Page 4 of Blade

"You're going to eat a proper meal, take a shower, and get some sleep," he replied. "Then tomorrow, we'll figure out the rest."

"That's it?"

"For now."

She turned to look out the window. "I don't understand why you're helping me."

Blade sighed. This woman had clearly been through hell. Trust wouldn't come easy.

"The club protects its own," he said simply.

"I'm not one of you."

"You were willing to risk your life rather than betray us," he countered. "Sounds like one of us to me."

She fell silent again, seemingly lost in thought. The road wound through the mountains, taking them further from town. The streetlights faded away, leaving only his headlights cutting through the darkness.

"They have photos," she said suddenly, her voice barely audible. "Of my dad."

Blade kept his eyes on the road. "What kind of photos?"

"He... he killed someone." Her voice cracked. "Years ago. He was protecting my mom, but he... he didn't call the police. Just buried the body on our property."

"And the Rejects found out?"

She nodded. "They said they'd send the photos to the police. Said they'd hurt my mom if I didn't help them."

"But you couldn't go through with it," he guessed.

"I tried," she admitted, shame coloring her voice. "But I couldn't... I couldn't do it. The girls were so nice to me. And then when I saw how the club treated them, how their Daddies protected them..."

She trailed off, her breathing becoming uneven.

"Take a deep breath," Blade instructed, reaching over to place a hand on her knee. "You're safe now."

She flinched at his touch but didn't pull away.

"They're going to kill them," she whispered. "My parents. When they find out I'm with you."

"No, they won't," Blade said with absolute certainty. "Because they won't find out. And even if they did, your parents are already under protection."

Her head snapped toward him. "What?"

"Irish sent some of our brothers to watch over them the minute we figured out what was happening. They're safe, Lily."

Tears welled in her eyes. "You're lying."

"I told you. I’m a man of my word. I don't lie."

A sob escaped her, and she covered her mouth with her hand. "Why would you do that? Why would you help them? Help me?"

"Because it's what we do," he replied simply. "And because you're mine to protect now."

Her eyes widened at that. "I'm not?—"

"For now, you are," he cut her off. They’d talk about it later. She was his a month ago when they’d spent two hours building with LEGO bricks and eating snacks. He knew it. He was sure she felt it, too. "You need a safe place. Food. Rest. And I'm providing it. That makes you my responsibility."

She opened her mouth as if to argue further, then closed it again. Good. She was learning.

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