Page 25 of Blade
His silence causes nerves to stab me inside, and he says gruffly, “Whatever you think, this is the best for Delilah.”
“Whatever you say, Prez.”
He cuts the call, and my fist grip the phone as if it will break.
“Is everything okay?”
I almost don’t hear her through the blood roaring in my head, and I nod slowly. “I’m taking you home tomorrow.”
“Home?”
I sense the fear in her and shake my head. “My home, darlin’. You’ll be safer at the compound.”
“Why not here?”
“Ryder didn’t say, but understand one thing, he has your best interests at heart, and if he says you’re safer there, you can bet your ass he’s right.”
“So, we only have one night.”
Her voice falters, and she sounds so desolate I hate the way it hits me inside.
“We only have one more night here, darlin’. Tomorrow a new chapter begins, and it’s the one where you get your life back.”
“What if I don’t want my life back?”
“I’m not talking about the one you had before. I’m talking about your new one, and if you never want to leave the safety of our compound, you don’t have to. It’s a safe place, and you have my word on that.”
“I hope you’re right.”
You and me both, darlin’.
I say the words in my mind because she doesn’t need my doubts on the subject. Whatever happens to Delilah next will only be because it’s right for her, no matter what my feelings are on the matter; it’s out of my control.
The call has ruined the easy atmosphere and replaced it with uncertainty. I don’t like the tension building and hate the sense of losing control. What happens next could spell trouble for the lady who is relying on us to help her. I have never met an angel we have failed, and I don’t intend on her being the first.
“Would you like another beer?”
She jumps up and angles her head toward the cabin. “I’m fetching coffee, but, well, you may prefer something stronger.”
I glance at the bottle in my hand and grin. “Something stronger is not a beer, darlin’. Crack open the whiskey and then you’re close, but no, I should keep a clear head for the ride home tomorrow.”
“Coffee then?”
Her soft voice hits me hard because I’m not used to women caring for me. I live among many Reapers who have old ladies and the ones who seek the attention of the self-styled whores who enjoy the candy we offer. But Delilah is no whore, despite what she may think. There’s a sophistication to her tone, a vulnerability in the way she holds herself, and if anything, she appears more like a lady.
“Coffee would be good.”
She turns and I hate how my attention is drawn to her ass, and I sigh inside. Ryder is probably right. The safest place for her is at the compound because I may be honorable most of the time but holed up here in the wilderness with a woman like her, will only result in one outcome and no matter how much I tell myself I’m a gentleman, I’m not.
She’s back with the coffee in no time, and as she hands it to me, her fingers brush against mine, and her eyes sparkle in the firelight, her long lashes damp. She’s been crying.
Why does that drive a stake through my heart?
“Hey.”
I peer at her with concern, noting the slight quiver to her lower lip, and before I can check myself, I reach for her hand and pull her onto my lap. My arm wraps around her, as I hold the mug of coffee in my other hand, and she curls up, both hands wrapped around her mug, and sighs.
“I’m scared, Blade.”
