Page 24 of Blade's Return
“Hello?” I answer gruffly, knowing I’m playing a dangerous game. Hearing Olivia’s voice when the past is still alive in my head this morning is bad.
“Bear?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. Ayita is in the shower. I saw your number and answered. Are you okay?”
“Not really,” she says brokenly, and I can hear the tears in her voice. I’d like to strangle my brother. He doesn’t realize what a gift he has in his hands. It’s so hard for Olivia to open her heart to someone—and I know part of that fault is mine. The fact that she is with Blade, speaks volumes. He needs to get his head out of his ass.
She sniffles. “Blade wanted me to come to the Saint’s party. I said no, and he got angry. I told him to leave. He told me I was being judgmental.”
“Fucking asshole,” I hiss under my breath.
That brings a startled giggle to Olivia’s lips. “I feel like for him to even say that, he doesn’t really know me,” she confesses. “I’ve never treated anyone at the club wrong. I know most of your brothers. I like them all—well except one.”
“Ranger’s a dick,” I mutter, and rewarded again with a small laugh.
“Yeah.”
“Livy, Blade loves you,” I say softly. “He doesn’t think you’re judgmental. He’s just upset. He’ll apologize,” I promise her. If he doesn’t, I’m going to kick his fucking ass—but I don’t tell her that.
Her breath catches. “I can’t handle this, Bear. He doesn’t understand. I don’t even understand why he keeps pushing it. I mean, he’s a lawyer.”
“I know. But he deserves the truth. You need to tell him about your brother—why the club life scares you so damn much.”
“No.” The word comes sharp. “He’ll look at me differently. I don’t want his pity.”
I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Sweetheart, he wouldn’t pity you. He’s not that kind of man.”
“I don’t understand why he keeps pushing me to go to that party,” she whispers. “He should just leave it alone.”
“I can’t tell you why without breaking a promise,” I admit. “But trust me, Livy, you need to talk to him.”
She goes quiet for a beat. “I don’t think it’s a problem anymore. He left. I don’t expect him to come back.”
I close my eyes. I want Livy for my brother. If I can’t have her, and he makes her happy, I want that. I love my brother, and his happiness is everything to me—even if it hurts. “He’ll be back, sweetheart. Trust me on that. I might’ve been an idiot once, but Blade isn’t.”
She gives a small, sad laugh. “Hush, Bear. You and Ayita love each other.”
“Yes,” I say. “We do.” It’s not a lie, but the truth is heavier. I love you more, Livy. And I always will. I swallow those words down. I can’t voice them … I never can.
The bathroom door opens, and Ayita steps out, wrapped in a towel, her hair twisted up. “We do what?” she asks, smiling.
I force a grin, slipping the mask back on. I walk to her, press a kiss to her lips. “I was agreeing with Livy that we love each other.” I hand her the phone. “Talk to your girl. Blade’s being an ass.” Then I lean in, whisper against her ear, “Remember to keep his secrets.”
She nods, confusion flickering across her face, but she says nothing.
I turn away, heading down the hall. My chest feels tight, like all the old ghosts are trying to come back and haunt me. I do my best to bury them deep down inside where they belong. The past doesn’t get to own me anymore. Sadly, neither does the woman who saved me. God help me, I’ll protect her until the day I die, though. She may not know it, but she will always have my heart.
Always.
13 OLIVIA
Dad’s better today, thank God. His hands are still unsteady, but his mood’s good, his eyes bright instead of dull. I get him settled in his recliner with his favorite plaid throw draped over his legs and a mug of coffee on the side table. His breathing seems better this morning, too. It’s holding steady at eighty-nine. I’m leaving him off the concentrator for now, because he hates being tied to it.
“There,” I say, tucking the blanket around his knees. “You’re all set.”
“Only thing I’m missing is a piece of pie,” he says, grinning.
“Pie later. Coffee first,” I bargain.
