Chapter 21
DELILAH
Ialready love it here. They have made me so welcome, and there is nobody I haven’t warmed to.
As we eat, I notice a few women sitting together, their curious glances heading my way.
I’m guessing they are the whores Blade speaks of, and I’m uncomfortable because what if one of them has a thing with Blade?
She will hate that he’s devoting all his attention to me, and after a while, I have to ask.
“Those women.”
He doesn’t even look but shrugs. “What about them?”
“They must be wondering who I am.”
He turns, raising his hand.
“Hey, girls, this is Delilah, say hi.”
They must collectively roll their eyes and then scoot back their chairs, and head our way.
I stop chewing because every single one of them is gorgeous and carry themselves with a confidence I could sure use some of.
“Hey, Delilah, I’m Bethany. I’m pleased to meet you.”
I smile my response as they introduce themselves in turn.
Sally, Carla, and Britney. They grab a chair and join us and peer at me with interest.
“We heard what happened. That must have been a lot to deal with.”
Bethany appears to be the spokesperson, and I shrug.
“It wasn’t pleasant for sure. I’m just so grateful The Reapers saved me.”
“I bet that gratitude faded pretty damn quick.”
Sally giggles and slides her gaze to Blade. “Bad luck for being stuck with Blade. I bet the conversation flowed.”
Blade says nothing and doesn’t appear bothered, and despite myself, my lips twitch under the pressure of containing my amusement.
“He was very kind.”
Carla nods. “He is honey. They all are. Welcome to the candy shop. It’s okay to pick and mix, just saying.”
Blade growls and turns to Carla, and she flicks a glance between us and smiles softly.
“I see.”
Britney grins. “This will be interesting.”
Bethany jerks her head toward their table. “We’ll leave to finish up but come and say hi when we meet in the bar later. I can show you the ropes. Bartending is fun, and if you’re gonna take any job here, it’s better than getting stuck babysitting.”
She pulls a face, and Carla grins.
“Bartending is babysitting, Bethany. The Reapers are the biggest kids in the compound.”
They leave, and Blade says nothing and carries on eating, and I wonder if he has, well, been with any of those women. I really don’t want to know. I must accept he’s been with a lot of them because, quite frankly, who wouldn’t?
We finish up and I must admit the food is good and, on our way out, I wave to Lou who blows me a kiss. I try not to look at the various men scattered around the room. A few of them call out to Blade and say hi to me, but we don’t approach them.
To be honest, I’m happy about that because this place is fraying my nerves, and I hope one day, it becomes normal to me. If I had my wish, I would never leave because for the first time in what seems like forever, I feel at peace with myself and happy with exactly where I am.
* * *
Blade gives me the guided tour, and I marvel at the sheer size of this place.
The gym, the various beauty rooms, and there’s even a games room where a few of the guys are shooting pool.
Blade whisks me through the rooms before anyone can stop us, and I’m grateful for that.
It’s a little taster of what’s in store, and I suppose tonight will be an interesting one because I’m guessing we will be heading to the infamous Reaper bar.
As we walk back toward the accommodation blocks, I blink twice when I notice a familiar face heading our way.
“Drake. Mr. Bellingham!”
I call out and he smiles as he approaches.
Drake Bellingham went undercover as the history teacher at Rockwell, and we worked together to bring down Angela and Jenna Sloane. He caught feelings for Imogen, Flash’s daughter, and I wonder how it worked out for them.
“Hey, Delilah, I heard you were back.”
He smiles at Blade. “Good to see you, bro.”
Blade merely nods, which doesn’t appear to concern Drake at all. I guess they’re used to his incommunicative ways.
“You’re looking a lot better than the last time I saw you.”
“Thank God.” I shiver. “I never want to see that place again.”
“You and me both.”
He shakes his head. “Imogen’s been asking to catch up with you. She’s in town now with Cassie, but they’re dying to catch up and check you’re okay.”
“I would really love that.”
He turns to Blade. “We should arrange it. The girls are banned from the bar, so perhaps you could bring Delilah to Imogen’s at, say, seven?”
Blade nods. “No problem.”
Drake grins. “I’ll tell them. I’m glad you’re here, Delilah, and if you need anything, come and find me, or any of the girls. We all want you to be okay.”
He heads off down the path toward the building we vacated, and Blade grunts. “Are you okay with that?”
“Sure. I’d love to see them again.”
He checks the time. “You have one hour. How about I show you my room, so you know where to come if you need to?”
“I’d like that.”
I’m suddenly a little shy because it’s one thing being with Blade out here in the open. At the cabin that was also out in the open to a degree, but when the door closes to his room, I wonder if things will change.
* * *
The Reaper’s block is similar to the whores and as we make our way inside, we head up a huge staircase where it branches off at either side. The stairs go up another level, but we stay on the first floor and approach one of the rooms on the right.
Blade’s name is on the door, and I notice the one next to him is Razor. That figures, I suppose.
We don’t see anyone, which I’m grateful for because I don’t want to be seen going into Blade’s room, no matter how innocent it is.
As we head inside, I do a double take because this isn’t a room, it’s a small condo. It has a couch set before a giant television screen, a kitchen unit with a counter separating it from the main room, and a door to the side that I’m guessing must be his bedroom.
“You live well at the Rubicon.” I remark, and he nods.
“I told you, we are paid well for our services, and money is never a consideration.”
I shiver. Blood money, I’m guessing, but I can’t complain about that.
I wander around smiling to myself because this room is all Blade.
The walls are painted a deep charcoal, the couch is the same color, and there are no feminine touches at all.
A huge painting of a Harley Davidson takes pride of place on the wall opposite the screen, and there are no photographs.
The kitchenette is sparse, with nothing decorating the countertop and only one bar stool propped up against it.
“You don’t entertain?” I ask, and he shrugs.
“No. This is my personal space. If I want company, I go to the bar or–”
His voice trails off, and I take a deep breath.
“Not here?”
He knows what I’m referring to and shakes his head. “No.”
He offers no further explanation, but for some reason, I’m touched that he suggested we come here tonight. Perhaps I am the first, and I’m honored.
Not that I’m here for, well, anything other than sleep, so maybe that doesn’t count.
He drops onto the couch and leans forward, the muscles rippling in his arms as he leans on his thighs.
“What do you think of the place?”
“What, the Rubicon, or your condo?”
“Everything.”
I’m surprised that he asks, and I smile. “I love it here. What’s not to.”
I detect a hint of relief in his expression, but I may just be kidding myself. It’s important to me what Blade thinks, and I’m hoping for some reason that he wants me to stay.
He nods toward the other door.
“My bedroom is through there. It’s up to you if you want to stay tonight and if you do, well, I can take the couch.”
I’m not sure why I’m so disappointed at that and wonder if he’s letting me down gently. I mean, those women; they are gorgeous, every single one of them, and my heart sinks.
He doesn’t want me.
“I couldn’t take your bed; perhaps I should, well, grow some balls as they say and brave it out alone in my room.”
He raises his eyes.
“Is that what you want?”
NO!
I want to scream it, but I don’t want him to offer me a room out of obligation.
“Perhaps it’s for the best.”
He nods, no expression on his unreadable face.
“That’s your choice, darlin’.”
I hate how this conversation turned out. I don’t want to sleep without Blade. I’ve gotten used to him being beside me, and this place may be welcoming, but it’s still quite terrifying.
“Well, if you change your mind.”
He stands, and I catch my breath because Blade is one hell of a magnificent beast, and here in his natural habitat, it only reinforces the legend. He is a warrior, a brute even, hiding a heart made of pure gold.
He hides it well, and frankly, one glimpse at him is enough to terrify even the bravest of souls.
His muscles move of their own accord, and his legs fill his jeans as well as other important parts that I try so hard not to sneak glances at.
His t-shirt shrivels under his frame, and the black Reaper jacket looks good on him.
The bandana he uses to tame his wild hair is sexy as fuck, and as for the dark shadow on his jaw and the piercing blue eyes, I’m surrendering before I even put up a fight.
I am mesmerized by him and doubt that will ever change.