Page 95 of The Devil's Weakness

He smiles at me before taking my chin in his hand and lifting my face to him. Placing his lips on mine, he kisses me passionately. He breaks the kiss too soon and turns me around, so I’m facing the diner again.

“Now, get back to work,” he says, swatting me playfully on the ass.

* * *

Two more dayshave passed without any word from Michael. Captain Turner has officially launched an investigation into his disappearance. As a community, we conducted a search party. Blade and several other members of the Devil’s Skull assisted as well.

I did my best to keep my distance from Blade, but it’s getting harder and harder. I felt his death stare on Steve and me the entire time we were searching.

The moment I walked through the door of my apartment later that evening, he grabbed me, threw me down onto the bed, and claimed me savagely. I would have been angry at him, except it took my mind off of reality.

I’ve never been so worried before in my entire life. I’m not eating, not sleeping. Ellie told me she doesn’t expect me to work, but in between Blade’s distractions, that’s all I can do to keep my mind off of the situation.

Blade, Hawk, and Cap are here for lunch today. Ellie keeps giving me looks every time they come in. It’s not normal for them, and she knows whatever they’re doing here stems from myvacationlast week.

I keep telling her I don’t know why they’ve suddenly taken such an interest in the diner, but she’s not stupid.

I can’t deny that I want Blade in my life any longer. I feel bad for wanting to keep it private, but I’m still scared of the reaction I’ll get from people when they find out about us. I know that’s incredibly unfair of me, but it’s more than being embarrassed to be seen with someone. I’m not embarrassed to be seen with Blade, but I won’t be able to take the look of disappointment I’ll get from people; mainly Ellie and Steve.

“Here’s your check.” I place it down in front of Blade. “I’ll be right back.”

I head into the kitchen to see if any food needs to be run. There’s nothing in the window, but I notice some crumbs and hardened sauce stuck to the surface. I wipe it down so it’s clean again. Then, I collect all the old tickets from meals that were previously served, and I add them to the collection of tickets that have already been impaled on the spindle. That’s when I hear Elena and Toni talking about Blade and me.

They’re just outside of the kitchen, leaning against the wall between the restrooms. They’re talking loudly enough for me to hear them, and I’m sure that’s not by accident.

“It’s obvious there’s something going on. What do you think it is?” Elena asks Toni.

“I don’t know, but I don’t get what he sees in her. She’s not pretty. She’s plain, and she’s simple. And if they’re fucking—which I doubt they are—I bet it’s the most boring shit ever. It’s probably terrible. He needs someone more experienced and adventurous.”

“Are you serious right now?” I shout from the kitchen.

I’ve had it with these two.

Compared to what I’ve had to deal with over the past two weeks, their shit-talking is nothing, and I’m so fucking over it. Walking out into the dining room, I confront them.

“Do you honestly think you’re going to hurt my feelings?”

They both stare me down like they’re taking what I said as a personal challenge.

“Let’s get one thing straight right now.”

My eyes go wide at the sound of Blade’s voice directly behind me. When I turn around to face him, I realize the door to the men’s room is shutting slowly.

Oh shit.

He must have heard what they said from inside the restroom.

“Neither one of you trashy-ass bitches will ever measure up to her. She’s on a completely different level. Not only is she prettier than you, but she’s smarter too. And selfless. Three things neither one of you will ever be.”

Their shocked expressions are priceless. Toni looks like she could cry, and Elena looks like she received the juiciest piece of gossip this town has ever heard.

Which she did, along with everyone else in the diner.

When I realize how many people have stopped eating and are watching us instead, I feel my stomach drop.

“And another thing. The sex? It’s the best I’ve ever had,” he adds.

Oh no, he didn’t.

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