Chapter 70
BLAIZE
THREE WEEKS LATER
Everyone was content with moving on like there wasn’t danger screaming at every corner.
Everly was out there planning, and we were running around with our tails tucked between our legs.
I needed to find her so I could end this.
My girl deserved to have a worry free life where she could focus on school and her friendships instead of waiting for someone to kill her.
Three weeks had passed since Hunter and I shared her, and I knew I needed to get back and focus on the issue at hand while still maintaining our relationship.
I needed to find Everly before she hurt Kadence again.
There wasn’t any evidence of an attack or whispers in the air of one, but Everly was a conniving bitch.
She wanted to play a game of cat and mouse, but I wasn’t playing.
Everly made her bed, and she would lay in it with a bullet between her eyes.
She would die, and she was lucky I wanted her gone so I could move on with my life or she would be tortured until she begged for mercy.
She was smart.
She planned this since I killed Elijah.
Kadence thought I was okay, but it was the story I wanted her to believe.
I was far from fucking fine. Being this happy with risk dancing in the air, teasing me and waiting, was dangerous.
Our seas were rocky when Elijah was making his hatred known.
Everly was fucking silent. I hated being in the dark and not in control of the situation before me.
If Kadence got hurt, or…no. I refused to allow anything to happen to her because of Everly’s pointless desire for revenge.
Everly would die just like her pathetic brother the moment I could wrap my hands around her fucking neck.
Damon kept me updated along with the other territories. Everly had to be hiding in plain sight, or someone was a goddamn traitor. No one had raised alarm, but again, a wolf could be in sheep's clothing.
I walked into the clubhouse seeing my men and the women who've joined in recent weeks laughing and playing pool.
It was nice seeing things get back to normal, even though there was still a void.
Sin and Ranger were still angry, but they were trying to move on and live for Layla.
I knew the two of them would find another girl that stole their breath away.
Guilt still tugged in my chest because it was my fault Everly killed her.
Neither of them blamed me, but I blamed myself.
I walked into Hawke’s office to see he was on the phone yelling at someone, which was an odd sight to see. “What’s up, boss?”
I arched my brow. “Lover’s quarrel?”
“These idiots are ready to move past everything like we don’t have a threat out there. Our guys are on edge because we still haven't got vengeance for Layla, but the other territories want to forget and move on.”
“It’s tense. I know she’s out there, watching me. Waiting for the perfect opportunity.”
“How did we not know he had a brother? I worked with him for years and he never mentioned a brother.”
I shrugged. “People who know your weakness can exploit you. Elijah did it to me by taking my wife and daughter. Everly did it by getting close to Hunter and then sending Dominic to kill Kadence.”
Elijah West didn’t have an ounce of sympathy in his demoralized heart.
He was Satan incarnate, with no morality or care for human life.
If they were in his way, he would manipulate and find their breaking points.
Killing him was the greatest joy I’ve had in this life, but the wound he left behind was still sore.
Now, my only mission in this life was protecting Kadence and killing Everly before she could harm her to get to me.
I never thought I’d have this opportunity again in life. Falling in love after a great loss was hard, even harder when I was a stubborn son of a bitch who pushed her away because I was mortified by the feeling in my chest.
“Did she give any signs?” Hawke asked.
I shook my head, thinking of every interaction the two of us have had in the past. She was always snarky and bitchy towards me, but it didn’t scream traitor.
Everly practically panted after Hunter like a cat in heat without giving me a second look.
Hunter was more approachable than I was, but she allowed the flirting girls and slept with them.
Kadence was the only one who ever made me feel anything for an employee.
Being with Kadence now was something I never imagined possible.
“Everly was a bitch, but she never screamed crazy sociopath. Even Hunter didn’t see the signs and she was her domme.”
“If she made it past Hunter, she’s a fantastic actress. No one knew so don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“Until she’s found, I can’t focus on anything else.” My phone dinged, and I checked the message from Kadence. She wanted to have a date, and I didn’t blame her.
I’d been paranoid the last few weeks waiting for Everly to attack and hurt Kadence again, but that had yet to happen.
Kadence had the patience of a saint, because even I could admit when I was not the best to be around.
Talk about character development. Who knew it would take a bratty submissive to grab the reins and pull me out of my downward spiral.
“Go home,” Hawke said, snapping me from my thoughts. “It’s nice to see you smiling again, so go home to your girl.”
Kadence was waiting for me in our bedroom, where she built a blanket fort in the center of the floor.
The black dress she was wearing hugged her curves, making my mouth water.
She strung up lights and set out a platter of fresh fruit.
I raised an eyebrow, and she shrugged, taking a strawberry to her lips.
“My inner child is a hopeless romantic, so I wanted to do something nice without anyone disturbing us.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“You’ve been stressed, and as much as we’d like to use sex to distract ourselves, in reality, sometimes we need to breathe. So tonight, no sex, just talking and cuddling.”
I had the willpower of the gods, because we don’t end up having sex.
My chest was lighter after spending time with the woman who was patient with me.
I’d never admit it, but this was exactly what I needed after being on edge for weeks.
She was the calming embrace after a brutal storm, and I was never going to let her go.
“Princess.” She mumbled sleepily against my chest in response. “I love you.”
“I love you, more than you know.” Her voice was low, husky with sleep as her fingers gently traced a heart on my forearm. “I’m gonna go to the pier tomorrow.”
I looked at her. “I don’t want you going alone.”
She pressed her lips together. “I won’t be there long, and I’ll take your car.
Tomorrow is Nathan’s birthday.” Her voice was low.
“It’s stupid, but I like going to the pier and talking to him.
I just…five minutes is all I need. I’ll be okay.
Besides, you taught me how to fight. I’m not how I was before.
I can fight this time if someone attacks me. ”
“I don’t like it, but I can’t force you not to do something you want. I’ll be at the clubhouse to talk with Hawke and keep looking for Everly so I am down the road.”
“You’re paranoid, you know that?”
“With good reason.”
I wanted her safe. And I would do everything in my power to keep her safe.