Chapter 78
KADENCE
Ipicked up Fallon from the clubhouse before going to the cafe to meet Annika.
Fallon looked healthier and no longer on the brink of death, but she was jumpy with certain sounds.
She wore a low cut shirt, and I saw her surgical scar on her chest. Pain gnawed at my chest. She almost died because of Everly. Because of me.
Sometimes I wondered what would happen if I never panicked or if Hunter never came to my rescue. I hated thinking the worst case scenario, but when the woman I loved could make grown men cower in fear…I saw what she was capable of, and I never wanted to be on the receiving end again.
I shook it from my head. There was no reason to linger on the past. We moved on, and while it did put a fracture in our relationship, Blaize mended it.
She saved me multiple times, killed Dominic, and loved me like I deserved.
Blaize was working hard to be the woman I deserved, and that was more than enough.
Annika leaped into my arms in a bone-crushing hug before giving Fallon a softer hug. “Oh, I’ve missed girl time.”
“I’ve missed it, too,” Fallon agreed. “It’s nice being out of the house, even if I am scared shitless.”
I squeezed her hand softly. “Hey, you know we can always have a girls’ day at the clubhouse.”
“I can’t be a recluse for the rest of my life. I never thought a bullet would keep me down. You would think I’d be scared of the Reapers with how burly my ex was, but men do not scare me.”
“Well, you have us to help you, and once Everly is dead, then we won’t have to be scared anymore,” I reassured her. “I wish you didn’t get hurt, and I wish Layla was still here.”
“Hey—” Fallon nudged me, “—none of that. It’s not your fault. Layla will get her peace and Everly will die for taking her from us. We will always remember Layla and her life.” It didn’t help the guilt. I knew it wasn’t my fault, but Everly and her partner did it because of me.
“I know. I’m sorry for killing the vibe.”
Annika grabbed my hand this time. “We can worry about the rest of the world later. Right now, we focus on quality time.” Annika sipped her coffee. “I’ve missed you, but I know waking you with the person you love is better than waking up to an empty bed.”
“It is definitely nice waking up with Blaize and not waking up to the sound of you fucking one or all of your men.”
Fallon laughed, clutching her chest dramatically. “You’ve heard them fucking?”
“I’ve seen them fucking with Blaize’s fingers buried in my pussy, but I play the music.
It felt like I was invading their privacy, which was dumb to think ‘cause she likes it,” I told her.
“Anyways, I’ve missed you, too. We need to plan more girls’ nights.
I’ve been okay. Finding out Everly was behind everything hurt.
It felt like I was stabbed in the back because I trusted her.
Hell, I used her to make Blaize jealous. ”
“What did she do?” Fallon asked. “Hawke never told me. Said he didn’t want me to worry about it, but I know it meant he didn’t want me to be pissed off.”
“Hawke kidnapped me, basically. He was pulsating with rage as he slammed me against the wall and drugged me with something. I woke up chained in the basement of the clubhouse. I had a panic attack because I was terrified, and I ended up cutting my wrist. Blaize triggered me when she ripped my babydoll dress, and I went into a panic attack.”
Fallon tensed next to me as fiery anger flashed through her blue eyes. “I’m going to fucking castrate the asshole.”
I grabbed her hand, giving her a thankful smile. “There’s no reason. I’ve healed from it. I’ve made Blaize pay, and Hawke had to see you in a hospital bed. I understand why they did it, but they reacted horribly. There’s no reason to be angry anymore.”
“I’m still going to torment him just for you, babe. I still can’t believe Everly did this,” Fallon sneered.
“She fooled everyone,” I admitted. “Hunter was fucking her, and didn’t even know.
She had a goal, and she accomplished it.
The dumb bitch should’ve left Dom out of it if she wanted more time to sabotage.
I’m just glad they know it’s her so she can’t hurt anyone under their nose anymore.
I want to be happy without the fear and without Blaize’s paranoia.
I get why, but I want to be happy with my girlfriend. ”
My phone chimed, and I smiled at Blaize’s name. “She’s about to ditch us, Fallon.” Annika laughed.
I looked at the text message, and there was a picture on the cliffside with a picnic set up. “She has a date set up for us. She said she wanted to do something special for us today.”
“Go,” Fallon said. “We can do something together at the clubhouse. I’ll make one of Annika’s guys bring me home or call Hawke. Go see your girl.”
“I love you guys.
I grabbed my things and headed back to Blaize’s Jeep with a fluttery feeling in my belly. A picnic? Blaize didn’t exactly scream hopeless romantic, but she did have certain aspects of one. Either way, I didn’t care. Anything she did made me fall deeper in love with her.