“So how’s it feel being a new dad at your age?” G asks, coming up beside me to stare down at the baby.
“I’m not that old, fucker.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” G teases him as I hear familiar laughter. I look over and see Delphi walk through the door with Circus and Capone. Capone is waving his arms around as he talks. I have no idea what he’s saying, but Delphi is finding it hilarious.
I whistle to get her attention. “I didn’t know you were coming here.”
“Circus persuaded me, and Capone bribed me with a chocolate shake.” She grins as Blade turns around. As soon as she sees him, all the blood drains from her face.
“What the fuck is she doing here?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
DELPHI
After takingme to the diner for club sandwiches and shakes, the guys talked me into coming back to the clubhouse. I wasn’t sure how, but they were pretty persuasive. Since Kruger was going to be there, I figured, why not?
I fought back my nerves. I’d already done the hard part the first time I’d come here. Still, the butterfly feeling was in full effect, though Circus made a valiant effort to distract me by filling me in on his latest conquest.
When I hear a whistle, I look over and see Kruger. I relax, that is, until my eyes fall on Blade, and everything from that night comes rushing back. I feel myself sway, the milkshake in my hand slipping from my fingers. My vision blurs, as my ears start buzzing, and a weird tingle spreads over my body. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. I feel the muscles in my arms twitch before it’s lights out.
When I open my eyes, all I can see is white for a minute. I start to panic, thinking I’ve gone blind. But then Kruger’s worried face comes into view, and I realize I’m lying on the ground with my head in his lap. I can hear noise all around me.I can’t distinguish between the sounds, so I focus on Kruger, knowing he’ll keep me safe.
“You’re okay, chestnut. I’ve got you.”
I feel calmer than I have any right to feel, waking up on the ground and having no idea how I got here. I’m sure if Kruger wasn’t here, I’d be filled with blind panic. As all my systems come back online, all I feel is a little wooziness and a lot of embarrassment.
“I had another one, huh?” I croak out.
He smooths the hair from my face. “Yeah, you did, but you’re okay. Capone caught you before you hit the deck.”
“I really hoped it was all a mistake. That the seizure was just a fluke. But I guess not.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s not something we didn’t know. I guess I wasn’t quite as accepting of the whole thing as I thought.”
“You process shit faster than anyone I know. You’ve been dealing with it. This is just a reminder to be careful.”
“I guess we figured out another one of my triggers.”
“Yeah. Fear.”
“I was going to say stress, but yeah, maybe you’re right. I wasn’t expecting to see him there, looking at me like he hates me.”
“I didn’t know you were coming, or I’d have given you a heads up. Though I had no fucking clue he’d act like that. Asshole.”
“He’s been out of the loop, dealing with Sunshine and Conan,” Havoc says, dropping into a squat next to me. “How you feeling, Delphi?”
“Like a freakshow.”
He winks at me. “You fit right in then. We’re all a little freaky here.”
I chuckle, groaning when my head throbs. “Please tell me you have some painkillers. I left mine at home.”
“I’ll find you some.” He gives my leg a squeeze before he leaves.
“Want me to help you sit up?” Kruger asks.
