Page 48 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

“There was no way in hell I wouldn’t have come even if you hadn’t asked for me. And I’m not alone. Demon, Vex, Bull, Ajax, and Torque came with me. They were the ones who came to the Abodes to let me know what happened. They knew I’d want to head this way immediately.”

“We’re glad to see you and that you made it so quickly and safely. I assume the rest are at the clubhouse?” Rage asked.

“They are. I needed to see Braelyn. Is that where Wrath is?” I asked.

“He is, though he, Jalisa, and Chaos will be headed here soon. My son is on the warpath. He’s out for blood, and at the moment, he doesn’t care whose blood it is. Wrath wants to beat the ass off Eli Jenner and go from there,” he growled.

“What did Eli do?” I asked.

“He didn’t do anything,” Brae protested.

“Like hell he didn’t! The asshole insisted you come into the office just so he could see you were alright and to present a new case he wants you to be working on to make him look good,” Rage snapped.

“Daddy Rage, it wasn’t a waste. I discovered important information the clubs need to know and did a deposition,” she reminded him. I wondered what the important information we needed to know was.

“We’ll come back to the information part. I wonder if I could speak to Braelyn alone. That is, if you’re okay with being alone with me,” I hastily added.

“Yes, I’m okay being alone with you, and it’s probably a good idea to talk. Mom, Daddy Rage, if you’ll excuse us. I’ll take Loki to my room,” she said.

“Of course, and if the others show up, we’ll let them know you’re busy. Take your time. You both have things that need to be resolved,” her mom said.

I wasn’t sure if I liked the sound of that. The way Betty was staring at her daughter seemed to be communicating something. Was I wrong to think that the fact that Brae asked for me and the way she kissed me meant something good? What if it didn’t? My chest tightened for a different reason.

When Brae stood, I got up, too. She held my hand and led me to a room that I recognized as the guest bedroom we stayed in before.

Walking inside it, I shut the door behind us.

Brae didn’t stop until we were at the edge of the bed.

She sat on it, then tugged on my hand, so I sat beside her.

I angled myself so I could see her. Braelyn was biting on her bottom lip and seemed unsure.

“Braelyn, whatever you want to say, just say it. If it’s something you know I won’t want to know, it’s better to get it out. But I want a chance to reply and to say some things to you.”

“I’m not sure what you’ll think. And there’s so much I want to say and ask. First, I’ve got to say thank you for coming, and I know it had to be hard to leave Xander. Wrath told me the test showed he’s your son, like I thought, and that he’s been living with you. How is it going?”

“You never have to thank me for wanting to see or caring about you, Brae. As for Xander, it was hard to leave him since I know he’s still unsure of the whole situation with me, but he’s in great hands.

The old ladies and other Warriors will keep him safe and occupied.

We’re finding a routine. There’s so much about him I’d love to tell you, but that can wait.

I want to ask you something that’s concerning me at the moment, and it has been since I came through the door. ”

“I’m so happy for the two of you, Loki. I really am. Okay, ask me.”

“What’s wrong with you? Have you been sick? You’re pale, tired-looking, and you’ve lost weight. I felt your bones out there when I hugged and touched you. Have you been to a doctor? Has this situation with the hit list and us done this to you?” I couldn’t keep my deep concern out of my tone.

“I know I look like hell. The crying didn’t help. Sorry. I should’ve put on some makeup before you arrived,” she responded as she tried to hide her face. I grabbed her hand and removed it.

“Screw the makeup. You’re beautiful no matter what. I’m worried about your health. Did you see a doctor?”

“No, I haven’t. The stress of what’s happened these past two weeks, combined with the Cedric situation, is the cause. I haven’t been hungry, and the thought of food makes me sick. I’ll be fine once this is over,” Brae assured me.

“And if it drags on for weeks? No, we need to get you seen. I won’t take no for an answer, Spellbinder. Your health is too important. Hang on,” I muttered before I took out my phone and tapped on it.

“Honey, don’t. We’ll worry about it later,” she objected.

I shook my head and kept typing. She sighed but didn’t try to dissuade me again.

I sent my text to Bull. He’d make sure to convey what I needed and why.

The club had to have someone they used for medical issues beyond Stitch’s capabilities.

If not, I’d see about getting her to Zara or bringing Zara here.

With that sent off, I focused back on her. Brae was giving me a tender look. “You can’t help yourself, can you? You have to be in charge and ensure things are done to your satisfaction,” she teased.

“I do when it concerns something as important as you. Tell me what happened from the moment you got into the car to come home until you arrived back here,” I demanded.

Braelyn took me through the entire thing.

My heart jumped when she described not knowing what the sound was at first, how the window shattered from a bullet, and then the tension-filled ride back to the compound.

She admitted that she broke down and was hysterical.

I kept picturing her dead in the backseat.

I had to wrap her up in my arms and hold her tightly.

“Jesus Christ. No wonder Wrath wants to beat Eli’s ass. With the danger you’re in, he could’ve done the meeting as a video conference and gotten someone else to depose that person. I bet he’s pressuring you to come back to work, isn’t he?” I asked. When she didn’t answer, I had my answer.

“Well, I don’t give a damn what he says or threatens, you’re not going back until this Alves situation and whatever else is resolved.

I might not be your old man anymore, but I’ll sit here and handcuff you to the fucking bed to make sure you do it, although I can’t see Wrath and the others allowing you to leave,” I growled.

I had her against my chest, so I wasn’t looking at her face. Her body shook, causing me to put space between us to see her expression. I was surprised to find her smirking.

“What’s up with that face?” I asked.

“I was thinking of you handcuffing me. Can I have that even if I don’t attempt to go back to work?”

The thought of her that way made my cock twitch before beginning to harden. I groaned. “Don’t say that.”

“Why? Doesn’t it make you wonder?”

“Hell, yeah, it does, and I’m getting hard at the thought. You can’t torture me that way, Brae. You left me, and I’m holding onto my sanity by a hair. Saying stuff like that gives me false hope.”

Braelyn gave me a contrite look. “I’m sorry. I should explain what I’ve realized these past two weeks.” She scooted back to put more room between us. I hated it, but I let her.

“I’ve been going over what happened and what you told me about you, Roxie, and your family.

I won’t lie and say that it still doesn't bother me that you felt you had to hide those things from me, regardless of your reasons. Having you do that made me feel vulnerable and disconnected from you. How can we be each other’s partner, best friend, and ultimate love if we keep secrets?

It angered me that I shared things that were shameful and embarrassing to me with you.

What makes me have to be completely open with you, but not expect the same in return?

Hurt and anger caused my reaction, and I wanted you to feel what you were making me feel.

Then to discover you had a child with this person you never told me about, and you had loved her, or thought you loved her, made it worse.

“I left that day, not knowing if I would ever be able to give you another chance. Had you permanently broken my trust in you, us, and what we felt for each other? I didn’t know. You claimed to love me, but you thought you loved Roxie. What made me different?”

I had to bite my tongue so as not to interrupt her. As hard as it was to listen and stay quiet, I allowed her to speak her mind.

“It’s been utter hell for me. I don’t sleep, I can’t eat.

I want to lie in bed and cry. My energy is gone.

That’s why I look so terrible. However, I’ve been able to think and I’ve gained clarity.

Being with someone who can’t give as much as I do is not someone I can be with.

I watched not only how the physical and verbal abuse destroyed my parents and me, but also the impact of one person giving and the other taking.

Not sharing a life with my spouse is something I don’t want.

And I could never raise a family in that environment.

So, as difficult as it has been, I know what I did was right.

I can’t be your old lady…” She stopped talking, and my gut dropped.

I couldn’t catch my breath, and I felt faint.

Fuck! She wasn’t coming back to me. Braelyn continued after the long pause.

“...Unless you swear on your club that you’ll tell me everything going forward and that there will be no more secrets between us. I know the club business issue may require it at times, but that’s not what I mean. Or maybe you changed your mind about me. I guess I should’ve asked you that first.”

The way Brae gave me a hesitant look made me respond the only way I could. I took her down on the mattress with her pressed against my body. In this kiss, I poured even more than the last one.