Chapter 26 #2
The important part, according to everything in Fin’s world.
“ Here , you do the honors.” He held it out with both hands.
It was barely a foot long, but heavy. I took it by the hilt.
The span was too small for my big hands, but probably perfect for Rose’s .
I fiddled with the catch that kept the knife locked in place.
It was a crescent moon, hooked around a mounted black stone.
In the dim light, I couldn’t tell if the stone was clear or not, but it sparkled like a well deep in shadow.
“ That’s onyx. Edie says it wards of bad juju. Sierra won’t touch it. Says it’s cursed.”
Perfect . I slipped the knife free and admired the veins in the steel. Damascus knives were always my favorite. The intricacies of each fold told a story. The honed edges glittered.
“ Best be careful. It ain’t been blooded yet. It’ll be thirsty.”
Fin and his superstitions. I slipped it back in the scabbard before handing it to Jackson . He admired it for a little too long. He went as far as to balance the unsheathed dagger on an outstretched finger. Not by the tip, but at a sweet spot above the bolster. “ It’s a little blade-heavy.”
“ That’s better for cutting. She ain’t got the upper arm strength for stabbing.
” Fin snatched the blade out of his hand and spun it before slipping it into its protective case.
“ I got a thigh belt for it, too. She can wear it under her skirts. Speaking of…” He set the knife on top of the jewelry bag and pulled out a long velvet dress.
Betty Jo had outdone herself. Unless … I eyed the fantasy-themed embroidery. “ Did Edie make this?”
“ Yup . And the jewelry. She heard about your woman from Betty Jo and got busy.”
Busy wasn’t the word for it. More like obsessive. I swallowed. Her work was not cheap. “ How much?”
Fin made a noise that told me nothing. Then he clarified, “ Indy doesn’t know.”
That meant Edie gave it away.
“ And when he does?”
Fin shrugged. “ I figure eight grand.”
Holy Frigg . At least it wasn’t five or six digits.
Jackson slapped my arm with the back of his hand. “ Kate’s wedding dress was nine large. Are you wussing out?”
“ Fuck off.” I pulled out my wallet and began counting out Benjamins . “ There’s three grand. If Indy bitches, shut him up for me.”
“ That’d take another two hundred.” Fin eyed my near-empty wallet.
I pulled out another pair of bills and shoved them in his hand. “ Fucker .”
“ Nice doing business with you, Bear .” He tipped an imaginary hat and handed off the box, jewelry and all.
It was almost morning before I slipped into bed with Rose .
I dragged the rounded nub at the end of the scabbard along her bare skin.
It skipped over her ribs as I slid it lower.
The sheet pulled away, revealing a breast. And that I couldn’t resist. I put the knife where she’d see it once she opened her eyes and bent over her body to suck on that pretty puckered nipple.
“ Bear .” She slipped her fingers into my hair. It was automatic. The one place she was guaranteed to know immediately who was assaulting her. She played with the beads near my ears. Her eyes opened. “ Hi .”
“ Hey you. Got a present.”
Her forehead creased. “ Please don’t tell me you killed Carl and cut off his finger or something.” Her eyes darted around to make sure I wasn’t bloody or worse.
“ Not that good of a present. And I’d bring you his lungs. After he suffocates from a Blood Eagle . Here .” I put the knife in her hand. Fin helped me attach the belt so she could wear it right away.
She squirmed out from underneath me and turned on the lamp to get a better look at it. Her breath caught. “ It’s beautiful.” Her fingers stroked down the engraved surface, halting on each decorative inlay and mounted stone.
“ Check out the blade.”
She caressed the latch stone first.
“ Onyx .” At least I sounded like I knew what I’d bought.
She grinned. “ That keeps evil spirits away.”
According to Edie , yeah. I didn’t know if I’d ever tell her Sierra’s theory.
Rose slipped the latch open and tugged the knife out. Her eyes went a little wide as she took in the sharp edges and the intricate striations of tempered steel. “ Wow . No one has a blade like this.”
“ Just you.”
I didn’t dare lean in for a kiss. Old wives’ tales or not, Fin’s blades were always sharp. And with it unsheathed in her hand, I let it own a healthy distance.
“ Thank you. And thank Fin for me. Please ?” She put it back together and spun the locking mechanism into place. Only then did I breathe easier. I stripped the sheet down and begged her to model it for me.
“ I kind of have a kink for armed women.” No sooner than I said that, I began to sweat. Why did I say something so …honest?
Rose crawled out of bed, stood naked beside it, and strapped the belt onto her thigh.
Then she posed.
I’d touched that goddess. And I’d get to touch her again soon.
“ Wait .” She slipped her hair free and unbraided it. The waves turned into curls as she shook out the mass.
Now she was beyond perfect.
I shut my mouth and swallowed a couple of times to talk. “ I want you.”
“ Right now?” She twirled a lock of hair between her fingers. Her toes dug into the carpet.
“ Fuck , yes.” Now , always, forever. But I’d settle for right the fuck now.