Taming Blade (Kings Reapers MC Book 5) Nicola Jane (suggested reading TXT) 📖

“And aggressive,” I add in.

She smiles and nods. “But he’s just looking out for Blade. He really cares about all his brothers, about everyone in the club. He’d do anything to protect us.”

“I wish I’d never met him,” I mumble. “The second Blade walked into my shop, I should have looked the other way. Instinct told me he was trouble, and of course, that just made him more appealing to my sick, twisted heart.”

“We’ve all been there.” She smiles. “These guys are pretty hard to resist.”

“It’s caused me so much trouble,” I wail. “From a terrible first date to meeting Ethan. If I’d have stayed away from Blade, I would never have met Ethan.”

“What’s done is done. We can’t change the past. You have me and the girls here, and we’ll look after you.” I nod, grateful for that at least.

The days blend together. I managed to pacify Sara with a tale of lust between me and Blade. I hate lying to her, but if I told her the truth, she’d be here in a flash screaming the place down and Riggs would only hate me more than he already does. My room is next to Blade’s, how convenient, but I didn’t argue because I’ve done enough of that for the last three days since I arrived. The only positive is I love being around the women here. They’re all amazing and their friendship means the world right now. Especially Eva, who seems to have taken me under her wing and taught me the biker ways. If I wasn’t here against my will, I’d totally love this lifestyle. Riggs is a complete arse, but I can see how much he cares for his club and the guys within it. Their bond is unbreakable.

And the kids are just adorable. That’s why I find myself curled up on the rug in the main room, playing with Malia and Molly and a bunch of dolls. One thing I’m good at is doll hair, and since the girls discovered that, they’ve had me plaiting and brushing every doll they own.

“Will you stay forever?” asks Malia, and I smile at the sweetness of her tone.

“No,” I say. “I have a house and a shop. I have to get back to that soon.”

Soon, it seems to be such an open-ended word right now. Whenever I ask Blade about me leaving, he mutters something about soon. I’ve left Sara to run the shop, telling her I’m taking a week’s break. She was fine about it, and said I needed it after having years of running the place, but I still feel bad.

“But we like having you here.” Molly pouts.

“I like being here with you guys,” I say, and it’s the truth. “But I can’t live here.”

“You could be an ol’ lady,” suggests Malia, and I laugh.

“Who would have me?” I ask.

“Blade,” says Malia. If only they knew how much he hates me. He still thinks I’ve told Ethan something. Even I can see it’s a stupid accusation, because if Ethan knew anything, we’d have been arrested.

“Definitely not!” I scoff.

“Vinn doesn’t have an ol’ lady,” points out Molly.

“That’s because Vinn isn’t an MC member,” I point out, information I had recently learnt, thanks to Eva.

Eva joins us, picking up a doll and examining the tight plait. “Good job,” she says. “Any news on your release yet?” she jokes.

I shake my head. “I haven’t seen Blade all day.”

“I overheard Riggs telling Cree that he’s got a meeting with the chief of police today. Maybe he’ll come up with a deal to keep Blade out of the investigation and you can go back to living your life.”

I smile. It sounds good, and I do want to go back to my life, but now all this has happened, I don’t think my life will ever be the same again. The thought of never being around Blade again makes my heart hurt. It shouldn’t. I should hate him for everything he’s put me through since that very first date, but I’m quickly realising that I don’t. I find myself looking for him, and when we’re in the same room, I plead to God he looks my way. I’ve turned into a love-sick hormonal pre-teen.

“You look sad about that.” She smirks, and I playfully scowl. Eva is still hoping Blade and I will live happily ever after together.

“I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a playdate with these girls. Hide and seek is my favourite,” I say, and the girls yelp with excitement and rush off to hide.

Okay, so hide and seek was not my best idea. Malia is the hunter and I’ve been squashed into a cupboard in the kitchen for five minutes. Cramps are setting in and I’m about to give myself up when the kitchen door slams open, crashing against the wall. “You can’t tell her shit like that, Eva. It isn’t your place.” It’s Cree’s voice I hear, quickly followed by Eva.

“She wants to go home. I was giving her some hope that it’ll happen.”

“By telling her that Riggs is meeting with the cops today!” yells Cree.

“It’s the truth!”

“You’re implicating the Pres in all kinds of shit by saying he can get Blade out of this,” says Cree. I’m losing the feeling in my feet and legs, but I can’t go out now, not when they’re arguing about me.

“I wanted to see if she was happy or sad to be going,” admits Eva. “I know she likes Blade deep down.”

“Not this fairy tale bullshit again,” growls Cree. “Eva, you were told to befriend her to check she wasn’t feeding back to the cops, not to get her a happy ever after here at the club. She’s all wrong for Blade. She isn’t cut out for club life.”

I wince at his admission. Eva never wanted to be a friend to me, she was working for the club all the time. I’m so naïve,