Page 88 of Property of Blade


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Blade chuckles a low, almost conspiratorial sound.“Yeah, those shows aren’t exactly documentaries.”

I manage a small smile.“Definitely not.”

He leans in slightly, his voice dropping lower.“You can ask anything, Hannah.We’re an open book, even when it seems complicated.”

His words sink in, and for a moment, I consider telling him everything swirling in my head.But it’s too much, too soon.“Maybe...I just need time to figure it all out.”

Blade nods again, his smile more reassuring than I expected.“Take all the time you need.We’re here.”

His words wrap around me, comforting in a way I didn’t know I needed.Despite the chaos in my mind and the weight of my doubts, I find myself feeling grateful for this unexpected sense of belonging, even if I know he’s not telling me everything.

“Tomorrow, I’d like to head into town.I need a few things, and I want to check on my house and grab some clothes.”Grace hops up onto Vex’s lap, making herself comfortable.I reach out and give her head a gentle pat.“And she’s got a harness I’m training her to walk outside with.Don’t want her getting lost.We’d never find her up here.”

“We’d find her,” Chrome says without missing a beat.

I raise an eyebrow skeptically.“How?”

“I’m a good tracker.Even cats leave footprints.”Chrome stuffs a chunk of garlic bread into his mouth, then glances down at his plate, completely unfazed.

With a shake of my head, I finish my meal, letting the sounds of their banter fill the space around me.Rooster can’t seem to help himself, always poking at someone to get a rise.Prophet, true to his title as the MC’s chaplain, is the only one who seems capable of running interference.He just smiles that calm, knowing grin, and somehow, it’s enough to make the guys back off or drop whatever argument they were picking at.Hollywood, for all his tough-guy act, can’t resist throwing a few teasing jabs, especially at Scout.

Blade squeezes my knee, the warmth of his hand a comfort I didn’t know I needed.“You look tired.”

“I’m beat,” I admit, the exhaustion I’ve been pushing aside all evening finally catching up with me.

Blade’s gaze flicks around the table, his voice low but commanding.“Who’s on kitchen duty?”

Without missing a beat, Hollywood tosses a piece of garlic bread at Scout.“Scout’s turn!”

“Why?”Scout grumbles, swiping the bread out of the air and glaring at Hollywood.

“ ’Cause you’re never fucking here, man,” Hollywood shoots back, smirking.“Besides, I’ll help, and you can tell me all about Mira, considering I’ve never met her.”

Scout stands, rolling his eyes.“Do you blame me?You look like a fucking god.”

“Yeah, but I’m not you.Mira loves you,” Hollywood adds, leaning back in his chair with a cocky grin.

Scout scoffs, then shrugs.“I know, but I needed her to know that before she met you or any of the guys.”

Rooster stands, tossing his empty plate on the kitchen counter with a clink.“Better watch out, Scout.She hasn’t met me yet.”

I chuckle softly at the light-hearted tension between them, but my body is heavy with fatigue.Blade notices, his hand still on my knee as he stands up.

“Come on,” he says, his voice soft but firm.“Let’s get you to bed.”

I nod, pushing myself up from the table.Grace, sensing the shift, hops off Vex’s lap and trots over to me.Before I can bend down to scoop her up, Vex stands, giving me a quick smile.

“I’ve got her, don’t worry,” he says, his voice low but assuring.He crouches to scratch behind Grace’s ears, and she purrs contentedly in response.

“Thanks,” I murmur, watching for a moment as Grace curls into Vex’s chest.I’m grateful she’s in good hands.

Blade offers me his arm, leading me through the house.As we walk up the stairs and down the hallway, I can’t help but feel a strange mix of peace and uncertainty.His room feels different when we enter—it feels more comfortable than the last time I was in here.

He closes the door softly behind us, and his voice, low and steady, breaks the silence.“Get some rest, babe.You’ve earned it.”

I sit on the edge of the bed, watching him for a moment as he moves to his dresser, pulls out a shirt, and hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say softly as I place it beside me on the bed.