at his cop-out. He smiles and admits, “Because, princess, you buried yourself deep inside me,” his eyes race between mine, “You captivated me instantly, and I kept telling myself we weren’t going to go any further, I was adamant a woman in my future was never going to happen butyou, fuck, as soon as we locked eyes I knew you were mine,” his eyes race between mine, “You were sweet, kind and despite the hell you went through, despite the pain I could see every day on your face you still held a smile. You entranced me, princess.”

I swallow hard and step into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I place my head against his chest, hearing his heart, the beat soothing me. He wraps his arms around me tight, giving me a sense of safety and warmth.

I want to believe his words. I really do, but he hasn’t been near me in three days, and I’m eighty-five percent sure I’m imagining him holding me at night, the fifteen wanting to believe otherwise.

How can he love me when I’m broken?

“Are you ready?” Leo mumbles as he touches my forehead with his lips, his words pulling me from my crazy thoughts.

I think therapy is the way to go for me again.

“If I say I’m not?” I ask with a whisper, and he sighs, pulling back. Instantly, I miss his warmth, but he cups my cheek, and his eyes race between mine.

“I won’t force you to do something you don’t want, princess. As far as I’m concerned, I never want you to step on their property again. I’d rather you get ready for school again and stay here where you are safe from the memories,” my eyes tear up, “But baby, if you don’t do this, then what you did to Brock will be for nothing,” he gently rubs his thumb along my jaw and whispers, “You need closure, princess.”

“Hey Luna,” Trinket says as he meets Leo and me by the clubhouse wooden door, and I swallow hard.

“Hi,” I say quietly, already regretting being here.

For the thirty-five-minute drive here, I wanted Leo to turn the truck around and take me back, but I knew this was something I needed to do.

These people called me a liar, accused me of trying to ruin a good man’s life, and said I was jealous of the attention he was giving others. Heck, some of the brothers, including the one standing before me looking guilty, believed I had a crush on Brock.

Trinket clears his throat, and we lock eyes, his hazel ones full of guilt as he admits, “Only the five of us who were there know what happened.”

“What the fuck?!” Leo snaps while I shake my head, not surprised one bit, and Trinket winces and admits, “Axe thought his sister deserved the chance to tell everyone the truth, Blade. If I had it my way, I wouldn’t put her through this because she’s been through enough, but Axe is the Pres and believes this is the right way. As far as the brothers know, Brock is involved in club business.”

“He’s punishing me,” I confirm, and Trinket shakes his head in denial, but I state, “I chose to stay with Leo instead of allowing him to bring me here, a place he thinks is my home, but it isn’t. I ran from here because his closest friend, his VP, his right-hand man was abusing me right underneath his nose,” I sigh, “He wants to punish me, and what better way than to get me to tell everyone what has happened.”

Trinket looks away, knowing I’m right, while Leo curses, but I just shake my head and mumble, “Let's get this over with, shall we?”

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