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I knew he was right. I’d have to wait and find another chance at freedom. Maybe along the road, on the way back to my hell, I’d get a chance. I’d never thought I’d get away three years ago, and I did. All it took was watching for an opening.
He stood close as I switched the trays out. Once the croissants were out, the next batch in, and the timer set, he waved me back to the table. I reluctantly took a seat. Jake sat down with us. He reached over to take my hand. I heard a soft growl come out of Blade. He was glaring at Jake. All Jake did was grin and shrug. He patted my hand.
“Cassia, I can promise you, he might be an idiot, but he’s not here to harm you. The bonehead didn’t know what to do when he thought you were running. Now, he told me you’ve been saying some disturbing things. Mind telling us who you’re so scared of and why? It’s obvious you’re running and hiding. We can help you if you tell us.”
“Why should I believe you? And why would you help him?”
“I’m not just a police officer. I’m also a prospect in the Warriors’ club. That means I’m working to become a member of his MC. However, that doesn’t mean I’m out to harm you. Neither is he.”
“You expect me to believe if you’re part of his club, that you’re not going to help him kidnap me and take me back? Do I look stupid to you? He’s been watching me. He basically confessed that when he questioned me about why I left my home earlier than usual. He knows where I live.”
“It’s true. I have been watching you, but not for that reason. Shit, okay, this is going to sound awful, but I’ve been keeping track of you when you’re not here. I know when you come in and leave here. I know where you live because I followed you home. I also know that other than here and home, you only go to the grocery store. You don’t seem to have any friends. You spend your evenings and nights alone. You’ve been trying to avoid talking to me since the day we met.”
“See! He’s been stalking me. Shouldn’t you arrest him?”
“True, I have been stalking you, but only because I want to get to know you. Every attempt I’ve made, you’ve shut down.”
“Is this more of that crap you tried to feed me the other day when you asked me to go out with you?”
“It wasn’t crap. I’m dead serious, Cassia. I want to take you out. I want us to get to know each other and to move our relationship along to its conclusion.”
His expression appeared to be earnest, but I knew that people could appear to be one thing and really be another. I’d seen it enough in the past. Sometimes the most pleasant countenance could hide the biggest monster. I decided to humor him. Maybe I could fool them both into thinking I bought whatever he was saying and get a chance to run.
“What do you mean by bringing it to its conclusion? That doesn’t make any sense to me. We don’t have a relationship.”
“Cassia, if I might interrupt. I know what he’s getting at. Before he answers you, let me tell you that it’s not crazy as it’s going to sound. Just give him a chance,” Jake said.
I sat back and said nothing. Sighing, Blade answered me. “In my club, we seem to have a gift, if you wanna call it that. It’s one that I’ve seen with a couple of other clubs—all ones that we’re friends with. I never thought it would be something that would happen to me, even though it has happened to the majority of my club brothers. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that first day, you were the one.”
I interrupted him. “The one what?”
“The woman meant to be mine for the rest of my life. The woman who would be my old lady, wife, and mother of my children. The one who I’ll love, cherish, and protect for the rest of our lives. I don’t want us to wait any longer to start working toward that conclusion. I know it’s a lot to take in and we can go slow if you need it, but we’re destined to be together. You just need to give me a chance to prove it.”
I bounded out of my chair. My whole body was shaking. “Are you kidding me? What’s wrong with me that I keep attracting crazies like you? There’s no way I’m ever going to be someone’s broodmare and slave. I know what that life looks like and it’s not going to be mine. I’ll die first. I want you to leave.”
I turned to Jake. “You’re an officer of the law. It’s your duty to protect people. You said you weren’t here to hurt me. Prove it. Make him leave.”
Jake cringed and looked uncomfortable. I knew it. He had been lying. He glanced at Blade, who had come to his feet and was standing between me and the back door. He had a beseeching look on his face. Funny. He didn’t look crazy, but then, some never did.
“Baby, I swear to you. It’s not my intent to use you like that. Why would you think that? Who were you referring to when you told me not to take you back to him? Who’s him? What happened to you? I can tell you’ve been hurt.”
“Cassia, I am here to help. If you won’t listen to him, please listen to me. We can help you. As crazy as what he said sounds, he’s not nuts. The guys in the club do find their one and only and know it immediately. I believe him when he says you’re that for him.”
“Well, the two of you can believe it all you want, but I don’t. There’s no such thing as soulmates or whatever you think we are. Love is just a concept people feed us to trick women into allowing men to have control over us. I don’t believe in love or happily ever after. Now, are you going to leave or not?”
Blade went to say something, but Jake shook his head. He frowned but stayed quiet.
“Okay, we’ll go, but I don't think you should expect him to give up.”
“I’m not. I'll prove to you that what you just spouted is bullshit. Love does exist and I’m more than halfway there with you. I’m not looking for a slave or broodmare, even though I do hope we have children one day. Please, whatever you think, don’t run. I can’t let you do that,” Blade said. He sounded so sure and sane if you ignored the words.
“You don’t have any say in what I do. I need both of you to leave.”
I stood there as they slowly walked toward the back door. Blade gave me one more pleading look before he walked out. I slammed the door shut and locked it, then ran to the front to lock that one. I was shaking so hard, I almost fell. What was I going to do? Something told me he’d never take his eyes off me now. He knew I was going to run. I had to find a way out. Rushing to the back, I got back to work. The routine of it would allow me to think and help relax me. My three years of peace were over.
Blade: Chapter 3
I sat outside her apartment, watching to make sure she didn’t run. It was dark, and all I wanted to do was knock on her door and beg her to talk to me. I had to convince her to trust me. The things she’d spouted earlier today about not believing in love and happily ever after had stunned me. Whatever happened to her, it had scarred her deeply. I wanted to find out what it was and who did it, so I could make them pay. Preferably with their life.
