Page 26 of Blade (Spartan Watchmen MC #5)

"I'll rest when Jose's dealt with," he replied, an edge of steel entering his voice. "When you're safe at the clubhouse. Not before."

She recognized the implacability in his tone. This wasn't a battle she would win, not in her current condition.

"Speaking of Jose," she said instead, changing tactics, "what's the latest?"

Blade hesitated, clearly debating how much to share with her in her weakened state.

"All of it," she insisted. "I'm not some fragile flower, Blade. I took two bullets and lived to tell the tale. I think I can handle information."

Pride flickered across his features at her words. "Fair enough," he conceded. "Savage tracked Jose to a private airfield in Wyoming. He was too late to intercept, but we know he was headed east. Probably to his compound in North Carolina."

"The one Lucky mentioned," she recalled.

"Exactly. Jay’s been working non-stop to pinpoint the location. We know it's somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, heavily fortified, off-grid. Jose's final fallback position."

"And once you find it?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

"We end this," Blade stated simply. "Permanently."

The cold finality in his voice should have disturbed her. Instead, she found herself nodding. "Good."

His eyebrows rose slightly at her response.

"What?" she challenged. "Did you think I'd argue for mercy? After what he did to Tim? To Marcus? After he tried to kill me, would have killed you if given the chance?"

"No," Blade admitted. "I just... part of me is still getting used to this version of you. The warrior beneath the little girl."

"They're both me," she reminded him. "Always have been. The little who needs care and protection. And the fighter my father trained to survive in a dangerous world."

"I know," he said softly. "And I... I love both parts. Equally."

The simple admission, delivered with such raw honesty, made her breath catch. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he confirmed, his eyes never leaving hers.

"The little girl who curls up with stuffed animals and needs someone to care for her?

I cherish her. I want to protect her, provide for her, and be her safe place.

" His voice deepened slightly. "But the warrior who can take down armed men to protect those she cares about?

Who stands her ground even when terrified?

I admire her. Respect her. Want to fight beside her, not just for her. "

Tears pricked at Lily's eyes, unexpected emotion welling up at his words.

No one had ever understood both sides of her so completely.

Had ever valued both equally. Greg had wanted only the little, the submissive, the dependent.

Others had been uncomfortable with that aspect of her entirely, wanting only the independent, capable woman.

Blade wanted, no he loved , all of her. Just as she was.

"I love you," she whispered, the words feeling insufficient to express the depth of what she felt. "So much it scares me sometimes."

"I know the feeling," he replied with a rueful smile. "Never thought I'd find this. Never thought I'd want it. Then you crashed into my life, and suddenly nothing made sense without you in it."

Before she could respond, a nurse entered the room, clipboard in hand. "Good to see you awake, Ms. Hart," she said cheerfully. "Time for vitals and medication."

Blade released Lily's hand, moving back slightly to give the nurse room to work. But his eyes never left Lily's face, the connection between them unbroken despite the interruption.

As the nurse checked her vital signs and administered a fresh dose of pain medication, Lily found herself thinking about the future.

About what might come after Jose was dealt with, after she recovered.

About the life she might build with this complicated, fierce, tender man who loved all parts of her.

If she survived. If he survived.

A shadow crossed her mind at the thought. Jose was still out there, still a threat. And Blade would be at the forefront of the hunt for him, putting himself in danger yet again.

"Your vitals are improving nicely," the nurse observed, making notes on her chart. "Doctor will be in shortly to examine your wounds. If everything looks good, we might be able to discuss transfer options soon."

"Thank you," Lily replied, managing a small smile despite her growing concern.

Once the nurse had left, Blade returned to her side, immediately noticing the change in her expression. "What is it?" he asked.

"I just realized," she began hesitantly, "when I'm transferred to the clubhouse, you'll be going after Jose."

He didn't deny it. "That's the plan, yes."

"Without me," she added, the words tasting bitter.

"Lily," he said gently, "you've been shot. Twice. You nearly died. You're in no condition to?—"

"I know," she interrupted. "Logically, I know that. But the thought of you going after him without me there to watch your back..." she trailed off, unable to articulate the fear gripping her heart.

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You're worried about me."

"Of course I am," she replied with a hint of exasperation. "I love you, you idiot. The idea of you walking into danger while I'm stuck in a bed, useless..." She swallowed hard. "I hate it."

A slow smile spread across his face, surprising her.

"What?" she demanded.

"Now you know how I felt," he pointed out, "watching you go to that quarry without me."

The irony wasn't lost on her. She'd put him through exactly what she was now dreading—the helpless agony of watching someone you love face danger while you remained behind.

"Touché," she conceded. "But that doesn't make it any easier."

"No," he agreed, sobering. "It doesn't. But I'll have the full club behind me. Savage, Lucky, Irish, Rampage, all of them. We'll do this right. A rogue motorcycle club doesn’t stand a chance against special forces operators. We are going to get him. End this. Once and for all. Promise, we’ll be careful. "

"I’m going to need more than that," she insisted, her eyes holding his. "Promise me you'll come back."

He hesitated, clearly wanting to give her the reassurance she needed but unwilling to make a promise he might not be able to keep.

"I'll do everything in my power to come back to you," he said finally. "That's the best promise I can make."

It wasn't the absolute guarantee she wanted, but she appreciated his honesty. Better that than a hollow promise they both knew might be broken.

"I guess that'll have to do," she sighed.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Doc entered, wearing a white coat that seemed at odds with his tattooed forearms and gruff demeanor.

"Well, look who's finally decided to rejoin the land of the living," he said by way of greeting, his gruff tone belied by the genuine smile on his face. "About damn time."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Lily replied, managing a weak smile of her own.

"How's she really doing?" Blade asked, his expression serious once more.

Doc moved to the foot of the bed, picking up her chart. "Better than I expected, actually. Vitals are stabilizing nicely. Latest blood work shows infection markers decreasing. Wound sites look clean from the last check."

"So we can move her soon?" Blade pressed.

"I want to examine her myself first," Doc replied, setting down the chart. "And see the hospital doctor's latest assessment. But if everything checks out, we could potentially transfer her tomorrow."

Relief washed over Blade's face. "Good. The sooner she's at the clubhouse, the better."

Doc nodded his agreement, then turned his attention to Lily. "Mind if I take a look at those wounds? I'll be gentle, promise."

She nodded, bracing herself as he carefully pulled back the hospital gown to examine the bandaged areas. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he checked the wounds, his expression professionally neutral despite what must have been significant trauma to her body.

"Looking good," he pronounced finally, replacing the gown. "You're tough as nails, little one. Anyone else might not have made it through those first twenty-four hours."

"Told you she was a fighter," Blade said, unmistakable pride in his voice.

"That she is," Doc agreed. "Which is why I'm optimistic about the transfer.

I've got everything set up at the clubhouse.

Finally talked him into giving me the two spare apartments instead of just the bay.

We turned it into our own medical ward. Both apartments now have a hospital bed, monitoring equipment, IV stands, and the works.

Plus, Sam was able to hook me up with two nurses we can trust who'll rotate shifts. "

"Sounds like a private hospital wing," Lily observed.

"Pretty much," Doc confirmed. "The club doesn't skimp when it comes to taking care of its own."

Its own. The words warmed her unexpectedly. She'd gone from outsider to protected to... one of them. Family, in their eyes.

"I'll speak with the attending physician," Doc continued, moving toward the door. "Start the discharge paperwork if they're amenable. You just focus on resting, young lady. The hard part's over."

But as he left, Lily couldn't help thinking that the hard part wasn't over at all. Yes, she'd survived. Yes, she was healing. But Jose was still out there, still a threat. And soon, Blade would be heading into danger to end that threat once and for all.

The hard part was the waiting, the worrying, the helpless fear for someone she loved, and it was just beginning.

"Hey," Blade said softly, drawing her attention back to him. "Where'd you go just now?"

"Just thinking," she replied, forcing a small smile. "About the future."

"Good thoughts, I hope?" he prompted.

She hesitated, then decided on honesty. "Scared thoughts," she admitted. "About you going after Jose. About... what happens after, if everything goes well."

"After," he repeated, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You mean, you and me? The club? All of it?"