Page 22 of Blade: Blade Outlawz MC

Pepper pulled the plate closer to her and picked up the fork. I bowed my head when she bowed hers. I thought she would bless the food out loud, but instead, she kept quiet, so I did the same.

When she was finished, she ate her food. I watched her for a second, trying to get some idea of what she thought or if she liked the food. I wanted to hear her voice, so I struck up a conversation.

“Tell me about yourself, Pepper.” I twirled some pasta on my fork and stuck it in my mouth.

“What do you want to know?”

“Whatever you want to tell me.” I thought about it for a second. She probably would tell me basic shit, and I wasn’t interested in that. “Matter of fact, tell me about your relationship with your father.”

She ate some of her food, then drank some of the wine I had on the table. I didn’t want to rush her because I wanted her to open up and be real with me, so I waited patiently for her to answer. There were rumors of things, and I already had my thoughts on him, but I was curious to know how she felt.

When she was ready, she put her fork down and cleared her throat. “My father and I have a complicated relationship.”

I thought she would say more, but instead, she started eating again. I knew it was because she felt as though she couldn’t trust me, and I didn’t like the feeling I got from knowing that. What the fuck is wrong with me? Since when did I give a damn if a woman trusted me like that or not? I wasn’t used to having many conversations with women.

“I know things got off to a rough start with us, but you can talk to me.”

She scoffed. “That’s what you call a rough start? You kidnapped me and held me hostage for I don’t know how long, and you want me to talk to you.” She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.

I didn’t know what to say to that because that was exactly what I did, and I wasn’t ready to apologize for it, if I ever apologized.

She chewed on her bottom lip, but I finally decided to talk.

“My father is the only parent I have left, but he’s also the reason why I don’t trust men and could never be in love.”

She pinned me with a look that made me uneasy. Her saying she couldn’t ever be in love bothered me, too, for some reason. I could have asked her to elaborate, but I didn’t.

“I feel the same way about that love shit. It ain’t for me, either.” Even though I felt something for her, I didn’t think I was capable of falling in love with her. My slight obsession with her wasn’t love; it was lust… at least I thought it was.

A look crossed her face, but it was gone just as fast as it came.

“Well, I’m done eating. Can I go back to my room now?” She pushed away from the table and stood.

I didn’t even know what to say to her. My thoughts were all over the place. I could hear my brother in my head telling me to let her go, but I couldn’t. I was selfish as fuck, but I couldn’t help it. She waited for me to give her permission to leave, so I granted it.

“Thanks for eating with me. Good night, Pepper.”

“Good night, Blade.” There was a sadness in her eyes that made my heart squeeze.

She turned and walked the same way she came, and I watched her until I couldn’t see her anymore.

I wasn’t even sure if I would lock the room door again or just let it stay unlocked to see what she would do. I really didn’t want her to leave though.

“Fuck. This girl got me tripping.” I got up and cleaned up the table. I put the few dishes we used in the dishwasher and turned it on. After I wiped off the counters, I made sure the house was locked up, then went upstairs.

I passed the door Pepper was in and decided to lock it back at the last minute. I needed to figure out what to do about her father, and until then, she would stay here.

Ididn’t know what to think about having dinner with Blade, especially with it being outside of the room he kept me in. At first, I wasn’t going to go, but I wasn’t sure how he would react. I didn’t want to cause any more issues. I just wanted him to let me go, and if I had to play his game, then I would.

I was too nervous about everything, so I didn’t even get the chance to see any of the house. I barely paid attention to the hallway or the dining room. I peeked into the living room but didn’t notice much before Blade called out to me.

The gaze in his eyes made my body warm, even though he wore a scowl on his face. It was all in his eyes. It was the same look he gave me every time I was in his presence. He was battling his feelings, but I wouldn’t call him out on it. I hadn’t figured out what I felt toward him, either.

Us having sex and the way he left me played in my mind since he walked out of my room. It made whatever I felt for him more conflicting. I wanted it again, but what did that say about me? Did I like him for real, or was it just because he’d been the only contact I had for weeks, or however long I had been at his house? At some point, I lost track of time. I just knew that when the sun rose and set, a new day had come.

I was a little uncomfortable being around him, especially when he asked me to tell him about myself. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to know exactly. When he asked me about my father, I told him the truth, but I didn’t want to elaborate on why I felt the way I did. I had already said enough. I didn’t know what Blade’s plans were, and I didn’t want to give him any motivation to do something to my father, even though there was a small part of me that wanted him to. People acted so scared of my father, and sometimes, it sickened me.

Yes, Harold was a menace at times, but he thought he was untouchable, and I couldn’t understand why other people thought the same thing.

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