Chapter 32
SUNDAY
Blade is back, and he’s not alone. The news races through the compound like wildfire, and I wonder what Razor thinks of that.
By all accounts, he hasn’t dropped Delilah’s hand since they walked through those doors, which intrigues me.
Blade is so like his twin, and it will be interesting if they have the same commitment issues.
However, when Blade walks into the Reaper bar, he’s alone and my heart sinks. Perhaps the rumors weren’t true. Maybe he is just like his brother after all.
Razor doesn’t turn, but I can tell by the way his fist tenses he’s aware. Probably because of the calls from the other Reapers as Blade works his way toward us.
He draws near, and I beckon him across, and as he slaps Razor hard on the back, he winks at me.
“Good to see you, darlin’. I don’t suppose there’s a cold beer with my name on it.”
“Coming right up.”
I leave them to catch up, and it doesn’t take me long to rustle up the beer and catch Razor grumbling that Blade took too long.
I raise my eyes as I hand Blade the beer.
“He hates it when you’re not here.”
Blade nods, only too aware of his brother’s ways, and I lean on the bar and peer at him with concern.
“How’s Delilah?”
“Struggling to remember who she is.”
“Word is she lost her memory.”
I wipe the counter and sigh. “That must suck.”
I get called away before he can answer me, Razor’s gaze, as always, following every move I make.
I serve Jet, who is besotted with Lucy, and as I head back to the twins, Blade signals for another beer.
I grab a cold one and head their way and, noting their expressions, ask, “What did I miss?”
“Nothing, darlin’.”
He drains the bottle and then slams it on the counter.
“I’m off to shower and grab some food. I’ll leave you two to, well, whatever it is you do.”
Razor catches my attention and smiles, and I disguise my rising giggle with a toss of my eyes.
* * *
Later, as we head back to my room for a change of scene, I ask a question that’s been burning on my tongue the entire night.
“Is Delilah okay? Did Blade tell you?”
“She’s good.”
I huff out a breath. “You could donate a little more information to the cause, you know.”
“The cause?”
I giggle at his confusion.
“The gossip cause. Honestly, Razor, you had the perfect opportunity to give me the heads-up on what happened at the cabin, and you blew it.”
He nudges me, and as I stumble, his hand instinctively grabs mine and pulls me close to his side.
I love that about him. He says nothing, but his actions shout louder than any words could. He always has my best interests at heart; at least that’s how he makes me feel.
* * *
It’s not until the next evening that I meet Delilah for the first time, and as I work behind the bar, the general thrum of voices changes as two people enter the bar. Blade is holding the hand of an extremely attractive woman; his possession obvious, his ownership clear.
Something tugs inside me as they move through the pack.
Like Razor, he guards her as if she is the most valuable thing in the world to him, and I swallow the lump in my throat.
I’m rooting for them, of course I am, but if Blade can make such a public statement after just a few days, why is his brother struggling?
As they head straight toward Razor, he turns, and his eye is drawn to their clasped hands. He shakes his head and says politely, “Hey, darlin’. It’s good to meet you.”
I laugh, smiling at the newcomer. “Well, congratulations, honey. You got a whole-assed sentence out of this guy. I’m impressed.”
I wink and hold out my hand. “I’m Sunday and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“Delilah.”
She is obviously nervous, and Razor is interested in the situation and his attention is firmly focused on the dynamic between the couple.
It’s definitely making Delilah nervous and for some reason, Blade is also uncomfortable, causing me to lean over the bar and say with a smile.
“What can I get you, honey? I make a mean cocktail if you’re interested. ”
“Sure. I’d love that.”
I wink and then turn to Blade. “What about you, Blade, your usual?”
He merely nods, causing me to roll my eyes. “I bet it was a blast at your family table.”
I leave them to it and head off to make the drinks, knowing how nervous Delilah must be right now. It’s obvious something happened between them. Blade is an honorable guy though, and I can already tell he’s fighting his feelings for her, and I sigh inside.
Why are these two brothers so afraid of love? I swear I want to knock sense into both of them, but that would be impossible.
With a sigh, I head back, carrying two beers for the guys and my speciality cocktail for Delilah, complete with ice and an umbrella that raises a smile on her face.
“Wow, that looks amazing.”
“One for Dutch courage. You probably need it right now.”
She grasps the drink, dropping her hand from Blade’s, and I don’t miss the way he appears unhappy about that.
I lean on the bar, intent on helping to lighten the situation.
“I’m happy to show you how it all works here. I have a room in the same block, and you are welcome to knock on my door any hour of the day. I may not be there at night though—just saying.”
I swing my gaze to Razor, who, as usual, doesn’t respond, causing me to roll my eyes. “For some reason, I can’t shake this guy.”
Delilah grins as Razor shrugs. “Nothing’s stopping you, darlin’.”
I hate how his words wound me, so dismissive of what we have. As if this is just a casual fling and not my personal love story with a man I am crazy about.
For some reason, I’m pissed, and the conversation I shared with Ryder in his office plants a seed in my brain, and I pull my shoulders up and say defiantly. “Well, he’ll have to find a different body to play with soon because I’m out of here shortly.”
Silence greets my statement, and I note how Razor tenses, and his glare could cut his beard way sharper than a razor.
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you, honey? I’m heading home in two weeks.
Ryder found me a place at beauty college and has arranged an apartment and everything.
I’m starting again and it’s all thanks to the Reapers.
So, it’s been fun while it lasted but well, I suppose that’s all it was and a girl can’t live on fun forever, you know. ”
Before he can respond, I answer a call from one of the other Reapers and I blink my tears away. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Razor push through the crowd, and my heart sinks. I’ve pushed him too far.
To be honest, I feel like a fool now. There is no new beginning, but the more I think of it, the more it makes sense.
Razor will never commit to me. It’s obvious that this is as good as it gets.
I’m surprised when a soft voice calls me over, and I notice Ashton and Bonnie watching the scene play out.
As I head their way, Ashton smiles sympathetically.
“Still no luck in getting that guy of yours to commit?”
“No. To be honest, I just made it worse. I told him I was leaving, courtesy of the Reaper scholarship program.”
“Is that what you want?”
“It wasn’t but the more I think of it, the more sense it makes.”
Bonnie nods, her sympathy welcome.
“Perhaps it’s what you both need. It would be a wake-up call for Razor, and he would have to declare his feelings to get you to stay.”
“But what if it doesn’t work?”
Ashton is worried, and I shrug. “Then I get to do something I’ve always wanted.”
I smile at her shyly. “Do you think Ryder would agree?”
“Of course he would, but only if you are one hundred percent sure it’s what you want.”
I stare at the door Razor just stormed through and sigh. “It’s probably the only way to end this. Either force him to admit he has feelings for me, or cut my losses and begin a new life as far away from men as possible.”