Page 35 of Blade's Return
He threads his fingers through mine. “Let’s go.”
“Let’s do this,” I say softly. He presses a kiss to my forehead, and we step out into the night together. I inhale deeply, hoping I’m not making the biggest mistake in my life. I need tonight to work out. It feels like my future is hanging on by a thread. I know this is important to Blade and I want it to work out. I send up a silent prayer and hope for the best.
That’s all I can do.
19 BLADE
The air out here smells like smoke and whiskey. Bonfires burn in old steel tubs scattered across the yard, the heat rolling in waves every time the wind shifts. Music pounds from somewhere near the clubhouse, a mix of country and hard rock that somehow works. People laugh, shout, and clink bottles. The alcohol is freely flowing, but I’m not touching it that much. I keep staring at Olivia, letting her ground herself in my presence—hopefully keeping her fears at bay.
Right now, her hand is tucked into mine. She’s tense, I can feel it in her grip, but she’s trying. That’s what gets me about her—she always tries. We’ve only been twenty minutes or so. Ranger came over at once and I haven’t been able to get away. I’m not sure why. It’s not like the bastard has ever liked me. Finally, I tell him we have to go and lead Olivia away. My gaze zeros in on Bear and Ayita near one of the fires, both holding drinks and watching the chaos like parents at a playground for criminals. Bear’s face goes blank for a moment, then it breaks into a grin when he spots us.
“Well, look at that. Livy, you look damn good in that club cut.”
Olivia blushes immediately, the pink in her cheeks making my chest ache. “Thank you for getting it for me.”
Ayita’s head turns toward Bear. Her smile is polite, but her eyes… yeah, they’re not. It’s very confusing. She’s supposed to be one of Olivia’s best friends. “That was very thoughtful,” she says, voice cool. “You didn’t mention you were going to get Livy a cut.”
Bear shrugs, casual, but there’s a flicker of guilt behind his eyes. “I wanted our girl to feel comfortable.”
Ayita makes a low, skeptical sound. “Hmm.”
Something passes between them—something tight and heavy—and I can’t tell what the hell it is. I should care, but I’ve got my own storm brewing. They’ll work out whatever is going on. They always do.
I have to concentrate on my own relationship. I love seeing Livy in the cut, feeling proud that she’s mine and that the club’s got her back… it also burns. My brother’s name is on that patch, not mine. Protected by Bear and the Saints Outlaws. Every time I read it, it’s another reminder that I’m lying to her.
She doesn’t know I’m VP of this club—has no idea that every piece of the casino, the shops, the resort—all of it—traces back to me as much as them.
She can’t know that yet—and it kills me.
I tell myself it’s for her safety and to protect the club. That’s partly true. I mean, this isn’t just a club thing—it’s a damn lifeline for half the people living in Cherokee’s poverty regions. Still, the truth is I’ve kept this secret during our whole relationship. I need to tie her to me before she finds out the truth.
So she won’t leave me forever.
Fuck! It’s a mess, and it’s my load to carry. I look down and find Livy talking with Hangman, her face soft and animated. “…and Dakota’s so beautiful,” she says, smiling. “She did finally put the name on the certificate, right?”
Hangman laughs. “That’s right. They argued, but Sunny won.”
I blink. “Hold up—you know Sunny?”
Livy nods like it’s obvious. “Well, yeah.”
Hangman grins. “Livy and her dad have been to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Livy says, smiling. “We do it every year. I’m not going this year though. Dad’s been having a harder time with long days. Wears him down. I offered to host, but with a new baby, that’s a lot to ask.”
Bear lifts his beer. “Ayita and I will come.”
Hangman nods. “I’m in. I can come by your house after I leave Sunny’s.”
A couple other members wander over, and Bear fills them in. Within a minute, they’re all agreeing—my brothers are embracing her. Livy stares at them, wide-eyed, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and awe.
I lean down, close to her ear. “You okay?”
She nods, blinking fast. “Yeah. I just didn’t expect…” She glances at Ayita. “Hey, can we talk?”
Ayita hesitates, her gaze flicking toward Bear, but then she smiles. “Sure.”
