Forging Blade (Charon MC Book 11)

by Khloe Wren

  Her immediate assumption that Blade and I were going to continue to see each other had me shocked mute for a minute.

  “An espresso, no cream, no sugar. Thanks, Zara. Veronica?”

  I mentally shook myself. “Ah, chai latte, thanks.”

  “Any pie? We’ve got blueberry or apple.”

  “Sure, apple would be great.”

  “Make that two.”

  Zara headed back to the counter, leaving me alone with Blade again.

  “The girls at work rave about the pie here. Apparently Marie has some sort of gift.”

  “You’ve never come here before to try it for yourself?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t go out much, really.”

  He cocked his eyebrow and smirked at me. “What sent you out to Styx then?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I said I don’t go out much, not that I never go out.”

  “I’m just wondering what Styx has that draws you out when rumors of the best pie around hasn’t enticed you to come in here.”

  Zara came up and set our drinks in front of us, then two plates, each with a large slice of apple pie.

  “Think about it, Blade. Eye candy. All you biker boys hang out down at Styx. Women aren’t ruled by the stomach, like you men. Although, once you try this pie, I’m sure you’ll be back for more.”

  With a wink my direction, she slipped away, leaving me sitting there ready to die of embarrassment. My cheeks were so hot I was sure they were bright red. His deep, rumbly chuckle did not help matters.

  “My little dove wanted something pretty to look at, huh? That why you and your girls go out to Styx?”

  I shrugged as I forked up a piece of pie and shoved it into my mouth so I couldn’t speak. Then I moaned. Damn, that pie really was good.

  Blade chuckled before taking a mouthful of his own slice.

  “Hmm, that is a damn good pie.”

  Everything out of his mouth sounded dirty, like he was making sexual innuendos out of everything. Or maybe I was just so desperate, it was me who was hearing it rather than him putting it out there.

  I hadn’t taken a lover since I’d run away. Hadn’t wanted to. Until now. There was something about Blade that was getting to me. Turning on parts of me that I’d thought I’d turned off for good. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it all. I mean, I hadn’t really consciously decided that I’d be single forever, but I’d assumed that would be the case. Even if I was brave enough to try to sleep with Blade, what would happen when he tried to touch me? I mean, I’d freaked the fuck out when he’d barely touched my cheek. What the fuck would happen if he tried to get me naked?

  “Wherever you just went, don’t.”

  His rough voice brought me out of my thoughts and I looked up from my plate into his piercing blue eyes.

  “Whatever happened to you in the past? It’s over. I won’t ever hurt you, and I sure as hell won’t let anyone else hurt you, either.”

  “You can’t know that. Can’t promise that.”

  He leaned in toward me. “Let me tell you a little about myself, little dove. At sixteen, my father sold me to the mob. For the past twenty-two years, I’ve been living among the vilest of men, doing what I had to in order to survive. Two weeks ago, I got out. While I have zero intentions of ever going back to that life, the skills it taught me will never leave me, and I have no problem using every last one of them to keep you safe. Understand?”

  I froze under his intensity. I was totally unprepared for how to deal with this man.

  “I, ah, no, I don’t understand. You don’t know me—”

  “So tell me about you. What I know so far has me wanting more. Tell me the rest of your secrets, Veronica. They’re all safe with me, I promise.”

  Panic shook me to my core. Did he already know? Had my uncle sent him?

  “Where did you live? When you were in the mob?”

  “Los Angeles. Why? Is that who hurt you? Someone with connections? Veronica, I have no connections to that life anymore. I got out and burned all the bridges I had in order to leave. I’m here in town because I’ve known Mac a long time and he offered me a place to stay while I heal and decide what I want for the rest of my life. I’m not a threat to you, I promise.”

  I began to feel lightheaded. This was all too much. I had no idea if I could believe him. I had no one I could trust to talk to about him, either. I’d kept myself so damn isolated, I had no one to go to. Sure, Sophie and Laura were friends, but neither of them even knew that Veronica wasn’t my real name.

  I had to get away. I couldn’t do this.

  I shoved my chair out and stood in a rush.

  “I can’t. I gotta go.”

  I nearly tripped over the chair leg as I turned but I kept going, rushing to the door, then through it. Ignoring Blade calling out my name. Struggling to draw in enough air, I stumbled out to the parking lot. Desperate to get away, I didn’t pay attention like I normally did. Didn’t take in the area for threats. Just went directly to my car. A horn blasting had me jolting a moment before a strong arm wrapped around my waist and hauled me back against a solid chest.

  A dark green sedan drove past, the driver shaking his head at me as a sob broke free. I knew who held me. Blade’s scent had enveloped me the moment he’d grabbed me.

  “What the fuck, Veronica? You could’ve been killed!”

  Before I could track what was happening, he had my back up against the rear wall of the cafe with his big, hard body stopping me from going anywhere. Tears blurred my eyes as I looked up into his furious, icy gaze. The second our gazes clashed, his softened, he lifted his hand, and ran his knuckles down my cheek.

  “Don’t ever be scared of me, Veronica.” He leaned in and pressed another gentle kiss to my temple, melting me inside. But he didn’t stop there. Nope, he continued pressing them down the side of my face, over my cheek, to the edge of my mouth. “You gonna let me kiss you? I swear you just took ten years off my life with that little stunt. I need you to calm me down. I need a taste of you.”

  I knew I should say no, should push him away. I raised my hands and fisted them in the front of his shirt. I should push. But I didn’t. I pulled him in closer, turned my head slightly and pressed my lips against his, hoping he’d take control. I’d never been kissed, had no clue how to do it. But suddenly, I wanted it with Blade. I wanted to see where this fire he’d started within me would lead. Maybe it was strong enough, hot enough, to burn away those old memories and give me some new ones I could cherish.

  Blade

  My heart was still pounding at how close she’d come to getting clipped by that car. Adrenaline was racing through my system, demanding an outlet. Since I had her pinned between me and a wall, she was my first choice. Her sweet scent filled my head, making me fucking dizzy. But I didn’t want to push her too hard, scare her off. I’d spilled out my demand for her to let me kiss her before I’d fully thought it through. She was so fucking skittish. If I pushed too hard too fast, she’d bolt for sure.

  Thankfully my words hadn’t sent her running. Instead she took two fistfuls of my shirt and pulled me to her, turning her head to press her lips to mine. The moment our mouths connected, my brain short-circuited. With a growl, I cupped her face between my palms and tilted her head where I needed her to be so I could get full access to her lush little mouth. Then I laid my lips over hers and made her mine. A swipe of my tongue over her lower lip had her gasping and gave me the access I needed to dance my tongue with hers.

  Her grip on my shirt tightened as she moaned into the kiss.

  “Yo, Blade! This ain’t the clubhouse, mate!”

  Taz’s smartass Aussie accent floated across the parking lot, breaking the moment.

  I gave her one more light kiss before pulling away, stroking my thumbs over her cheeks as I kept my gaze locked on her glassy eyes. Slowly, her breathing calmed and she blinked her eyes clear. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lower lip and my already hard cock jerked against the fly of my pants in demand.
r />   “What was that?”

  “Me kissing you.”

  She swallowed, dropping her gaze away from mine. “Is it—” She cleared her throat and a blush colored her cheeks. “Is it always like that?”

  That stopped me short. Was she asking what I thought she was?

  “Look at me.” I waited for her to lift her gaze before I continued. “You’ve never been kissed before, little dove?”

  She shook her head against my palms that still cupped her face between them.

  In a low, soft growl, I asked her the more important question. “Are you a virgin?”

  I’d never been with a virgin, but something about being the only one to have this woman was doing it for me. Until her eyes widened in panic.

  “No, of course not. I’m thirty-two years old, for crying out loud.”

  She tried to break away from my grip, but I sensed the falseness to her little rant just now. Oh, I was certain it was the truth, but the reason behind it had nothing to do with how old she was. How the fuck does a woman lose her virginity while never having been kissed? The conclusion my brain drew had rage flowing in my veins.

  “Who hurt you? Tell me his name and I’ll make sure he never gets near you again.”

  Her face paled as her eyes went wide. She held herself stiff for a moment, twisting her fists against my chest, then she seemed to deflate before me, tears filling her eyes.

  “It’s not your concern—”

  I cut her off by slamming my palms against the wall on either side of her shoulders, ignoring the way the rough brick cut into my skin.

  “Bullshit! You are my concern, Veronica. I will keep you protected, but it’ll be fucking hard if my hands are tied behind my back. Tell me the information I need to make sure you stay safe.”

  “Blade, I’ve been living here for seven years and haven’t seen or heard from him. I’m safe here. You don’t need to do anything.”

  So she had been hurt. Fuck it all. I wanted blood on her behalf. Rage and fury held me motionless as she shifted her hands, releasing my shirt then reaching up to cup my face like I’d done to her earlier. She stroked her fingers through my short beard for a few moments and I closed my eyes at the feel of her soft hands on me. My imagination took the sensation and ran with it, picturing how it would feel to be naked before her, with her hands exploring my bare flesh, wrapping around my cock and stroking me.

  Her lips pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth had my mind back in the moment, and I opened my eyes in time to see her brush a tear away before she ducked under my arm and strode away from me.

  I watched her go, torn about whether to chase her or not. Fuck it. I jogged after her, reaching her as she unlocked her car and opened the door.

  “Wait! Veronica, don’t leave like this. We need to talk about it.”

  With a huff, she turned on me. “Talk about what, Blade? That someone hurt me? Yeah, he did. But it’s over and done with. I don’t want to revisit it.”

  “Don’t make me go looking for information, little dove. I’ll do it because I need to know how to keep you safe, but I’d prefer you just tell me.”

  I winced when fear, clear as day, crossed her features. “You wouldn’t dare! Do not go digging, Blade. You have no right. Leave my past the hell alone.” She shook her head. “Leave me the hell alone.”

  “You don’t mean that. You wouldn’t have kissed me like you did if you really wanted me to leave you be. I’ll follow you home, then we can talk in private.”

  I didn’t give her a choice, just turned from her and strode over to my new bike. The black and chrome 2002 Fat Boy had been well cared for and I knew it was destined to be mine when I’d seen it earlier. I was extra grateful I now had a bike when she took off out of the lot, clearly trying to leave me behind. Fuck, I hoped she didn’t call the cops on me for this, but I couldn’t leave her alone after what just happened. I’d brought shit up from her past and no matter what she said, she’d be thinking about it now. That was my fault and I wanted to be there to comfort her. I also wanted to get to the bottom of what had happened to her, so I could make it all better for her.

  With the taste of her kiss still on my lips, I twisted the throttle and followed her down the road. I was not going to let my girl get away that easily.

  Veronica

  No, no, no. This wasn’t happening.

  How the hell had I gone from flying so high to crashing so hard? I smacked my hands against my steering wheel as I glanced in the rear-view mirror to see a bike gaining on me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to outrun him. As he drew closer, I could see the firm set of his jaw. He wasn’t going to let this slide. I was going to have to tell him something. That, or call the cops on his ass. I shook my head. I wouldn’t do that. In a way, it was nice to have someone care. Hopefully it didn’t cost him what it had cost my parents.

  I’m not sure how young I was when my uncle first started grooming me. I couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t taken an unhealthy interest in me. The older I got, the further he pushed his seduction with me. By the time my parents figured out he was doing things that he shouldn’t, I was in my early teens

  They’d been devastated when I’d confessed how long he’d been doing things to me. But my uncle was the mayor, and not a clean and upstanding one. There was no way to make him pay through the legal system. So, my parents did what they could. They sent me away to boarding school.

  I’d gotten six months of peace before my parents paid the price for taking me away from him. He killed them. Oh, sure, it was on the record as a tragic car accident where my dad lost control of their car and it went over a cliff. I never did believe that story. But none of that changed the fact in the aftermath of their deaths, my custody was handed over to the only remaining relative. My uncle. Who’d promptly pulled me from the boarding school and brought me home.

  A full body shudder ran through me as I pulled up in front of my little house. The memories were crowding in on me, too many to force them all away. I didn’t want this. Any of it. I hadn’t wanted it back then, and I sure as fuck didn’t want to relive it now. I sure as hell didn’t want Blade to run off after my uncle and get himself hurt, or killed. When the loud rumble of his bike cut off, the air was unnaturally quiet. But I couldn’t move. Couldn’t peel my fingers away from the steering wheel to hit the garage door opener so I could put my car away. When my door opened, letting the cool outside air wash over me, I jerked against the seat but still I couldn’t release my tight grip.

  “Fuck, ba— Veronica.”

  He remembered I didn’t like being called baby. Couldn’t stand it. I was grateful he’d listened when I’d mentioned it the other day. Without moving, I watched as he turned the engine off and pulled the keys from the ignition, then gently pried my hands from the wheel, using his grip on them to pull me up and out of the car. Once standing, he wrapped his uninjured arm around my waist, pulling me in tightly against him as he closed my door and locked it. I normally put it in the garage but I’d worry about that later. I nuzzled my nose in against his chest, inhaling his scent. My head felt strange, like I couldn’t quite grab the thoughts that were passing me by. But at least the memories were starting to fade away, for the moment.

  “C’mon, gorgeous.”

  He scooped my trembling body up in his arms and I had the brief worry he was hurting his burns by carrying me, but before I could voice anything, the thought floated away. I kept my face pressed against him as he started moving. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in his lap on my couch, his touch gentle on my face and hair. He’d pulled my throw blanket over me and I was cozy and warm, curled up against his strong chest.

  The comparison to how my uncle would hold me had me tensing for a moment, but before I completely lost my damn mind, I focused on the differences. Blade’s hands were nowhere near the junction of my thighs or my boobs. He was stroking my hair and cheek gently. He hadn’t removed any of my clothes, he’d only taken off my shoes before he’d pulled a blanket over m
e.

  Blade was not my uncle.

  He was not there to hurt me. Hopefully.

  Taking a deep breath, I spread my fingers out over his chest, but I wanted more contact. Needed to be closer. Carefully, I slipped three buttons through their holes then slid my hand inside, my palm sliding over the smooth, warm skin of his pectoral muscle. Pressing it flat, I sighed at the feel of his heart thumping against my palm.

  “You back with me, Veronica?”

  “Hmm. How long was I out?”

  “Not sure. Ten minutes or so. Scared the hell outta me, sweetheart. I was getting ready to call Keys to get Donna over here. That happen often?”

  “I’m not even sure what that was…”

  He reached under the blanket and flicked open the rest of his buttons. I lifted myself up for a moment as he leaned forward and shrugged out of it. “This okay?”

  “Yeah, more than okay.”

  I snuggled back against him, loving how his warm skin felt against my cheek. How would it feel to be completely naked with him? I mentally shook my head. Nope, I wasn’t going to push this there. Baby steps, I needed to take this thing in tiny, little, baby steps so I didn’t freak out again.

  “Good. I like having you in my arms, pressed against me. Close your eyes and get some rest, little dove. I’ve got you covered. Just forget about whatever the fuck I triggered. You’re safe with me.”

  On some level I knew I was being stupidly naive for believing this man, but I was so damn tired and it felt so nice to be held by him. Felt good to have his muscular body surrounding mine, caging me in with a sensation of safety rather than danger. With a deep sigh, I once more nuzzled in against him and closed my eyes, letting myself go.

  Chapter Five

  Blade

  What a fucking week.

  After a long, sleepless night on Veronica’s couch holding her while she slept like the dead against my bare chest, I’d hauled my ass back to the clubhouse to discover Bash’s—one of the prospects—mother had passed away. Man was understandably a mess and everyone was focused on getting him through the week. I didn’t know him well enough to know what was going on in his head, but with how withdrawn he’d been, it didn’t surprise me when, on Thursday night, it was announced that in the morning he was going to head up north for a while, maybe for good. Seemed like the guy had been well-liked and the mood around the clubhouse had been a somber one all fucking week.