“We’re not very creative here.” I chuckle. “His old lady is Bonnie. You will meet her soon enough. She’s a huge part of this place and Ashton’s best friend.”
“Do they have any children?”
“One on the way, or should I say two.”
“Twins! They must be happy about that.”
“They’ve been trying for a long time. Ended up going for fertility treatment, and this is the result.”
“When are they due?”
“Soon.”
We reach another block set a short walk from the main compound, and I explain, “This is where the Reapers eat if they don’t feel like cooking for themselves. It has a cafeteria, gymnasium, swimming pool and other rooms where you can get your hair done, nails, that kind of thing.”
“Wow, you weren’t joking; this place is a community.”
“It sure is.”
I point to the main compound. “The bar is in the main building and is the most important place here. It’s where everyone gathers in the evening if they want company.”
“I see.”
Her tone drops, and I squeeze her hand.
“Don’t judge the people in there, darlin’. I told you, there are no strings attached unless connections form. There is no judging those who merely want company and well?—”
I falter, and she fills in the gaps.
“It’s okay, Blade. I kind of got you’re no virgin. I’m sorry to say, neither am I, so who am I to judge.”
I take time to take a very deep breath because I fucking hate her past. Not because I’m an asshole who believes she should be a virgin, but because she suffered with it. If she had the time of her fucking life with other men, I would be happy for her but knowing she had it tough spears my heart through to the bone.
She hesitates and then says quietly, “You really don’t have to babysit me if you’d rather, well, carry on as normal.”
“I don’t think of you as a baby, darlin’, far from it.”
I turn and wink, and she blushes adorably, and I wonder how long it will be before I ditch my chivalry and hit on her. I like to think a good amount of time, but I’m a realist and lying in bed with her tonight will require superhuman strength not to make her mine, and to hell with chivalry.
We reach the dining hall, and as we step inside, raucous laughter serenades us as we make our way to the counter. Lou is dishing up today and smiles her welcome, interest obvious as she turns to my companion.
“Hey, you must be Delilah. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Delilah smiles shyly, and I make the introductions.
“This is Lou, Jack’s mom and Brewer’s better half.”
I wink at Lou, and she shakes her head. “You’ll get used to their bullshit, honey. Take it with a pinch of salt on your meal.”
She tosses her eyes and then lowers her voice. “I want to thank you for your part in helping us. Drake told us you put a lot on the line to approach him and work with him to bring that hated woman down. We owe you, so if you need anything, and Imean anything at all, you only have to ask. You’re a Reaper now, and that counts for a lot.”
I fucking love Lou. She hit the spot with her speech because Delilah visibly relaxed and smiles happily.
“I should be thanking the Reapers, um, Lou. Without Blade watching out for me and, well, making the transition an easy one, I don’t have a clue where I’d be now.”
Lou’s amusement is obvious as she winks at me and yet merely says politely, “So, we’ll begin with what I can get you to eat.”
The food is laid out on hot plates, and as Delilah selects casserole and baked potato, I find myself checking her out. I can’t help it. She is still the prettiest woman I have ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot. Plus, her personality hits me right in the sweet spot, and I hang on every word that spills softly from her lips. I can’t get enough of her, and yet she will never know because I’m like my brother; we don’t advertise our feelings, and Delilah must get used to life here on her terms for as long as she stays.
