“Why not?”
“Who knows but Blade’s the same? So goddamn stubborn. They would rather lose something than declare its importance to them. It’s so frustrating.”
She shakes her head, and then a strong arm slips around her shoulder, and she is pulled tight against her husband’s side as he drops a soft kiss on the side of her face.
Her happiness is evident as she smiles up at him, and Bonnie groans.
“I need another drink. Non-alcoholic of course.”
“We should head back to Snake.”
Ashton peers at me with concern. “We’re only over there if you need us. Don’t be shy to come over. You will be most welcome.”
“Thank you.”
I’m not sure what else to say because I already know it will be a cold day in hell if I ever pluck up the courage to approach any groups in this place.
When they leave, Sunday heads off to another customer, and Blade appears worried, prompting me to ask.
“Will your brother be okay?”
“On the outside, sure but he holds feelings deep and deals with them in his silent way.”
“It’s okay if you need to check on him. I can, well–”
I peer around the room and die a little inside because the thought of being on my own in here is too terrifying to consider.
“It’s okay, darlin’.” He chuckles softly.
“My brother is bigger and uglier enough to sulk in private. But if this is too much you only have to say and we’ll leave.”
“Can we?”
I bite my lip nervously and Blade’s eyes flash as he nods. “You got it.”
This time I don’t find his hand because I’m aware I don’t really have that right and after a casual wave to Sunday, I follow him out of the room.
As the door closes, I breathe a sigh of relief and suddenly its awkward between us because what happens now?
* * *
We headout of the steel compound, and I drag in huge gulps of the night air, grateful for the clean oxygen after the tension in the bar.
We follow the path, our hands brushing together on occasion, but I fail to reach for the courage of earlier as we head toward my block.
Blade says nothing and I have no idea what he’s thinking and as we come to a stop outside my block, I peer at the door wondering if I will be brave enough to voice what’s running through my head right now.
“We’re back.”
He says, stating the obvious, and yet hesitates, and I peer up at him, noting the shadows casting across his features. He is an unread book that keeps its pages under lock and key, and I falter a little as I whisper, “Um, well, I–”
I break off and shuffle on the spot, and his eyes burn into me as I struggle to form the words.
“It’s okay, darlin’, I won’t bite. What do you want to say?”
It’s as if tension swirls around us as I ball my hands into a fist by my side and whisper, “Can I, well–” I heave a deep breath. “Well, stay with you tonight?”
My cheeks flame as I ask for something I have no right to, and he gives nothing away as he replies huskily, “Nobody will hurt you, darlin’. You will be safe.”
