Page 20 of Blade's Angel

“Did I do what, Cam?”

“Attack my Aunt Jasmine and then lie about it so Dad would throw her out.” Oh god, why in the world would he think that?

"No, Cam, I'd never do anything like that. Where did you hear that?” I've got a bad feeling I'm not going to like his answer.

“Aunt Jasmine, she called me earlier and told me you'd attacked her at The Clubhouse, but Dad didn't believe her and threw her out instead of you. Why would she lie about that, Aunt Sera?”

I pull him into a hug because he's breaking my heart. He's clearly struggling to understand why she'd lie to him. Once again, I’m ready to seriously hurt that woman. What does she think this is going to achieve?

“I don't know Cam; there was an altercation between us yesterday for sure, but I didn't try to attack her. I stopped her from attacking me and Blade. I wish I had the answer about why she'd lie to you.”

While leaving one arm wrapped around Cam, who is still crying and really worked up. I use my other arm to grab my phone from where I dropped it to comfort Cam and text Wrath that he needs to get here ASAP because something is wrong with Cam. I keep Cam in my arms while we wait for his Dad. I cannot believe Jasmine has done something like this, though. Trying to use and manipulate Cam after everything she knows he's already been through in his short life. Fucking bitch. She seriously needs to grow up.

The front door flies open a few minutes later. Wrath enters the house with Flame, Shadow, and some men I've never met before. Bringing up the back of the group is Blade. Wrath takes in the scene on the sofa and rushes over to us.

“What's happened?” he asks while sitting on the other side of Cam.

Cam pulls back to look at my face, and I give him a small smile, trying to reassure him that everything is okay. He looks terrified, and I can't help but feel for him. What the fuck was Jasmine even hoping to achieve with this bullshit?

“It's okay, Cam. I promise. Tell your Dad what you told me; you're not in any trouble.”

He turns to face his Dad before telling him, “I asked Aunt Sera if it was true that she attacked Aunt Jasmine and then lied about it so you'd throw her out.” His voice sounds so small right now. I hate it. He has been through e-fucking-nough, and without a doubt, Jasmine has triggered a hell of a lot of underlining issues Cam probably wasn’t even aware he had.

"Cam, where did you hear that?” Flame asks from close by.

When I look, he's standing behind Wrath, who is sitting on the sofa, with one of his hands clamped tightly on Wrath's shoulder, keeping Wrath from flying off the sofa. When I look at Wrath, I see why Flame has done it. Wrath's eyes are full of fury, and his jaw is clamped down hard. He looks ready to explode.

“Aunt Jasmine when she rang me earlier.”

I look around at Blade to see how he's taking what Cam has just revealed, and he looks devastated, like he's blaming himself for what she's done to Cam. I get up and walk towards Blade. Everyone is looking at me confused until they see where I'm walking and see the look on Blade's face. When I get in front of Blade, I grab his face in my hands, making him look me in the eyes.

“Don't do this. This is not your fault.” I sternly tell him.

“But it is; all this goes back to me.”

"No, it goes back to her; you've done nothing wrong.”

“She's right, Blade. Jasmine started all this when she verbally and physically attacked you. Now she's bringing Cam into her games. None of us are blaming you.” Flame interrupts before Blade can say anything back to me.

“I can't help but feel responsible, though. This is what I've been trying to avoid. I never wanted Cam brought into this.”

“You didn't bring him into it; she did. I'll fucking deal with it, Blade. Listen to us when we're telling you none of this is your fault.” Wrath tells him with a serious tone.

“Dad, why is Aunt Jasmine doing this? Why is she lying about something so serious?” Cam asks with tears still running down his face.

“I don’t know, son, but I promise I'll have a talk with her and make sure this never happens again. What she's said to you isn't okay, Cam. I will not have her upsetting you like this, trying to cause issues between you and the rest of the family. You're finally coming out of your shell around here. I won't have her ruining that. I'm proud of you for coming and talking to your Aunt, though; it shows maturity for someone so young. I know people older than you who would have just believed what they were told and acted on that information. Not you, though; you were smart.” Wrath answers him.

“I wanted to know what she had to say about it; that's why I came over here on my own without saying anything to anyone, because if what Aunt Jasmine said was true, I wanted to protect you all from what Aunt Sera was doing. You're my family, and families protect each other; you all taught me that when I came to live with you.”

Oh, my heart is breaking for him right now. I let go of Blade and walk over and crouch in front of Cam.

“I know why you feel that way, Cam. I did something similar earlier today. I may be older than you, but we have a lot in common, if you think about it. We both grew up without our dads, with terrible moms, and are now part of this amazing family and would do anything for them. They love you, Cam. Look at how many people came over here when I text your Dad something was wrong. I don't even know half the people in the room right now, but they are all here for you. Your family is bigger than you think.”

Cam looks around the room and wipes his tears away.

“I didn't even realize you were all here. Thank you.”

“You don't have to thank us, Cam; you're family.” I don't know the name of the one who spoke, but he's fucking massive. He's the tallest man in the room; he's got to be around six foot six with short blonde hair and pale green eyes, and he's built. I mean, he's almost as wide as he is tall. He is definitely someone you wouldn't want to mess with.

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