Page 16

Chapter Sixteen

T wo weeks later, Sapphire had recovered fully. Blade had allowed her to go back to her shop after a couple of days. She’d reported that The Blue Door’s babysitters had done an amazing job at selling her stock. She still had women coming in looking for some of the bikers who’d helped out.

Unfortunately, they’d gotten word while she was ill that the police had freed the man who’d attacked Sapphire because of a technicality. With her now back at work, Blade made frequent trips to the shop to make sure his Little girl was safe and happy. He knew she was jumpy and waiting for her attacker to return. He hated for her to feel this way.

With her at the clubhouse, Blade could relax. Sapphire would be safe here. He watched her hanging out with the other women a short distance away. She seemed to have fun with her companions.

Blade spent time with his Shadowridge Guardian brothers at the bar. The MC had welcomed Sapphire, and Blade knew they would do anything to protect her—as he would act to ensure the other Littles were safe. When Kade nodded, signaling him to step to the side, Blade followed him to a more private spot.

“I found your guy,” Kade said under his breath as he handed Blade a note with an address. “He lurks here.”

Blade glanced at it and nodded. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

“I’ll collect later. You protect your Little girl.”

Blade stuffed the note in his pocket and turned to look at the library room entrance. Several Littles had disappeared inside for what they called official business. When Sapphire had hesitated to join the group, Ivy had linked her arm with Sapphire’s and guided her into the gathering. Sapphire had peeked over her shoulder to meet Blade’s gaze. Her huge grin celebrated her inclusion.

He would pay the man a visit soon.

“Blade! He’s back. I can see him outside the rear door. I’ve called the cops.”

“I’m on my way,” Blade said, dropping his wrench with a ringing bang as he ran for his bike. He didn’t have to say a word. Ink and Snake followed him.

When they arrived at the rear of the jewelry store, Blade scanned the area. The man wasn’t there. He knew that Sapphire hadn’t imagined it. The guy must have fled when the sound of the motorcycle engines revving reached him.

The back door burst open, and Sapphire ran outside. “He was here. He left just as I heard you coming.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Look. Here’s the police,” Blade pointed to the squad car that appeared in the parking lot.

In a few minutes, the squad car left the parking lot. They’d taken a copy of the security cam footage and would add this to the case against the would-be intruder.

“Nothing can stop him. I’m just a sitting duck here. What can I do?” Sapphire asked, distraught.

“You’re going to be vigilant and stay safe. He’ll mess up long before he hurts you, and no technicality will save him that time,” Blade promised, wishing he could make that the truth.

He spent the rest of the afternoon at The Blue Door with Sapphire. Blade distracted her with the design to address Ivy’s wish for a protective piece of jewelry that would be beautiful as well. In a flurry of sketches and adaptations, the artist and the weaponry expert both contributed their talents to create something a woman would love to wear with a secondary use of keeping her safe.

As they left at closing time, Blade was glad to find Sapphire was excited to focus on the new idea. She had already decided to make them for all her friends, so they’d be safe as well, but Ivy would receive the first one. Sapphire had already started to build the mold to create the components. Then they’d only need a chain, and Sapphire had plenty of those in stock.

Her enthusiasm had continued through bedtime. He’d tucked her in and then stretched out next to Sapphire to help her fall asleep. As soon as he could tell from her breathing that she slept soundly, Blade crept away from the bed and out of the room.

Kade approached as Blade walked through the clubhouse to get to his bike. “Need backup?”

“I’ll do better alone so I don’t alert him. Can I count on you to keep an eye on Sapphire?” Blade asked.

“Definitely,” the large man assured him.

“Thanks.”

Blade turned and stalked from the room. Already focused on what he would need to do, he jumped on his bike and guided his motorcycle out of the parking lot. A lot of people still traveled on the roads, but as he neared the location Kade had reported the scumbag slunk to at night, the streets emptied. No one wanted to hang around this area—especially in the dark. No one, of course, but someone on a hunting expedition.

Blade parked his bike several blocks away and left his cut on his seat as a warning to anyone who might consider stealing his ride. He moved silently through the streets. Following Kade’s directions, he located the abandoned building where one Albert Jacobs spent his nights. He moved quietly through the rooms, checking on several people sleeping to locate his target.

In a back room, he found him. Blade pulled a knife from his jeans and crept close. It took all his self-control not to end the scumbag who had threatened Sapphire. With the sharp edge held to Albert’s throat, he nudged him awake. “Make a noise and I won’t give you a chance,” Blade promised.

“You’re that guy with the earring lady,” the man said hoarsely.

“That’s right. You’re going to forget she exists and take a bus out of town. I’ll give you three days to make the wise decision to move elsewhere. And, of course, you’ll never come back.”

“I’m not leaving. I know people here,” Albert answered.

“You’re a pleasant fellow. You’ll charm new friends,” Blade said sarcastically.

“I have rights. You can’t force me get out of town.”

“You’re not too smart, are you?” Blade asked, pressing his knife tighter to Albert’s neck. “How’s the wrist?” he asked, nodding at the filthy bandage that clung to the man’s skin. “I could have killed you with that throw. You cause her even a second of distress and I’ll aim much differently.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“Or I might just decide that she would sleep better at night after your friends find your body in an alley somewhere. That’s always a risk.”

“You’re just trying to scare me,” Albert said with bravado that didn’t quite erase the fear in his eyes.

“No. If frightening you was my goal, I’d draw your attention to the other knife I’m holding next to your dick.” Blade flexed his fingers slightly, allowing the other man to feel the sharp tip.

Blade didn’t think it was possible for more of the whites of the man’s eyes to show. He was wrong. “You’ve got three days. I’ve even made your life easier by buying you a nonrefundable ticket to the location of your choice, at least two hundred miles away.”

The man looked at him with way too much defiance. Blade knew he’d need convincing. “Oh, I should warn you to keep your guard up against any possible threat. I’ll be sure to remind you of our chat tonight from time to time.”

Flexing his hand by the man’s crotch, Blade sliced through the filthy jeans and opened a shallow cut. His sharp blade accomplished that so easily that his target didn’t feel anything. He’d notice tomorrow when he woke up to find his pant leg was blood soaked. The ticket was inside the man’s coat. That would make Albert wonder how Blade had accomplished that without waking him.

He walked to the door, hearing Albert scrambling behind him. Blade kept to the shadows and climbed to an elevated position. Just as he’d expected, Albert followed him. Blade tossed a sharp knife toward his target, causing Albert to jerk back as the edge grazed his nose on its path before thudding into the wooden fence beside him.

With a string of expletives, Blade’s target turned and ran, retracing the route he’d come from.

Thud .

Albert stopped in his tracks as a knife landed between his feet in the alleyway. He looked up and shook his fist. “You can’t scare me. I’m not going anywhere.”

Blade disappeared as he laughed soundlessly. He’d had no idea this would be so fun.

Later that day, he stopped Albert in his tracks when the violent man passed the small bakery three doors down from The Blue Door. The beleaguered man discovered a knife pinned his unworn hood on his sweatshirt to the wooden siding. Blade enjoyed the man’s panicked thrashing when the garment choked him as it pulled against his neck.

The voice of Albert’s companion drifted to Blade as the younger man ran. “They told me someone’s after you. Keep away from me.”

It seemed the word was out. No one wanted to be around Albert. They all thought Blade would have to miss and hit someone soon. They didn’t realize he never missed.

“Fuck!” Albert screamed a couple hours later when the sandwich he lifted to his mouth exploded. He turned to find a single slice of salami tidily tacked to the wall with an ice pick.

By that evening, Albert was on a one-way bus headed to Toledo. Albert never saw the employee in the ticket booth send a notifying text, revealing his destination. The Shadowridge Guardians MC had a lot of friends in town. Blade would alert a motorcycle club in that city to be aware of him when he returned to the clubhouse. After hiking back to his bike, Blade swung his leg over the seat. He’d have some explaining to do to his Little girl.

The MC wouldn’t ask questions. He figured Kade had a good idea of what he was doing. Blade had already arranged for Snake to take over for him in making some of the components for the latest build. His prospect needed time to work independently.

Sapphire would have a lot to say.

“What do you mean you watched my attacker get on a bus to Toledo?”

“That’s the good news, Little girl. He’s gone and should be out of our lives,” Blade assured her. He carefully controlled his expression to squelch the smile that would reveal his amusement.

“You left me in the middle of the night and didn’t answer any of my calls. I thought something had happened to you. The guys in the MC seemed to know more than I did, but they wouldn’t tell me anything,” she ranted.

“I’m sorry, Blue Eyes. I wasn’t in a place where I could pull out my phone. You wanted me to be safe, right?”

“That means you were in danger. That isn’t acceptable. Especially because I guessed you were dealing with that menace to society,” Sapphire accused him. Each word that emerged from her mouth was louder than the previous one. She was totally out of control.

“Don’t yell at me, Sapphire. You can be upset with me without shouting. It’s important for you to remember that I can take care of myself. I was not in danger, and I wouldn’t put myself in peril. I have way too much to live for, Little girl.”

“I can yell if I want,” she answered at the top of her voice.

“You can. Your throat may not be too happy with you in a few minutes. I know your ass won’t be,” Blade told her calmly as he walked into the bedroom.

The other room was quiet as he pulled out the toy drawer. Sapphire was listening. Purposefully, he rattled several things inside as he gathered a plug and the lubricant. Returning, Blade watched her gaze settle on the items he held.

“I don’t have to wear that,” she said quickly.

“I thought I’d get it ready if you wanted to continue ranting.”

“I have the right to be angry,” Sapphire told him, her focus narrowing in on his face.

“Why exactly are you upset—because I put myself at risk?” Blade asked, tapping the base of the plug on the counter.

“Yes! You should have left everything to the police. They get paid to handle bad guys.”

“They have to work within parameters. I don’t have any barriers,” Blade explained. “I’m not always a good guy, Blue Eyes. Sometimes the situation demands a much different approach than the law would allow.”

“Like this one? What did you do?”

“Not much. I harassed him a bit. He made the decision to leave.”

“A bit,” she repeated sarcastically. “What did you do? Carve him into small pieces?”

“Not quite.”

“That doesn’t reassure me.” She propped her hands on her hips and stared at him.

She was so cute Blade struggled not to smile. Enough of Albert Jacobs. “He left town on a bus of his own free will. He’s gone. Do you want to keep rehashing this or shall we stop thinking about that asshole?”

Sapphire’s jaw dropped as she digested his suggestion. Finally, her shoulders sagged back into a more relaxed position and the anger dissipated from her face as she realized it was over. “I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder?”

“It’s always smart to be aware of people around you.”

“Everybody else likes me,” she whispered.

“Of course they do. You’re a sweetheart, Blue Eyes.”

“I don’t like that you put yourself in danger.”

“I can’t change who I am, Sapphire. No one messes with my Little girl.” He walked forward and hugged her close. Blade felt her muscles relax as she leaned into him. “I love you, Blue Eyes.”

“I love you, too, Daddy. I promise. No more time wasted on Albert Jacobs.”

“That’s my good girl. What did you do today at work?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I made a prototype for a necklace weapon,” she shared. “A new idea popped into my mind.”

“Can I see it?”

Sapphire stepped away to rummage in her large purse and pulled out a plastic pouch. Opening it carefully, she extracted her creation. When Blade held out his hand, she placed it gently on his palm.

Blade lifted it. The piece was delightful. “Everyone is going to want this. You’ve captured such a great expression on his face.”

“I thought I could make them in different colors. Ivy’s bear is Lucky. He’s golden brown. I got this as close to that color as I could from my memory. I might have to tweak it a bit.”

“I bet it’s perfect. Does pressing the nose work?” he asked. The mechanics of creating a push button release for the blade had been tricky.

“Try it,” Sapphire challenged him.

One firm touch to the enamel bear’s nose and the ears separated from the top of the head. As he pulled that section free, a long blade appeared, forming a T shape from the bear-ear handle. Blade wrapped his fingers around the teddy bear’s ears with the blade extending freely.

Lifting it, the simple design felt good in his hands and would be very effective for both slashing and stabbing. “This is unbelievably cute and lethal. No one would expect that this would be a self-defense gadget. Shall we show Ivy? See what she thinks?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“Not before this plug is in place,” Blade reminded her, tapping the plug on the countertop again.

“I can’t wear that out there,” Sapphire refused with a shake of her head.

“You can and will. This will remind you who’s in charge.”

“But….” His Little girl swallowed hard before continuing, “I don’t want to.”

“I know.”

“You could just give me a pass this time. Forget that I yelled,” she suggested.

He shook his head. “That won’t help you make better decisions in the future.”

“And that will?” she asked, waving a hand toward the plug.

“Yes.”

Her gaze focused on the metal object in his hand. Blade watched her expressions and tracked the thoughts he could read floating over her face. Defiance. Reflection on her actions. Acknowledgement of his dominance. Resignation mixed with titillation. If he had to make a bet, Blade would put all his money that she was already wet with desire.

When her eyes lifted to meet his, he knew she was ready. “Come here, Blue Eyes. Let’s put your plug in and we can go hear everyone’s squeals of excitement.”

When she approached, he dealt with her jeans and panties before turning her around to lean over the counter. His palm smoothed over the rounded curves of her bottom. “Such a pretty Little girl,” he whispered to her and watched her relax on the hard surface.

Blade lubricated her bottom well and slid the plug into place. As she wiggled in position, he pressed a hand to her lower spine. “Stay here. Daddy will help you get dressed in just a minute.”

“Yes, Daddy,” she answered, completely in Littlespace mode. “Can we put a bow on Ivy’s necklace?”

“Of course. I think there is a fun gift bag and bows in the supply closet. Should we check there on our way?”

“That would be so fun. She’d like that,” Sapphire assured him.

“Stand up, Blue Eyes, and we’ll go see.”

“Ooo!” Sapphire looked at him in shock as she rose and moved around.

“An excellent reminder, isn’t it?”

“Daddy!”

“We’ll go slowly.”

Blade hid his amusement as she walked in tiny baby steps to the door and across the hallway to the supply closet where the MC kept their special supplies. Sapphire immediately pointed to a new hair bow sitting on the shelf that was labeled with her name. “Look, Daddy.”

“I think that’s for you. It’s the same color as your eyes.” Blade clipped back a section of her hair with the new decoration and declared it perfect. “Should we go see who we should thank for that?”

“Yes, but Ivy’s present first.” Sapphire wouldn’t allow herself to be distracted from her mission.

Blade appreciated whoever had thought of adding cute gift bags. Sapphire chose one with green butterflies on it and carefully tucked the necklace in its plastic pouch inside. She held on to both his hand and the handle as they strolled slowly down the hallway. He had a feeling a distraction would help keep her mind from focusing on the plug in her bottom. Only time would tell.

When they reached the group of eight Littles sitting at one of the tables playing spoons, all the women jumped up to hug Sapphire.

Remi asked, “What’s that for? A present from your Daddy?”

“It’s for Ivy. My Daddy and I designed it for her,” Sapphire said nervously as she held it out to Ivy. “I hope you like it.”

“You didn’t have to get me something,” Ivy said as she reached for the bag. “What is it? Oh, look, everyone. It’s a teddy bear. It’s just like the bear on the Shadowridge Guardians’ cuts.”

“Let me show you what it does,” Sapphire offered. “You press the bear’s nose, and this slides away. Then you hold that piece like this. Be careful. It’s sharp.”

“You remembered and made me something to wear that could protect me. What do I do with it if someone attacks me?” Ivy squealed, looking at Blade. Her voice attracted the attention of the other MC members, who crowded around.

Blade suspected his smile was as big as his Little girl’s. Ivy’s reaction and excitement was contagious. Sapphire had put so much into this design. He was proud of her.

“It works to stab or slash. Now, if you feel scared, pull this and have it ready. You can use your hand to cover what you’re doing. You’re just fumbling with your necklace,” Blade told her. “If you don’t need it, you can put it back. If you do, you’re ready. Don’t be hesitant. Strike out with determination. Be a warrior.”

Ivy nodded. A slow smile spread over her lips. “It’s the same color as Lucky.” She carefully put the ears back into place before holding it out to Sapphire. “Will you put it on me?”

“Sure. Turn around.” Sapphire fastened the chain. “There you go.”

Ivy whirled around to hug her tight. “Thank you so much!”

Blade watched Sapphire’s eyes widen as the appreciative Little jostled Sapphire’s body. That plug was making itself known.

She gathered herself quickly to answer, “I’m glad you like it. I thought I would offer to create more necklaces. That is, if you would each like one? I can make them without the detachable weapon if you’re more comfortable that way.”

“I’m going to recommend that every Little should have a device to defend themselves. I’d like to see this original design for everyone, but their Daddies may have other ideas,” Steele suggested.

The MC members nodded their agreement—even those without Littles.

“You never know where you’ll be when something crappy happens. I’d like one with the self-protection feature,” Molly stated. “Could it also have a pin to secure it?”

“Of course. I can add that,” Sapphire assured the group. “That’s a great idea. Then you can put it wherever it’s best for you. Even inside a pocket.”

Blade watched the women gather close together as they discussed all the possibilities. Their chatter focused on different colors to match their stuffies. He hated that this was necessary but loved how Sapphire had combined something dear to them with a secondary use.

“You could make a million dollars on those,” Ink pointed out.

“It’s worth a million to keep our Littles safe,” Blade assured him. “I wonder who’s next to find their Littles?”

“Maybe King? He’s seemed distracted lately. He’s definitely been spending his time somewhere else,” Steele observed. “We’ll find out soon enough. Are you still planning to empty Sapphire’s apartment tomorrow?”

“Yes. She’s ready to stay permanently,” Blade told him.

“Perfect. You got lucky, Blade,” Kade said.

“That’s definitely true. I’m not letting her go. She’s one of us,” Blade told the men.

They turned to look at the gathered Littles all animatedly talking. No drama. No competition. The Littles’ relationships with each other were strong. These were their confidants and greatest supporters. Knowing his Little would have these incredible women in her corner reassured Blade. She was safe here.

As he watched, the Littles checked in frequently toward their men. Blade sensed their relationships with their Daddies were forged with heat and genuine love. Seeing the Littles with their Daddies over the last months had proved beyond a doubt that their feelings were deep. He’d never known how much he could care about someone until Sapphire had appeared in his life.

He glanced at the men gathered in the clubhouse and suddenly felt very lucky. Not many people found a group that accepted them as they were—without reservations. His brothers in the Shadowridge Guardians meant more to him than his blood relatives.

“Daddy! You’re so serious. Is everything okay?” Sapphire asked, wrapping her beautifully tattooed arms around his neck.

Blade wrapped his arms around her, pulling his Little close. Her gasp made him smile. She was definitely sensitive to that plug. “Everything is better than okay. The guys are going to help get you moved tomorrow. Do you still want to bring your furniture here to fill an empty room? At some point, a guest or one of the new members will move in there.”

“I’d love it if a Guardian could use a bed or a battered couch. My stuff isn’t very good,” she said and bit her lip.

“No worries, Blue Eyes. Your things will help someone settle in here. A bit worn is fine. If it was too fancy, the bikers would be afraid to sit on it.”

That mental image brought a giggle to her lips—and another quick inhale.

“I think your reminder has done its job. Let’s go back to our apartment and I’ll show you how much I love you, Little girl.”

“I’d like that, Daddy.”