Page 47 of The Devil's Redemption

“Hey, Ellie. How are you?” I inquire.

“I’m good, sweetie. You look so much better than the last time I saw you.”

As soon as the words come out of her mouth, I can tell she regrets saying them.

“I mean, you’re always beautiful. You know that, it’s just—”

“I know what you meant,” I interrupt with a smile. “It’s okay. And thank you, I’m feeling much better than I was the last time I saw you, too.”

“Hey,” Blade speaks up from behind me. “I have an errand to run with Cap.”

“Oh, okay. I was wondering why you brought him along. Do you mind if I just talk to Ellie for a few minutes?”

I look at Ellie who has an unsettled look on her face. She really doesn’t like the Skull. But I will get her to accept Blade if it’s the last thing I do.

“No, that’s fine. I was going to leave Kid here while Cap and I take care of it. I’ll be back in a little while. Are you going to be okay here for about an hour or two?”

He’s leaving mealonefor an hour or two?

I try not to act too excited. It’s not like I don’t like being around him, but for him to give me this space is huge.

“Yea—yeah, I’ll be fine.” I offer him a reassuring smile.

“I promise we will keep her safe and occupied while she’s here,” Ellie squeezes in.

“Okay. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back as soon as possible,” Blade declares to me before looking at Ellie again. “Please make sure she doesn’t overdo it here. She’s not cleared for any sort of physical activity yet.”

I guess Blade doesn’t count sex as physical activity, then.

I wanted so badly to let him continue his exploration of my body. It’s been too long. I thought everything was fine. I thought that I would be able to handle it, but as soon as his fingers grazed my clit, Jasper flashed into my vision again. The image of so many pairs of feet danced in front of me as hands of faceless strangers touched me incessantly.

I had to stop him. I didn’t want to, but Ihadto. I refuse to let them share a bed with us. They don’t get to ruin what we have. Not anymore. I just need to figure out how to push the nightmarish memories from my mind while I am with Blade. He’s been so understanding, but I can only imagine how frustrated he must be having to wait.

With his salacious, almost incurable sexual appetite, he’s a man who requires a lot more physical attention than I can give him right now. But I love how calm he is about it. If heisas frustrated as I believe he is, he hasn’t shown it. And that means so much to me.

“You have my word,” Ellie promises, guiding us back into the dining room. “I’m going to sit her down at that booth over there, and she won’t move from that spot until you get back.”

Both mine and Blade’s gaze follows to a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.

That’s perfect. I don’t really want to be in the center of the main dining room, on display for the entire town to see. I didn’t think of that until just now.

Ugh.

The lunch rush will begin soon, and practically everyone will be coming in for a hot meal. I shoot Ellie an uncomfortable smile before turning back to Blade.

“You’re going to be okay?” he asks.

“I’ll be fine, really. Thank you for bringing me here, Blade.”

“I won’t be far. Cap and I aren’t leaving Whispering Valley. So if you need me, call me, and I’ll be here, okay? Kid is staying behind to look after you, but I promise he will give you a little bit of space.”

Blade looks to Kid who nods in acknowledgement. I flash a quick smile to Kid as well, still not comfortable having a security detail.

Leaning in for a kiss, Blade’s lips land on mine, and warmth blooms in the depths of my soul. The welcome heat is something I didn’t know if I would feel again.

“I’ll miss you,” I admit when he pulls away. “I love you.”

“Back atcha, little girl,” he responds with a wink.

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