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“Just hot.” After I talked to Kira for over an hour, Blaze practically shoved pain meds down my throat because he could tell I was hurting. I have to admit, it’s weird that Blaze is being so attentive, but I can’t argue with how good it makes me feel. I move over so my head is lying on his thigh. His fingers dig into my scalp, massaging, and I groan. “That feels good.”
“We need to change your bandages. Do you want to take a bath first?”
“Yeah. I feel disgusting.” Blaze chuckles and helps me sit up.
“Let me get it ready, and I’ll be back.”
I watch Blaze walk into the bathroom, guilt twisting my gut. I already feel horrible about what I did, but now he’s taking care of me. The first night I was home was hazy, but I still remember most of what Blaze was saying to Kane. He was convinced Kane was going to kill him. I could see the sadness and panic in his eyes. All I wanted to do was take it away for him.
Blaze comes back into the bedroom and slides his arms under me. He gently lifts me against his chest, walking to the bathroom. “I can walk, Blaze.”
“I know you can, Baby, but it hurts you too badly.” He sets me on my feet and gently pulls my boxers off. “Plus, if you depend on me, you can’t get rid of me.” He says it with a chuckle, but I can hear the slight quiver in his voice.
Blaze strips down to his boxers, steps into the tub, and then helps me in. I sit down slowly, hissing when my ass hits the water. Blaze sits in front of me. “Blaze, whether you take care of me or not, I’m not getting rid of you.” He smiles, and it lights up his face. “I have to know, why though? I hurt you, too.” The last time I saw Blaze, he held a knife to my throat for several hours. Now, if I even act like I’m going to move, he’s up doing whatever it is for me.
“After I saw what Lev did to you, none of that other stuff mattered.” His eyes shift to the side, and I know he’s not telling me the full truth.
“What else?”
“How much do you know about me?”
I think about what I should tell him. The truth is, I know everything because of the undercover work. The file on Blaze was thick, outlining his whole history. I make my decision when he gives me a resigned look. “I know everything.”
Blaze’s brows furrow. “But you still trusted me with you?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “It took me some time because they painted you out to be this crazy person. But, Blaze, you aren’t crazy.”
“I hear fucking voices, Jaxon. How does that not make me crazy?”
“Yeah, you hear voices, but that doesn’t define who you are. I also see a man who loves with his whole heart. I see a man who’s doing everything he can to make sure that I’m comfortable.” Tears clog my throat, and I have to stop to clear it. “I see a man who is scared that those he loves will be taken from him.”
“What if I’m the one to take them?” Blaze whispers. “You don’t know what they were saying.”
“Were?”
“I don’t hear them when I’m with you.”
I take a second to let that sink in. “Is that why you’ve stayed by my side? Because I quiet the voices?”
“No! Yes.” Blaze sighs and runs his fingers through his wild hair. “Yes, you quiet them, but that’s not what this is. When I saw you lying there, I thought you were dead, and I saw for that brief second what life would be like without you. I can’t live like that, Baby, no matter what’s happened.”
“How? I betrayed you, Blaze.”
“And I have to believe you truly regret it. Eli believes, and I do too. Do I fully trust you yet? No. Will I? Eventually. I just know that I can’t let you go.” Blaze gently pulls me into his lap. “No matter what I have to do to keep you here.”
“It sounds like you’re kidnapping me.”
“I will if I have to.” I look into Blaze’s eyes and realize he’s telling the truth. I know it makes me fucked up, but I don’t care. I gently peck his lips, and he lets me lead the kiss. I don’t deepen it because of my split lip, but I just want to feel his lips against mine. I’ve missed having them against me, and having so many lonely nights has killed me. It’s not just the sex either. It’s their presence, all of them for different reasons. “You can’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure him. “I want to be here. This is my home.”
“You’re damn right it is.” Blaze and I both look up at the sound of Kane’s voice. He’s leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, and my heart skips a beat at his words and at him. I don’t know how I ever thought I could take him down. Kane owns me, and he knows it. “I know I haven’t shown it, but I’m glad you’re okay, and I want you here. You just have to give me time.”
“I know.” Blaze slides me from his lap and stands from the tub. I grab his hand. “Where are you going?”
“Kane’s back. You don’t need me anymore.”
“Blaze!” I call out when he steps from the tub and strides from the room. Kane grabs his arm, but Blaze jerks it away. “What does that mean?” Kane demands.
