Page 29 of Blade
“Rachell seems very kind.”
He smirks. “She does, but don’t be fooled. She’s former Army and highly skilled. She could disarm a three-hundred-pound man holding a machine gun if he posed a threat.”
I gasp. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“She’s barely bigger than me.”
“But she’s trained and a powerhouse.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed.”
“Yep. Now you know. You’ll always be just as safe with Rachell as any of my men.”
“Good to know. Eerie, but good to know.”
Before I know it, the bowl of soup is empty, and Blade points toward the plate. “Eat the rest of that, Little one.”
“So bossy.” I pick one up and take another bite.
“When it comes to your health and safety, I will be, Little one. Accept it.”
I don’t doubt him. And having someone keeping me safe and fed is foreign to me. But it feels nice. I could get used to this. Maybe I will.
Eleven
Blade
* * *
I need to explain myself to June, but there’s too much going on. It will have to wait. Mace shows up as soon as she finishes eating.
“How are you feeling, June?” he asks as he sets a brand-new computer and phone on the island.
“I wish I could say I felt better, but that would be a lie,” she says. “Apparently I’m supposed to feel worse a few days after being assaulted.”
Mace winces. “Yeah. That’s true. I wish I didn’t know that firsthand, but I’ve had my ass kicked a few times. I always felt worse on the second day. Plus, that broken arm—it’s got to be throbbing.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who could say they’ve been in numerous fights. Should I be scared?” She’s half joking.
Mace chuckles. “Nope. Not you. Plus, I assume you’re not planning to join the Army soon.”
She cringes. “Not a chance.”
“Sticky situations sometimes call for hand-to-hand combat in war zones.” He glances at me.
I know what he’s thinking. Sometimes, Seattle becomes a war zone in our line of work. But she doesn’t need to know that.
She turns to me. “How many fights have you been in?”
I won’t lie to her. “More than I can count, Little one. Always in the name of good over evil, though. Not because I’m a dick or lost my temper with someone who didn’t deserve it. You’ll never see that side of me unless your ex or anyone else tries to harm you while I’m in the vicinity.”
I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I intend to verify Pete was behind the break-in at her apartment, track that fucker down, and put an end to his harassment. Permanently. I won’t have my Little girl living in fear.
I pick up the new phone and grab hers from the island. It takes me a minute to transfer several numbers that she might need, and then I hand it to her. “If there are other contacts you want to move to this phone, I just ask that you’re selective so your ex doesn’t catch on. I’ll monitor the old one and let you know if anything comes up. Okay?”
“Yes. Thank you for doing this for me.” She takes it. “Yikes. This is high-tech. It will take me two days to learn how to use it. A simple burner would be sufficient.”
