Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
B lade slid the last tub of supplies into his closet. Leaving half-completed projects, tools, and his own cache of weapons out around his rooms was okay when he was alone. Sapphire was going to spend the night at the clubhouse tonight after dinner. He didn’t want her to feel like she lived in a battle zone or to hurt herself on one of the fine edges he prided himself on creating.
Scanning the room, he thought it looked bleak. Crap!
He whipped open the door, planning to go check in the supply area if there were any decorations or knickknacks to make the place homier.
“Whoa,” Steele said, tucking Ivy behind him. “You’re in a rush.”
“Sorry. I was headed for the storage area.”
“What happened to all the stuff?” Ivy asked as she peeked into his room.
“I’ve figured out my decorations are things Little girls could get hurt playing with,” Blade admitted.
“I hope you find what you’re searching for,” Steele said, tugging Ivy down the hall.
“Wait, Daddy. This place needs a lot of work. It’s scary in there,” Ivy declared dramatically. “All empty spaces and shadows. I bet it echoes.”
She paused before calling, “Hello?” into the room.
Blade listened for a response before catching himself. “That’s silly, Ivy. It’s not that bad.”
The Little girl shook her head to refute that statement.
“Blade! There’s a guy in the shop who wants to talk to you about decking out his vintage hog,” Kade called down the hall.
“Ivy, I need some help. Would you mind asking a few of the other Littles to spruce up my apartment so I won’t frighten Sapphire?” Blade asked. “Don’t lift anything heavy or climb ladders. No paint. Just throw a few pillows around.”
“I’ve got you, Blade. I want an exchange,” Ivy said quickly.
“What’s that?” he asked suspiciously.
“Can you make me something I can wear that I can use as self-defense? Like a necklace or a bracelet? I still get scared leaving the bank at night,” Ivy confessed.
“You should have told me,” Steele growled from behind her.
“No way. You’d have camped out in the parking lot in a makeshift welding shop to make sure you had me in your sights at all times. I’m not in danger. The problem is here,” Ivy explained, tapping her brain. “Not out there.”
“That sounds like something Sapphire and I need to collaborate on. I’ll do my best, Ivy,” Blade assured her.
“Thank you. Leave your decorations to us,” Ivy said, beaming at him.
“Nothing too over-the-top, right?” Blade asked.
“Gotcha,” Ivy promised.
“Blade? Are you coming?” Kade bellowed.
Blade turned and jogged down the hall as he answered, “Tell him to keep his chaps on. I’m on my way.”
“Come get me when you need the ladder,” Steele told Ivy.
“No ladders,” Blade reminded them.
“Hi, Blue Eyes,” Blade said, looking up to see Sapphire hovering quietly just outside his work area.
“Hi. I didn’t want to interrupt you and cause you to get cut,” she said as she walked forward.
“That’s very thoughtful of you. I’m pretty steady. These guys aren’t quiet. I’m used to people stopping by to say something,” Blade assured her as he set the adapted handlebar on his workbench. Standing, he pulled her close for a hug before kissing her deeply.
“Mmm. You taste good,” Blade complimented. “I’ve missed you today.”
“I missed you too.”
“Did you bring your things?”
“I didn’t want to walk through the shop like a harlot moving in,” she said, turning slightly pink.
“First, no one says harlot anymore. Second, no one here would ever think to judge you like that. Third, let’s drive your car around to the clubhouse, and I’ll carry your bag to my room. Then, I’ll be the harlot,” he teased.
“You!” she protested, smacking his chest.
“Come on, Blue Eyes. Let’s get you settled.”
Taking her hand, he led her through the shop. He liked that several people remembered her name and greeted her personally. When she came to dinner at the clubhouse, he would make it official that she was his.
“Want me to drive?” he asked.
“Please. I don’t want to run over a motorcycle or someone. Is it always so busy here?” Sapphire asked, leading him to the last parking spot where she’d left her car.
“Business is good. Between all the guys’ talents and the explosion of popularity of riding, the shop is almost too busy. They could use two of me.”
“No one would want to go to the other guy,” Sapphire said confidently.
“Talk like that gets you an extra dessert tonight,” Blade told her with a wink.
“I like dessert. Chocolate is my favorite.”
“I wasn’t suggesting something to eat, Little girl,” he corrected her, opening the passenger door.
“A dessert that’s not something to eat?” she asked in confusion as she sat down.
“Think sexual favor,” he suggested and closed the door as she caught on to what he was implying.
“You are so bad,” she told him when he got in behind the wheel.
“Bad is the new good, Little girl.”
“Are you sure everyone is going to be okay with me staying at the clubhouse?”
“Yes. There are a lot of couples there. And other Littles.”
“Oh.”
“Next time when you come in, take this road around the shop, and you can park at the clubhouse,” he said as he drove that path.
After parking, he squeezed her thigh lightly. “Stay here. I will help you out.”
When she nodded, he circled the car to open the door. “Good girl,” he praised her as he held out a hand.
“My bag is in the trunk.”
With her duffel in one hand, Blade wrapped his other arm around her waist and guided her into the clubhouse. Gabriel waved from the kitchen area where he was working on dinner and called, “Welcome, Sapphire. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” she answered before adding, “It smells delicious in here.”
“Gabriel takes care of us,” Blade told her before asking the man cooking, “Where is everyone?”
“You’re going to see them soon,” Gabriel answered without giving any details.
Blade looked at Sapphire and shrugged. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ll stash your bag, I’ll give you a tour, and we’ll eat.”
She followed him past the bar and pool tables to the door that led to their private apartments. The quiet of the almost-empty gathering room morphed into a tumble of giggles and deep chuckles.
What is going on?
“It sounds like a party,” Sapphire commented.
“Let’s go find out.” Blade led the way down the hall and turned the corner. There he stopped in his tracks. Blue shimmering beads hung in the open doorway. Was that a flash of a feathered boa?
Blade pulled some of the lines of sparkling beads aside and ushered Sapphire into his previously boring apartment. They both studied the room. Welcome, Sapphir was written on the wall using adhesive hooks, and the final E was underway as Ivy, Elizabeth, and Remi guided a blue string of fluff into place.
Everywhere he looked, the Littles had left their mark. The refrigerator was gift-wrapped with blue paper and a giant bow. A blue scarf draped over the lamp by the couch gave the room an underwater glow. A large sapphire dish sat in the middle of the coffee table, filled with candy.
“Wow!” Sapphire said with her hands clasped to her chest.
“Welcome, Sapphire!” resounded around the room.
“Ivy, you have certainly added some homey touches,” Blade said, choosing his words carefully as he controlled the grin that threatened to curve his lips. Only Littles would consider this the equivalent to scattering a few pillows around. Sapphire’s reaction made it all perfect.
“Do you like it, Sapphire? Blade was afraid it was too blah in here and asked if we’d make it more fun,” Ivy said, bouncing off the couch to stand in front of Sapphire.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous. Thank you, Ivy,” Sapphire said and gave the woman a quick hug.
“You’re welcome. We were rushed, or we could have done more,” Ivy told her.
“Wait until you see the bedroom,” Remi teased.
“Sapphire needs some time to settle into her azure palace before we eat. Thank you, everyone,” Blade announced and shooed everyone out the door. As he closed it, Blade was tickled to see the beads stayed outside.
“You wanted to spruce up the place?” she teased.
“It was very dull. I suggested a few throw pillows on the couch,” Blade explained, looking around. Not over-the-top certainly had a different meaning to a bunch of Little girls. Sapphire hadn’t stopped smiling. He mentally thanked Ivy, Elizabeth, and Remi for easing Sapphire’s apprehension at staying with him.
“Are you angry at them?”
“Not at all. We can take down anything you don’t like.”
“I love it all, but maybe we could put Blade up there too?” she asked, pointing at her name in feather boas.
“Let’s hang a knife with our combined work on it. The first piece can go here,” he suggested.
“A blade for Blade. That’s so fun. And it will be ours.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, and he pulled her close. “I’m so glad your talent and my sharp edges are bringing us together. We have to keep the first one as a souvenir. It’s going to be a battle to let the pieces go, but your artistry will be showcased all over the world.”
Blade kissed her tenderly. Planning to never let her go, Blade looked forward to their future plans together. It seemed to be an indication that they were supposed to be together.
“Show me the rest of your place.”
“I’m hoping you will think of it as our place soon, but let’s go check out what they’ve done.” Stepping away, Blade grabbed her bag and took her hand. He led her into the bedroom. There, he stopped to take in the new decorations as Sapphire glanced around for the first time.
“They put in a naughty corner and a toy chest?” she asked in disbelief, seeing the chair facing the corner with a paddle hanging on the wall near it and on the opposite side of the room, the large wooden chest that brimmed with games, puzzles, and toys.
“No, I had already placed those there. I’ve gathered a few things over the years in the hope that I’d find you, Blue Eyes.”
“What did they add here, then?” she asked. Her face was a picture of confusion.
“See the blue ribbon around the paddle and the blue fluffy blanket on the back of the chair? There’s a nightlight on your side of the bed now and a sippy cup on the nightstand,” Blade pointed out.
“That’s it? I was expecting a lot more based on the other room. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything, but I’m debating whether I can appear in the main area if everyone has already figured out I’m Little. They’re going to look at me differently,” Sapphire stated with a waver in her voice.
“Do you think of the other women differently now that you’ve learned more about them?” Blade asked gently. He understood it was scary that a secret she’d hidden for so long was out there.
“No. I like them all.”
“Have they seemed judgmental? Or mean-hearted?”
“No. They’ve been super sweet,” Sapphire admitted.
“Do you care if they drink from cups with a lid and a spout?”
“No, of course not!” She looked offended at that suggestion.
“If they know you’re one of them and they want to welcome you, is that bad?” Blade probed. He walked forward and pulled the blanket off the chair. Returning to her side, he wrapped her in the soft fabric and lifted her into his arms. Blade took a seat on the side of the bed, with Sapphire cuddled on his lap. He rocked her softly back and forth, giving her time to process everything.
“This is so nice,” Sapphire whispered, rubbing her face against the velvety material. She tilted her head a bit to make eye contact and added, “You’re not too shabby either.”
Blade’s heart lurched in his chest at the adorable picture of her staring up at him with those beautiful eyes. He filed that mental image away to remember forever. “I’m so glad I found you, Little girl. I promise. This is a safe place for you.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“Then that jackass will be gone. But anyone who would hurt a Little was eliminated long ago from the Shadowridge Guardians MC. They don’t exist in the club now. Left are my brothers who would lay down their lives for me or you,” Blade told her.
“Why me? Some haven’t even talked to me.”
“You’re mine. We protect what’s ours,” Blade shared.
His definite tone must have resonated inside her. He watched a stunning smile spread across her lips. Sapphire wiggled her arms out of the cover and wrapped them around his neck to pull his mouth to hers. She kissed him enthusiastically before leaning back.
“Then I’m going to stop worrying. I’ll enjoy my time here, being myself. I think I’m going to like it here,” Sapphire declared.
“That’s my good girl.” Blade rewarded her with a kiss before asking, “Want to go get some dinner?” Sapphire often missed meals if her store was too busy for her to stop and eat.
A loud growling sound came from under the blue cloth. Sapphire slapped her hand over her tummy. “I think my body answered for me.”
“Let’s go.” Blade boosted her to her feet and stood.
“Can I let Silver out of the duffel first? I don’t want him to get squished.”
“You can take him to dinner if you wish,” Blade told her as he grabbed her case from the floor just inside the doorway and plopped it on the bed.
“Take him to dinner?” Sapphire echoed. “Oh! They won’t look at me strangely here. I think Silver is hungry.”
“Then he needs some food. Let’s see if Gabriel can tempt him,” Blade suggested.
Sapphire quickly unzipped her bag and extracted the fluffy teddy bear. She hugged Silver to her chest and announced, “We’re ready.”
Blade held out a hand for hers and led her out of the door, through the dangling beads that reappeared when it was open. “Those are going to have to go away,” he grumbled.
“Could we leave them for a while, so I’ll remember which room is yours?”
“Only for you, Little girl. And because I’ll keep you with me as often as you’ll stay,” Blade told her. “Permanently would be ideal for me.”
“You don’t want me here every day,” she said, walking sideways down the hallway to watch his face.
“I’ll move you in tomorrow if you say so. I’m not planning to sleep alone again.”
“Oh. I like snuggling with you, too. Could we alternate between my apartment and the clubhouse for a while?” she asked.
“Of course. We can decide to live either place. As long as we’re together, Blue Eyes, I’m happy.”
“Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire.” The chanting of her name started the minute they appeared in the gathering room.
“I’m going to guess they’re glad you’re here, Little girl,” Blade told her as he rubbed her back reassuringly.
“Dinner is served,” Gabriel called, shifting everyone’s attention away from Sapphire.
Blade felt her relax and sent his MC brother a nod of appreciation. “Let’s get in line. How about if I pile one plate with food and we can both try everything?”
“Things can’t touch,” she said in horror at that idea.
He hadn’t noticed that she preferred to have her dish with each item separate. He’d have to think about the past meals they’d had together to see why he hadn’t picked up on that. For now, he had an easy solution.
“Gabriel, could I have one of the special plates? A blue one if you have it.”
“Coming right up,” Gabriel opened a cabinet under the long counter where the food was displayed and stood up with a bright blue plate that was molded to have different compartments.
“Me too, Gabriel?” Ivy asked behind her. “I don’t like it when my potatoes get fruit juice on them.”
“How about a green one to match your eyes?” Gabriel suggested.
“Thank you. That’s perfect!” Ivy declared.
Blade offered Sapphire a roll with the tongs, and she pointed to one of the spaces. As they progressed down the display of food, he helped her with some things, and she wanted to serve herself with others. By the time they got close to the end, he noticed she had passed on all the green options. The last dish was a tempting platter of raw vegetables and dip.
“You need some veggies, Sapphire. Do you like baby carrots?” he offered her.
“Too orange,” she answered.
“Celery?”
“Too green.”
“Peppers?”
Sapphire sighed and said, “Only the red ones.”
He put three slices on her plate and pointed at the broccoli.
“Too fuzzy. I’ll take a piece of cauliflower. But just one,” she said quickly.
“Do you want dip?”
“I don’t have a place for it,” she refused.
As if by magic, a small shot glass appeared on her tray. Blade winked at Gabriel. That guy was a pro.
“That will work. Can you put some in for me, Daddy?” Sapphire asked and gasped. She looked around to see if anyone had caught what she’d said. Blade winked at her as he celebrated inside. He was beyond happy that she thought of him as her Daddy.
“Daddy, can I have a container for dip too?” Ivy asked Steele.
“Of course. Gabriel? Another shot glass, please?” Steele called to the man in the kitchen.
“I should put out a bunch of those,” Gabriel suggested and produced a half dozen.
Blade carried his plate and her tray to a big empty table. “I’m going to get us some drinks, Sapphire. Don’t let anyone steal my seat,” he warned playfully. When Sapphire waved a hand, urging him closer, he leaned down to talk to her privately.
“They didn’t say anything about me calling you Daddy,” she whispered urgently.
“And they never will. This is a safe place, Little girl.”
Ivy appeared and said, “Your Daddy’s there, right?”
When Sapphire nodded, Ivy said, “Can I sit next to you on this side and then my Daddy can take that chair there?”
“I’d love that,” Sapphire answered.
As Blade walked away with Steele to get their drinks, Ivy asked what Sapphire’s teddy’s name was. The two were chattering happily as the guys walked out of hearing range.
“That Little girl of yours is going to settle in perfectly,” Steele observed, whacking Blade on the shoulder companionably.
“Perfect is exactly what she is.”