Page 5 of Blade's Return
“I feel like I should tell you, Livy, that I knew that he wasn’t with his wife.”
“Oh my,” she giggles. I grin at her, loving the look on her face. Hell, I’m just enjoying being close to her. “I guess you should probably count Marty and Josie off your tally of votes going your way tonight.”
“Josie?”
“Probably the woman you saw him with. She’s the circuit clerk and also on the board. The saddest thing about it is that she and Marty both have wonderful spouses who deserve better.”
“I think I should probably tell you that I feel comfortable those two will vote our way.”
“Are you feeling okay?” she jokes. “I think you might be feverish.”
“You’re cute,” I chuckle. “I’m just saying, people in glass houses can’t afford to throw stones against someone who knows where the skeletons are hidden.”
“I think that’s two different idioms,” she giggles.
“The meaning is the same.”
“Point taken,” she says. “Shall we go join Bear?”
I hold out my arm, and she links hers into it. I escort Olivia toward the conference room, feeling as if I have just won the lottery.
3 OLIVIA
“Livy, thank you for all your help,” Bear says, as he walks me out.
The vote went their way—six to four. It didn’t escape my attention that they won by two votes from people Blade hinted they were blackmailing. I wasn’t going to say anything about it. I find it kind of hilarious to be honest. I think it’s about time that people who serve up shit have to eat it too. It’s karma at work and it makes me happy.
“I’m so glad things went your way tonight. What you guys are planning will truly help the people here in Cherokee. With some, it will make all the difference in the world.”
Bear leans over and kisses my forehead once we reach my car—a ten-year-old Toyota Camry. It’s the first thing I ever purchased myself. It was a darn good deal. I’ve had her for two years and she never lets me down. “I’m going to head home, Livy. Ayi can’t sleep unless she’s in my arms.”
“Or is that the other way around?” I laugh.
“Probably a little bit of both,” he says, with a wink, before adding, “Are you still coming over for dinner Friday?”
“Yeah, and I’m bringing cookies.”
“Those big ones with the chocolate and coconut?”
“Cowboy cookies,” I laugh. “Yeah, those.”
“Hot damn,” he says, rubbing his hands together.
I shake my head as he walks off. I open my door as I look up at Blade. “It was nice meeting you,” I whisper, feeling a little strange because he’s still here. I’m used to Bear. I feel safe with him. Blade is different. I really like him, but he’s an unknown. That makes me nervous—especially since we’re alone.
“It was really good meeting you, too, little one.”
“I’m not that little,” I laugh. He’s called me that several times tonight. Oddly enough, I kind of like it—which worries me.
“You are compared to me,” he responds at once. There’s not much I can argue about there—he’s huge. Deliciously so.
“I guess you have me there. I better get going. I need to check on my father.”
“Is he sick?”
“Yeah. He has a muscle disease, which makes it difficult for him to walk and do things.”
His hand moves along the side of my face, his thumb brushes along the side of my face. “You’re a remarkable woman, Olivia Davis.”
