Page 37 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

CREED

M y gaze meets Micai’s, her brows furrowing with my words.

“It was me, what?” she asks, turning toward Annex, but the psycho asshole just smiles at me. He knew all along, the dickhead.

He knew she was Morgan’s saviour and said nothing.

I shake my head. No, I should have realised it myself sooner.

All the signs were there: her strength, her ability, her ease at moving through the forest with no fear or hesitation during attacks. And Morgan’s behaviour and ease with Micai should have also been a big indicator.

I should have noticed it earlier. How the hell have I been so damn blind?

Fuck. I owe her more than just an apology for all the fucked-up things I’ve said and done now. I owe her a debt, one I’ll never truly be able to repay.

She protected Morgan, she saved her when she could have easily left her ... but I guess Micai is not that kind of person.

A heavy sigh leaves my lips, regret eating away at my conscience as I meet her blue eyes once again.

“You were the one who saved Morgan against the beast the night she was attacked.” It isn’t a question anymore. It was her.

Her eyes widen a fraction, glancing to each of us as realisation dawns about what we were talking about.

“I didn’t know it was you ...” The words feel like ash on my lips, leaving a bad taste as I struggle— and fail —to find the words to properly express my gratitude to her. Especially after everything I’ve said and done.

“Would it have made a difference if you knew?” Micai asks, a strange look in her eyes as she watches me. “Would it have made you less of a dickhead?”

Before I get to answer, she shrugs. “I don’t think it would have. That shit’s embossed into every page of your soul, Creed.”

Annex chuckles beside her, the asshole relishing in all this.

“I wouldn’t have treated you the way I did—” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“You would still have seen me as an outsider and a threat to your group. You also would have questioned my motives for saving Morgan too. It’s just your defensive go-to.” A smirk forms on her lips. “You head straight to dickhead central and ride first class every time.”

Ezra and Mallyn join Annex in chuckling while taking their places beside Micai. And a small grin tilts my lips listening to her and watching them together.

Why had I been so stupid and stubborn, not listening to my brothers sooner?

I shake my head, remembering Micai’s words.

My gaze turns toward her, burrowing into her as a question repeats itself in my mind.

I open my lips but hesitate to utter the words. Until they escape anyway.

“But why did you save Morgan?”

Micai raises her cute little brow, a small scoff leaving her lips with my words as I feel all the tension fade from me.

“But seriously, Micai ...” My voice lowers, sounding softer even to my ears as I take a step closer to her, wanting to know why. “It was dangerous. And you didn’t even know Morgan back then. So, why help her?”

All the boys fall quiet around me as I remember that night and the fear I felt at almost losing Morgan.

Her body was covered in scratches, and she couldn’t even talk properly.

I held her weak body in my arms and thanked the Gods that she was safe.

That someone had saved her ... not knowing that person was in front of me all along.

My eyes trail down Micai’s petite frame.

The beast from that night wasn’t exactly small either. And she fought it alone while protecting my little sister.

“Because I knew I could,” Micai answers, pulling me from my thoughts, her words straight to the point and simple. But her gaze tells me there’s more to them.

“And because ...” Micai continues, her voice falling a little lower, almost to a whisper.

“No one deserves to die like that, helpless and alone, hoping for someone to save you ... to help you.” She shakes her head while clearing her throat, her gaze steadier as she meets mine.

“Why would I let someone innocent die when I can help?”

Her eyes bore into mine, holding so many unspoken words that I can’t quite decipher just yet.

“I wouldn’t.” She shrugs, as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I did what I knew I could do. That’s all.”

She really means it. No hidden agenda, no give and take, she just wanted to help . And my gut twists with the thought.

I’ve treated her horribly since day one, never truly seeing her for who she is. My brothers knew, but I pushed it all away, trying not to disrupt the status quo I had grown used to.

I meet her gaze, those blue eyes watching me carefully.

She doesn’t trust me ... but how can I blame her? I have shown her nothing but the worst of me. But not anymore.

I take a step toward her, her eyes still wary of me. “For saving Morgan ... thank you .” Her eyes widen a fraction, hopefully hearing and seeing the sincerity in me. “And for everything else ...” I drag a hand down my neck. “Apologising won’t cut it, but I’ll show you over time.”

“Show me what?” she asks, her small brows furrowing as she watches me.

And I realise I like the attention she gives me, no matter the form. I enjoy her eyes on me.

A small grin stretches my cheeks. “You’ll see.”

A cute scoff leaves her lips as she rolls her eyes, her thoughts easy to read.

She’s probably calling me a “stubborn dickhead” and not expecting much from me. But I’ll prove her wrong.

I always keep my promises, and once you’re one of my people, I’ll always have your back. I may be a stubborn asshole, but I’m also loyal to a fault.

She protected Morgan and my brothers, so now I’ll protect her.

She’s ours to protect. Me and my brothers.

I glance around at each of them, all of them flickering their eyes between us and watching our interaction.

She lets out a small sigh and my grin only grows wider.

I liked the back and forth with her too. She was fiery when we disagreed on something.

“You seem pleased with your cryptic words,” she finally responds, and I feel something slide through my chest with the annoyed look she gives me.

Maybe she won’t forgive me fully ... because her angry or annoyed face is too cute to pass up on. I can see a lot of debates in our future.

“Your reactions are cute.” I shrug, waiting for her to bite back.

Her eyes grow wide, her mouth opening with my words. Then they flicker to my hair, a small grin tracing her lips that she tries to hold back but fails.

Her gaze meets mine again. “Your hair looks nice. It looks particularly shiny tonight.”

I drag a hand through my hair as her smile grows.

It does feel a little more oily than usual, and I had to use extra styling gel just to get it in place before we left earlier. Does it look greasy?

My brows cinch together. Maybe I need to change up my products, they were smelling a little strange too.

Shit was going off real quick these days in the house. I had to throw out a whole batch of my protein shakes because they were too lumpy and tasted like crap.

I meet Micai’s sparkling blue eyes again as a small chuckle falls from her lips. “I think it suits you perfectly, Creed. I’ve never seen you look better.”

She has to be joking, right?

Annex chuckles as Mallyn stifles his own laughter and Ezra joins in with a grin while meeting Micai’s gaze. They share a knowing look.

The wheels begin to turn in my head as I take a step closer to Micai.

“So, you did this?” I point to my hair.

She turns to me, her gaze all innocent as those pink lips of hers part.

“I don’t know what you mean, Creed. Is something wrong? It looks good to me.”

“What did you use?” A sigh leaves my lips. “Please don’t tell me it’s someone’s cum? That shit is a level too far.” I narrow my gaze at Annex and Mallyn as Micai’s eyes widen before she breaks out laughing.

“I could’ve given you a bucket full, Red,” adds Annex, and it makes her laughter grow. She bends over, clutching her waist as tears fall from her eyes.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” she chokes out through her laughter.

So it’s not that. Thank fuck.

My shoulders ease with her words. “Then what the hell is it?”

She wipes her eyes, straightening herself as her gaze meets mine again. She takes a step forward, a playful gleam in her gaze. “Lube.”

The smile that follows is dazzling and almost has me forgetting that she’s just admitted to switching my shampoo with dick gel.

All the guys burst out laughing as Micai grins. “But that’s only the beginning, Creed.”

I drag a hand down my face before my own grin grows, stepping forward as the tips of our shoes meet.

“If that’s how you want to play ... then game on, Micai.”