“My brother left letters, and you didn’t think this was something I needed to know.”
“Blade—”
“The brother I had lost? The fucking brother I was in jail for murdering?” I growl, my voice rising.
“Blade, brother—” Cross tries again, but I keep going.
“Did you all know?” I snap, standing up, feeling as if I’m about to explode.
“About the letters? No. We did know Olivia tried to help you.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I bark, feeling like the walls are closing in on me.
“Every time we brought her up, you closed off. You began spouting your vengeance and asking if we were against you, threatening to leave the club, you name it, Blade. You didn’t let us tell you shit when it was about Olivia,” Viper huffs.
“Where’s the letter?”
“It’s been waiting for you at the club. I brought it with me tonight, though.”
He pulls out a beat-up white envelope from the pocket of his cut and reaches out toward me. I take it, ignoring how hot it feels in my hand. It almost burns me. As my gaze moves over my brother’s broken scrawl of my name, I feel emotion clog my throat. I try to clear it, but it’s impossible. “Who … Who got letters?”
“Those most important to Bear. Olivia, you, Ayita, and me—although mine was more telling me what he wanted done. He wrote it quickly before heading out to hunt down Eyeball.”
“What did his note to Olivia say?”
“I have no idea. It was for her eyes only. The same with yours and Ayita’s. My job wasn’t to read them. It was just to carry out what needed done.”
The way he says that gets my interest. “What exactly did he want you to do?” I ask staring at the letter in my hand, unable to process how I feel.
“I’m not sure you’re ready to hear this, Blade.”
“Tell me,” I order, wondering if this is just a new hell waiting for me.
“He asked me to make sure Olivia was taken care of. He left money for her and wanted to make sure that the club—even if you and she parted ways—took care of her. His dying wish was to make sure Olivia was always protected as if …”
“As if she was his,” I finish, as visions of Olivia’s cut the club gave her hits me. Property of Bear and the Saint’s Outlaws. It didn’t say property of the club only. No. My brother had to have his name involved. I’m quiet for a bit. I don’t know exactly how long. I need some time to listen to what Cross is telling me. “I need to be alone,” I finally whisper, unaware how much time has actually passed. I can feel everyone staring at me, but I ignore it.
“Brother …”
I look up at Cross. “I won’t take my anger out on Olivia. My brother basically claimed her as his. I won’t do shit to mess with that. You get your wish. For now, I need to read Bear’s letter by myself and just digest everything.”
“Call me. I know a little of Bear’s history. I can share when you’re ready to hear it. It might help.”
I nod, unable to respond.
12 ARWEN
I turn off my car and look down at the royal blue wrap-around dress that I’m wearing. My jet-black hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, and my makeup is light, like always. I look good—maybe even normal. The thing is, I know I tried extra to look my best. I’m actually excited to see Blade tonight. I shouldn’t be, and I’m ashamed. Hell, I feel like I’m betraying Olivia. She’s currently in her room sleeping, and I’m going out to meet with her ex. Hell, I’m lopsided telling her where I’m going.
I could confess and tell her I’m going to try to get Blade to back off. It’s not like that’s a lie—at least not completely. The truth is, I agreed to dinner because I wanted to spend more time with him. I don’t know how Olivia would react to that. She loves Bear, but he’s gone, and there was a relationship with Blade.
What the fuck am I doing?
I get out of the car, grab my clutch, and make my way into the casino. I’m going to find Blade and tell him this was a mistake. I’ll tell him that he and Olivia need to talk about the past together. That’s the smartest thing to do. Whatever pull I have toward this man needs to end. If the half-naked secretary and the stunt he pulled at the funeral wasn’t proof of that, nothing is.
I feel better once my mind is made up—calmer even. I walk inside and look around, hoping he’s close by so I can hurry and be done with this.
“Dr. Mason, you made it.” I turn to my side and see Blade walking toward me. He’s wearing a black tux with the shirt open a few buttons and his hair pulled back and secured. The man looks dangerous, sexy, and trouble with a capital T. My brain is yelling for me to run.
