Page 16 of Blade's Angel

“Erm, because he told me instead of staying here at The Clubhouse he's been sleeping in the office at Inferno's. So my guess would be that if you can't find him here and you’ve checked everywhere else, he's probably there.” I say while worrying my lip between my teeth. I don't want to get Blade in trouble, but it's obvious Shadow is worried about him.

"Fuck, are you serious? Of course you're serious; you have no reason to lie. I'm going to strangle him for not saying anything to anyone. I don't think any of us realized he wasn't coming home! Fuck, we're all such bad friends.”

He's really beating himself up about this, and I feel terrible. I can tell by Shadow’s reaction how much he cares about Blade, but I’m pretty sure Blade kept his mouth shut because he cares about everyone else.

“Shadow stop. He probably didn't tell any of you because you've had so much going on. Think about it: all this started with Jasmine while you were all still dealing with Claire. Just go to the nightclub and talk to him. I'm sure I'm right, and if you ask him, Blade will be honest. He's your friend; he probably just wanted to protect you all from more drama.” I tell him in a nonsense tone.

“Yeah, you're right.” He replies, but he sounds so dejected. “I'll go talk to him and hopefully get some answers. He's one of my closest friends; I hate that he didn't come to me.”

“Go. Talk to him. I'll see you later.”

“See you later, sis. Thank you.”

He leans down and kisses my cheek before he takes off in a run. I can't help but smile. The whole conversation we've just had has told me so much about my brother, and I don't think he realizes it. He's a big, lovable, caring goof. I couldn't be happier to call him my brother. I'm certainly lucky my family turned out to be this amazing. They’re everything I dreamed of having growing up.

I turn my attention back to my sketch, wanting to get it finished so I don't have to worry about it. I’ll call Blade later and check on him. That’s if I don’t see him before then. I need to make sure he’s okay, especially knowing he’s going to be having something of a heart-to-heart with my brother. Whether he wants to or not. Shadow is going to make him talk. That much was obvious.

Chapter Thirteen

Blade

Even knowing Jasmine wasn’t at The Clubhouse anymore, I just couldn’t face going home when I finished my ride. So once again, I ended up spending the night in the office at Inferno’s on the couch. I’m grateful that whoever actually picked out the furniture in here picked a couch big enough for me to comfortably sleep on. I should probably think about getting up and moving. I can’t spend the day hiding out in this office. I need to get my act together.

Before I get that chance, the office door slams open, hitting the wall behind it, and standing in the doorway is a very unhappy-looking Shadow. Oh shit. It looks like my time keeping quiet is up. Shadow isn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Do you know how long I've been fucking searching for you? You asshole!” He shouts as he walks in.

“Nope, are you going to tell me?” I stay calm, despite how irate he is. I know I need to stay calm when he’s like this. Shadow wears his feelings on his sleeve where the people he cares about are concerned.

“Four hours! Since I got up this morning, I've been searching everywhere around town for you, and I couldn't find you. So I thought you know what he spent some time with my sister yesterday; maybe she might know where to find him, and do you know what she told me? That you've been fucking sleeping here! Do you know how bad I felt that I didn't know that? You're one of my closest friends, and I. Didn't. Know.” He emphasizes his last point by poking himself in the chest as he speaks.

He's clearly upset that he didn't know how bad things were for me. Fuck, I need to explain and get him calmed down. Shadow like this isn’t a good thing at all. The majority of the time, he’s lighthearted and a massive goof until something happens with someone he cares about and considers family. Then he becomes something else entirely. I’m pretty sure he would become more lethal than his brother where family is concerned, and that’s saying something. Because Wrath didn’t get his road name for nothing.

“Shadow, I didn't tell you because you all had so much going on with Claire. Then, the longer I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn't put any of you in a bad position because of who Jasmine is.” I started to explain to him calmly.

“I don't give a fuck who she is, Blade; I give a fuck about who you are! You're a member of this MC, a goddamn officer! More than that, you’re family! You shouldn't have been sleeping in this office because she was at The Clubhouse!” He's shouting now.

“I didn't have a choice, Shadow! Every time she saw me, she attacked me in some manner, whether it was physical or verbal. There was nothing I could do because she's Cam's aunt, and I'd never put you or Wrath in that position. Do you understand now? I was protecting you!” I shout back. So much for staying calm.

All the fight seems to deflate out of Shadow once I shout back at him, and he just looks torn. He knows I’m right. Even if he hates it. He knows how much they all mean to me and that I'd do anything to protect them. Even if it's detrimental to my own wellbeing.

“I get why Blade; I just fucking hate it. She's gone. Will you just come home, please? I hate knowing you've been sleeping here and that none of us realized what was happening.”

“You didn't know because I'm good at hiding shit; you know this. I'll come back to The Clubhouse for now, but I think I need to find somewhere else to live. She's ruined my home for me; it all feels tainted now.”

He looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.

“What about if we build another house on The Compound? I've been thinking about moving since Wrath and Flame got married. I need to move out because I cannot even tell you the number of times I've caught Wrath and Flame in compromising positions or had to hear them going at it in the middle of the night. No one should have to listen to that when it's their fucking twin; it's just wrong. So what if you move in with me to my new place when it's done?”

“You know what? That sounds like a good idea, but wouldn't you prefer to live with Wreck?” I ask because I'm really curious.

He looks a little sheepish at the mention of Wreck.

“I'd love to live with him; he's my ride or die, but he said no to living with me when I originally brought it up to him. He likes how close his apartment is to Devil's Ink, apparently. So don't worry, you won't be stepping on Wreck's toes; he's happy where he's at.”

“As long as I'm not stepping on toes, I'd love to live with you; it really does seem like the ideal plan, if I'm being honest. At least I know you, and I won't be living away from The Compound.”

“Yes!” He cheers, and I can't help but laugh. He's such a fucking idiot sometimes. A loveable idiot, but an idiot all the same.

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