Chapter 25
DELILAH
This place is intense. The people are intense, and I’m overwhelmed.
I recognize a few faces, but most of them are new to me.
It’s like a candy shop for men and women here.
Fit guys and pretty girls coming together like a breaking storm.
I am under their spell and can only stare around in shock as I witness a scene many would never understand.
Pretty girls laughing with impossibly handsome men, a few openly making out and many alone, watching the game or chatting with friends.
The beer is flowing, drinks apparently freely available, and then there are the couples who are standing in huddles, loud laughter breaking out, expressions of amusement and toleration.
Music thumps, adding to the chaos, and the air is thick with easy tension.
It’s a lot to digest, and then it all changes, and the air stills as one couple makes their way into the room.
Ryder King and his wife Ashton enter, and the respect on the men’s faces is evident as he acknowledges every greeting, his hand tightly holding hers. She is utterly gorgeous, sweet, pretty and friendly, and as they draw near, she catches my eye.
“Hey.”
They head our way, and I swallow hard.
“How are you, honey?”
She appears concerned, and I swallow my nerves. “I’m good, thanks.”
“It’s a lot to take in the first time you enter the bar.”
Her gaze is loaded with sympathy, and I nod. “It is.”
She waves at another woman and calls out, “Bonnie, come and meet Delilah.”
The men are deep in conversation and so I turn to the approaching woman who is obviously heavily pregnant. She moves away from Snake’s side, so I’m guessing this is his wife.
“Hey, Delilah.”
Her smile is infectious, her red hair striking, and she pats her belly. “Excuse me, I’m walking for three of us and progress is slow.”
“Congratulations. When are they due?”
“A month from tomorrow, if I last that long.”
She grins. “It’s not easy, but worth it.”
Ashton nods, her smile full of concern. “You should be sitting down and taking it easy.”
“Then why call me over?”
She rolls her eyes as Ashton giggles.
“I appreciate the welcome.” I add with gratitude.
Bonnie sighs. “I wish I had more time to spend with you, but I’m guessing there’s no shortage of offers.”
“True enough.”
I smile. “Everyone has been very kind and welcoming.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Ashton slides her gaze to Blade, who is deep in conversation with her husband. “How are things going with Blade?”
Heat travels down my spine as I struggle with the innocent question, and as Bonnie chuckles, Ashton rolls her eyes. “Okay. Forget I asked.”
“No, um, it’s well, not like that. He’s been so kind. I don’t know what I would have done without his help.”
“It’s okay.” Ashton shakes her head. “We’ve all been there, honey. I hope it works out.”
Sunday heads our way, and I notice her smile is less bright, and Ashton and Bonnie share a look between them.
“What can I get you?”
Sunday sounds happy, but it’s obvious something is weighing heavily on her mind, and Bonnie leans in and says softly, “You told him then.”
Sunday nods miserably. “I did, and then he stormed out, so I guess, well, that’s it then.”
“You don’t know that.” Bonnie reassures her. “You still have a couple of weeks.”
“It’s okay.”
Sunday forces a brighter smile onto her face.
“If it’s meant to happen, it will. If not, well, I have a bright future ahead of me.”
Ashton leans in and huffs, “I could murder Razor. He is besotted with that poor girl and she is the same, yet he won’t make it official.”
“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 head out 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.”
“I know, it’s just—”
My shoulder sag and tears burn in my eyes.
“For some reason, I don’t want to be alone. It’s as if something terrible will happen and I won’t be able to defend myself.”
“Defend yourself?”
His eyes narrow and I catch my breath.
“It’s as if my memory is playing tricks on me and telling me that bad things happen when I’m alone.”
I’m shocked when he reaches out and pulls me close against him, his arms wrapping around my body like a welcome home. The last time this happened we were at the cabin and I sigh with relief. I’m safe here. Blade is home to me, and I hope for his sake he never realizes that is how I think of him.