CHAPTER 24
BLADE
I’m waiting for Delilah outside the whore’s block. It’s best if I don’t invade her space any further. When I dropped her here after her visit with Imogen and Cassie, I detected her wistful expression and a sadness I can’t place.
She is going through a lot and doesn’t need me hitting on her, so I will keep a respectful distance no matter how much I hate that.
More than anything, I wish we were back in the mountains where life was simpler and we were getting closer. Now we’re oceans apart; at least it feels like that.
The door opens and I catch my breath because Delilah is the hottest woman on the planet right now. Whoever stocked her closet needs an award because, fuck me, she’s a vision. The sprayed on black jeans hug her curves and the pretty white top she is wearing is cut short. She’s wearing a black leather jacket over the top, and her sneakers are the dressy kind of casual. Her hair is long and freshly washed, and she has applied enough make-up to accentuate her beauty and not smother it.
She is beautiful and I wish like hell I could pluck up the courage to ask her to be mine.
But I can’t. She doesn’t even have a memory, and we must deal with that before she makes new ones. Life sucks, but I’m used to that, so I shrug off the wall and nod.
“Looking good, darlin’.”
She smiles, but I note her blush, and my heart tightens at how adorable she is.
“I’m a little nervous, Blade.”
Her wide eyes are filled with reluctance, and I attempt to set her mind at ease.
“You have no reason to be. I won’t leave your side, unless–”
My sentence trails off because she may not want a bodyguard in there.
“I would like that, but I don’t want to inconvenience you.” She draws in a deep breath. “I mean, you may want to catch up with your friends and well–”
“Well, nothing, darlin’. I have no woman, friends sure, but catching up with them isn’t my priority right now. You are.”
“Really.”
Her face brightens, and I swear my balls tighten and I sense a long night ahead as I try to remain impassive.
I jerk my head in the direction of the main compound.
“If you want to leave, say the word. It can be terrifying at first sight but give it time and you’ll soon relax.”
We head off down the path, and she walks close by my side. As we approach our destination, my throat dries as her small hand slips into mine and she inches closer. My breathing is ragged as I squeeze her hand for reassurance, that ache in my balls intensifying as my mind plays tricks on me and tells me this could work.
I pull her after me into the compound, and as we approach the doors to oblivion, I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
As usual, the moment the door opens, the noise hits us. Laughing, banter, music and jeers from Reapers watching thegame on the huge screens. The light is bright and the air is thick with testosterone and pheromones, and as we push our way inside, the first person we come across is Maverick, his arm slung around his wife Sophia.
“Hey, man.”
He nods to Delilah, and Sophia flashes her a welcoming smile.
“Hey, honey. Welcome to The Rubicon.”
Delilah smiles nervously, and Maverick smirks when he notices my hand firmly in hers.
I ignore him and scan the room, searching for my brother as always, and Maverick says in his husky whisper, “Look for Sunday, he won’t be far.”
He huffs. “I wish he’d just make it official. The way those two dance around the issue is getting old.”
“You know my brother.”
