Page 80 of The Devil's Redemption

I take a deep breath and decide to table this inner discussion for a later time. I tear my eyes from him and cuddle into his chest. We’re silent for a few minutes before I remember something I heard him say to Lizzy last night.

“What’s a patch chaser?”

“It’s a girl who hangs around the club for the chance to sleep with its members. Especially officers, as they’re held in a higher regard than other members.”

“And you’re an officer?” I ask.

“Yes. Everyone with a title patch on their cut is an officer.”

“Big, bad, enforcer Blade. That’s you, huh?” I joke.

“Better believe it, little girl.”

“The first two times that I was up close and personal with you, I noticed your ‘Enforcer’ patch. But it wasn’t until you chased me down outside of the hotel that I realized exactly what your role in the club was.”

Blade takes a deep breath before exhaling.

“I’ll never forget that day. I found you the day prior, actually. I followed you to that gas station. Watched as you shopped around for shampoo and soap. You have no idea the war that was raging inside of me. Between wanting to save you and the oath I made to all my brothers that had me wanting to drag you in, kicking and screaming.”

Even knowing who he is now, it doesn’t stop the goose bumps from rising on my skin, hearing what he went through in the hours leading to my very first abduction.

“And I’ll never forget the night behind the diner and all the moments after that when you seemed to pop up around town at the exact place that I was.”

“Yeah, that was no coincidence,” he admits.

What once would frighten me now sends desirable shivers down my spine.

“I know it wasn’t,” I tell him.

We fall silent again, my head resting on his chest as it rises and falls gently with each breath he takes.

“It’s been a long, rocky road to where we are now. While I don’t appreciate the intimidation I felt in the early days, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy here.”

“I’m happy that you’re happy, little girl.”

“Well, nothere,here. I’d be happier in one of those small houses by the garage…” I try to casually bring it up to him that I want to move from my apartment.

“Are you sure?” he asks me.

“Yes. I’m sure,” I tell him as I sit up and look him in the eyes again. “While we’re on the subject of things I’m sure about... I want to call the morgue today and tell them to do whatever they need to do to get Michael cremated. When that’s finished, I’d like to take a trip out to Harper’s Ferry to spread his ashes.”

I stop speaking and smile for a moment, recalling how much fun those day trips were.

“It’s been a long time, but we used to go there as a family all the time. I can remember walking through Harper House with him. Going to the location of John Brown’s raid. I was always so afraid to cross the bridge that led us out there. I remember Michael helping my dad hoist me up onto Lincoln Rock. I felt like I was on the top of the world all the way up there. We could never leave without a trip to The Ice Cream Shoppe. And playing hide-and-seek among the various ruins was one of our favorite things to do together. I think I still have a few rocks at home that we stole as souvenirs.”

“He doesn’t deserve it.”

Blade’s words tear the smile from my face, and I struggle to swallow so I can speak.

“Maybe not, but I’m choosing to remember the good times rather than dwell on the bad. If you don’t want to take me down there, I understand. But that’s what I want. So that’s what I am going to do.”

“No, Sasha. Don’t misunderstand me. I’ll be there with you every step of the way. I’m sorry if what I said was inappropriate. But I can’t help how I feel about Michael’s participation in what happened to you.”

“I know,” I admit. “Thank you, Blade.”

He places his hand on my cheek and pulls me in for a kiss.

“I’ve been thinking. I may be okay with attempting to go for a ride on your death scooter.”

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