Page 35 of Blade

As I walk through the room, I pick up the jacket Ryan left lying on the floor, agonizing over whether to take the time to load the dishes into the dishwasher or ignore it all and deal with it after I get back. I glance at my watch; I have fifteen minutes to spare and decide that I can’t stand the dishes in the sink.

“I was out with Ava. She needed a ride to do some errands, and it went later than we thought,” I tell my brother as I clear the sink and tidy up.

Ryan’s ears perk up when I mention Ava. “Who’s Ava?”

“Guard’s wife.” I stress the word wife, to make sure Ryan hears me. “Guard is the president of Blade’s club,” I add, wanting him to understand the importance of these people in my life. Ryan is up and standing on the other side of the counter.

“You’re tight with these people?” He’s clearly trying to figure out the connection I have to the Pride.

I lay it on the line. “Ryan, I’m in love with Blade.” Ryan blinks but remains silent. “He’s good, decent, and honest, and he loves me back. His friends have embraced me and treat me like a sister. His parents are wonderful people, and his sister thinks I’m cool. Me, cool. I love you too, big brother, and I’m begging you to please not mess this up for me.”

“Em—” Ryan says sharply, looking all offended and ready to strike, but I quickly intervene.

“Don’t! Just don’t!” I raise my hand to stop him before he starts. “Five times I’ve put down roots only to have to leave because my brother scammed my neighbors and friends. And by association, I became the most hated person in town.” He starts to speak again, but I won’t let him. “I know you don’t mean to hurt me, but you do. I know you’re lost, but instead of finding a way to cope with the changes that are happening in your life, you’re holding on to the past and keep hoping that the clock will turn backward to those days where you were on top. The thing is you can still be on top. It may not be as a model, but you’re so smart, and I remember how funny and sweet you can be. You’d be great doing a thousand other things, if you just gave it a chance.” I look down at the counter, my heart breaking because I’ve never said those words out loud to Ryan, because I’m afraid of his reaction. I don’t want my brother to hate me.

“Is that what you think I am, Em. A con artist? Is that who you think your brother is?” he says indignantly, his fists braced on the counter.

“It doesn’t matter what I think of you. What matters is how you see yourself. Do you like this Ryan? Because that’s not the brother I know,” I return quietly.

“Well, fuck you, Em!” he shouts. “Not everyone can be a saint like you.” His tone is sarcastic and cruel.

“Ryan—”

“Nah, no way.” He shakes his head, waving me off. “You have no clue what it’s like to have everything you’ve ever wanted and see it being taken away from you. I. Had. It all,” he says, raising his voice. “I’m supposed to have it all. You want to live with mediocrity because you never had ‘it,’ and you knew you’d never be great.”

Yes, my brother can be cruel, and his words cut me to the core. There’s no point fighting with him. I pick up my purse and car keys and walk out. I might be mediocre, but I’m building my life in a way that brings me joy.

Much later that same evening…

I should go home, but I don’t want to. I finished my meeting over an hour ago, and I’m still sitting at the coffee shop where I met with Rebecca and Evan. They are one of the cutest couples I’ve ever met. We hit it off right away. For a short time, I forgot about my brother and the problem waiting for me when I get home. The good news is that I have another wedding booked. The bad news is I have to go back to face Ryan. I can put it off for a while, but he’ll still be there when I get home.

I scan my phone for messages. I have several emails from prospective clients, and three text messages from Blade. One asking me how my day is going, another with a lips emoji, and the last one asking when I’ll be home.

Me: I don’t want to go home.

Immediately, I get a response. Come to the club.

All this is going to do is delay the inevitable fight Ryan and I are going to have, but I’m just not prepared to have it out with him, only to feel guilty afterward. I send Blade a thumbs-up, then grab the bill and head over to the club.

Blade

We were so careful to keep Emryn busy until she had her meeting with her clients, and now I know it wasn’t enough. Her text telling me she doesn’t want to go home means that something happened. Having Emmy at the club will give us both time to cool off before facing Ryan.

Demon is with me when I get Emryn’s text. I was on my way out the door to give Ryan the pounding he deserves, but Demon pulls me back.

“It’s her brother. She won’t appreciate you beating the shit out of her family. First, you take care of your woman, and we get the information we need, then we take care of business,” he says. I hate that he’s right. I head toward the gym to punch the fuck out of the bag for a solid half hour before I calm down.

I’m just finishing my shower when I hear sobbing from my bedroom. I crack open the door and see that Emryn is in the middle of my bed, hunched over and sobbing with her face in her hands. Without a word, I go to her. I pull her into my arms and let her hold on to me.

“H-he yelled at me,” she stutters and hiccups as she speaks. “The place was a mess. Who knows what it will be like when I go home? I’m tired of fighting, begging, pleading for him to make a change. I don’t know what to do. I’m his sister. Why can’t I help him?”

“Baby, he’s a grown man. You can’t make him do a damn thing. He gets to decide his fate. I hate to say it, babe, but maybe he needs to hit rock bottom before he makes a change.” I rock her in my arms. We sit for a while longer as she settles. I hand her tissues, and she wipes her eyes and nose.

The plan is to give her time and broach the subject again. However, a rough rap on the door and a gruff voice interrupt me.

“Blade, Guard’s calling church. Now!” Ghost says sternly.

“Emmy, promise me to stay in this room until I get back.” I don’t want her to face Ryan on her own.

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