Page 19 of Blade (Spartan Watchmen MC #5)

A silent communication seemed to pass between the club members. Finally, Lucky nodded. "Alright. We'll take this to church, work out the details. If we're doing this, we're doing it right. Full resources, full commitment."

"I want in on the planning," Blade insisted. "Even if I can't physically participate in the execution."

"Of course," Lucky agreed. "We'll need your tactical expertise. And your knowledge of Jose's psychology."

"And I need to be there too," Lily added firmly. "No planning my part in this without me present."

Lucky raised an eyebrow at her assertiveness but nodded. "Fair enough. Church meeting in one hour. That gives you two some time to... catch up." His knowing look as it passed between Blade and Lily made her blush slightly. "Rampage, Irish, Savage with me. Let's start working through the logistics."

The men filed out, leaving Blade and Lily alone for the first time since the attack at the cabin. For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of everything that had happened, and everything still to come, hanging between them.

Then Lily moved closer, perching carefully on the edge of the bed to avoid disturbing his injuries. "You really do look terrible," she said softly, her free hand coming up to brush his hair back from his forehead.

"You look beautiful," he replied honestly. "Fierce. Ready for war."

A small smile curved her lips. "Is that a compliment?"

"The highest I know how to give," he confirmed. Then, more seriously: "I've missed you."

"It's only been two days," she reminded him, though her expression told him she'd felt the separation just as keenly.

"Longest two days of my life," he admitted.

Her smile widened briefly, then faded as her gaze dropped to his bandaged chest. "How bad is it, really? No bullshit."

"Bad enough," he acknowledged. "Through-and-through, missed anything vital, but I lost a lot of blood. Doc says I'll recover fully, but it'll take time."

"Time we don't have," she murmured.

"Yeah." He reached up, ignoring the pain the movement caused, to cup her cheek. "Lily, are you sure about this? About walking into Jose's trap, even with backup? Even with a plan? It's a hell of a risk."

She leaned into his touch, her eyes closing briefly. "I'm terrified," she admitted. "But sometimes being brave means doing what's necessary even when you're scared out of your mind."

"Your dad again?" he guessed.

She nodded. "He never ran from a fight. Never left anyone behind. I can't do any less."

Pride and fear warred within him. Pride at her courage, fear for what it might cost her. "You're something else, you know that?"

"So I've been told," she replied with a small smile.

Then, more seriously: "We're going to get through this, Blade.

Together. And when it's over, when Jose is no longer a threat.

.." She hesitated, a vulnerability entering her expression that hadn't been there when she'd been discussing plans to face down a sociopath.

"When it's over, maybe we can figure out.

.. this. Us. Whatever this is between us. "

His heart stuttered at the naked hope in her eyes. "I'd like that," he said softly. "Very much."

She bit her lip, seeming to gather her courage. "Before all hell breaks loose again, before we're out of time, I need to tell you something."

"Anything," he encouraged when she paused.

"These past few days... you've become important to me.

More than important. Essential." The words tumbled out now, as if she'd been holding them back too long.

"I know it's fast. I know it's complicated by everything that's happening around us.

But I need you to know, in case... in case things go wrong. "

"Lily—" he began, wanting to reassure her, to promise her that nothing would go wrong, that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

"No, let me finish," she interrupted gently.

"I need to say this. When I first met you, I was scared, desperate. I was being blackmailed to spy on your club and get close. You were kind to me, built blocks and made me snacks at The Citadel. Your kindness made me decide not to spy on them. I couldn’t do that to you.

And then, weeks later, you were just the enforcer sent to collect me.

But now..." She took a deep breath. "Now you're the man I think about when I wake up.

The voice I hear in my head when I'm doubting myself.

The arms I want around me when I'm afraid. "

Her cheeks flushed with color, but she held his gaze, determined to get through this confession.

"And maybe it's just trauma bonding. Maybe it's just the situation we're in, pushing us together.

But it doesn't feel like that. It feels.

.. real. The most real thing I've felt in a very long time. I want to explore us. I might not be looking forward to the spanking you’ve promised me, but I look forward to what it means. It means us. You. Me. As my Daddy."

Blade's throat tightened with emotion. Words had never been his strong suit, especially words about feelings. But for her, he would try.

"It is real," he said, his voice rough with conviction. "What's between us. It's not just circumstance or proximity or shared trauma. It's something else. Something... right."

Relief softened her features. "So I'm not crazy?"

"If you are, then so am I," he replied with a small smile.

"And I've never felt more sane than when I'm with you. Even in the middle of all this chaos. You are mine. My girlfriend. My life. My little. I’ve known since the last playdate at The Citadel. I thought I had time… time for you to come to the same conclusion. I’m so grateful you have, little girl. "

She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "I'm going to do everything in my power to come back to you. To come home to you."

Home.

The word resonated through him, powerful and perfect. Yes, that's what they'd found in each other, despite the unlikely circumstances. A home. A belonging.

"And I'll move heaven and earth to make sure you can," he promised. Then, because he needed to say it, needed her to hear it at least once before she walked into danger: "I love you, Lily Hart. It's too soon, and it's too complicated, and I don't deserve half of what you are, but I love you."

Tears welled in her eyes, but they were accompanied by a smile so radiant it nearly took his breath away. "I love you too. God help me, but I do."

He closed the small distance between them, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both gentle and desperate, mindful of his injuries but unable to hold back the emotion behind it. She kissed him back with equal fervor, her hands cradling his face as if he were something infinitely precious.

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, she rested her forehead against his again.

"We're going to make it through this," she whispered fiercely. "Both of us. And then we're going to figure out what comes after."

"Together," he agreed. "No matter what."

And as they sat there, holding each other close in the quiet of the medical room, both knew that the coming days would test that promise to its limits. That danger and violence lay ahead. That nothing was guaranteed.

But they also knew that what they'd found in each other was worth fighting for. Worth risking everything for.

A home. A belonging. A love neither had expected but both now refused to surrender.

No matter what Jose threw at them. No matter what fate had in store.

Together. No matter what.