Page 37 of Property of Blade (Kings of Anarchy MC: Alaska #1)
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Hannah
A knock sounds on the door to Blade’s room, the sound echoing in the quiet. My heart skips a beat, nerves tightening in my chest. I take a deep breath and slowly pull the door open. Standing there is Fury.
He’s massive—easily six foot six with broad shoulders that make him look as if he could bench-press a truck.
His long black hair falls straight down his back, and his eyes are the strangest color I’ve ever seen.
They’re this pale, almost amber shade, but not quite.
They look otherworldly, like nothing I’ve seen before.
He smiles down at me, and I resist the urge to step back.
Fury’s teeth seem too big for his mouth, sharp in a way that sends a chill down my spine.
There’s something predatory in the way he’s looking at me, like I’m some kind of prey being appraised.
My skin prickles with the sensation that he’s sizing me up, and for a second, I feel small and vulnerable, as if I’m in the presence of something far more dangerous than I’m prepared for.
“Blade said I was to come up and get you. Are you all settled in?”
I nod, holding a hand to my chest, and take a step back, trying to put distance between this huge, intimidating man and me, but Grace, the little traitor, doesn’t hesitate.
She sits right in front of Fury, her golden eyes wide, staring up at him, mesmerized as if he’s the most interesting thing she’s ever seen.
“Ah, so this is the famous cat .” Fury frowns, his eyes scanning Grace as he crouches down to her level. His big, rough hand extends toward her, and she doesn’t hesitate, rubbing herself against Fury as if they’ve known each other forever.
“Her name is Grace.”
“She smells like Prophet.”
“She does?” I ask.
Fury stands slowly, and I bend to scoop Grace up in my arms, cradling her against me. She lets out a soft meow, and I catch a glimpse of her tail flicking.
“Yeah,” Fury continues, his gaze following us. “So, are you both coming down? All the guys are here.”
Nodding, I reluctantly follow him down the hallway, my eyes flicking over every detail as we walk. The walls are lined with dark wood, and the floors creak beneath our feet. The scent of pine lingers in the air, mixed with a hint of something stronger, probably wood smoke.
I can’t help the question that escapes my mouth. “Is it unusual that you are all here?”
Fury lets out a low whistle, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Very. Chrome hasn’t been back here in..
.” He stops, counting on his fingers the number of months since Chrome’s last visit as if it is a real struggle.
“At least three months, maybe five. But hey, time flies when you’re having fun, right? ”
I try to lighten the tension with a weak smile. “You like living in Alaska?”
He chuckles in a deep rumble. It feels as though the entire house is vibrating.
“It’s not like we’ve got anywhere else to go.
But yeah, I like it. You’d be amazed at the kind of people who end up out here.
Interesting people,” he says, his voice trailing off, eyes flicking to the ceiling as if he’s searching for the right word.
“A lot of different types. You know, like you.”
“Interesting?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Fury says, his eyes locking onto mine. “Take you, for instance. You’re drawn to Blade like a moth to a flame, and you’ve been up close with a few of us.”
“You mean the MC members?”
His grin widens, revealing a flash of teeth that somehow makes the air feel cold. “Yeah. And you didn’t run off... most people do. They either run or stay away unless they need something.” Fury tilts his head, his eyes narrowing as if he’s trying to read something in me. “What do you need, Hannah?”
I shrug, looking down at Grace, feeling the weight of her body against mine. “I guess right now, we need a safe place to stay,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper.
Fury’s gaze softens, and his eyes flicker with something unreadable. “Hmm, I can see what he sees in you.”
I look up at him, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “Do you mean Blade?”
He nods slowly, his voice growing quieter.
“Yeah. I don’t remember the last time he showed interest in a woman or was so protective of one.
” His voice drops, and he turns away, his heavy boots thumping against the wood floor as he walks toward the stairs.
“Come on, let’s get you to the guys. They’re all dying to meet you. ”
Fury strides ahead of me down the stairs, his boots pounding with each step as I follow behind, the sound echoing in the quiet clubhouse.
When I reach the last step and enter the main room, I’m not surprised to find Blade already across the room, his eyes locked on me as if I’m the only thing in the space. He’s by my side in a flash.
“Are you okay?” His voice is low, filled with concern, his brow furrowed as he looks me over.
I nod, trying to push down the flutter of nerves that stir inside me. “Yes.”
Without missing a beat, he takes Grace from my arms, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a jolt through me. “Ranger, you’re up.”
With a sour look on his face, Ranger saunters over to us, his steps lazy, clearly reluctant. He holds out his hands, his mouth twisting into a half-smirk. “Give her to me.”
“What? Why?” I ask, confusion bubbling up as I glance from Ranger to Blade.
“Ranger volunteered to take Grace for a toilet break,” Blade explains, his voice calm, but there’s a slight edge of amusement in his tone.
“I can do it.” I’m not sure why this feels so important. It’s just Grace. But there’s something about the way Blade is acting that makes me want to protest.
Blade looks at me, then hands Grace over to Ranger without hesitation. “No, he wants to do it, don’t you, Ranger?”
Ranger’s face remains unamused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he holds Grace awkwardly in his arms. “Can’t wait.”
“Blade, he clearly doesn’t want to, and she belongs to me.” The words slip out before I can stop them, but I can’t help feeling the need to stake my claim, even over something as small as my cat.
Blade chuckles softly, the sound deep and warm. He leans in just slightly, his lips curving into a smirk. “I think you’ve got that wrong. I think you belong to her.”
Before I can say anything else, Ranger strides off toward the door, Grace tucked in his arms, and I’m left standing there, staring after them.
“Don’t let her run off!” I shout after Ranger as he walks out with Grace.
Ranger holds up two fingers in a wave, not even bothering to look back as he disappears outside. Laughter erupts from the men scattered around the room. Most are gathered around the table, but a couple of them are over by the kitchen, chatting and drinking as though it’s just another day.
Blade steps closer to me, taking my hand and pulling me farther into the room. His touch is warm and reassuring, grounding me. “Everyone, this is Hannah. Introduce yourselves to her and tell her your position within the club.”
Vex, who’s sitting at the table, holds up a hand with a grin. “Vex. I’m VP of this ragtag group.”
“Hey, Vex, nice to see you again,” I reply, offering a smile as I remember our brief encounter.
Fury, who’s leaning against the wall near the kitchen, raises his hand. “We’ve met. I’m this chapter’s sergeant at arms.” He gives me a quick nod, his expression a bit more serious now.
“We met at the tavern in town,” a deep voice says from across the room. I glance over and see a tall guy with a confident smile. “I’m Hollywood, and I’m the road captain.”
“I remember,” I say, a little relieved to recognize someone in this sea of new faces.
One of the men stands up and walks over to me, his hand outstretched. “I’m Flint, and I’m the secretary.”
I place my hand in his and shake it firmly. “Nice to meet you.”
Flint winks at me as he releases my hand. “Any friend of Blade’s is a friend of mine.”
“We met at the tavern too,” a voice calls out, and I turn to find a guy with a laid-back, almost mischievous vibe. “I’m Stash. I look after the money. I’m the treasurer.”
“I remember you,” I say, my eyes flicking over to another of the members. “You were there, too, but I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”
“It’s cool,” he says, offering me a friendly smile. “I’m Cyclone. Been a member of the Kings for two years.”
“Hey, Hannah, it’s good to have you here,” Scout adds, giving me a welcoming nod.
“Hey, Scout,” I reply, recognizing him from before. “Thank you for cleaning up my home.”
“All good,” Scout says with a grin. “I’m the tail gunner when we go on rides.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“It means I make sure no one tries to get the better of us,” he explains, his expression serious now. “Sometimes cars will try to pass us, but that can be dangerous. It’s my job to make sure the riders are safe.”
A wiry guy stands from the couch and looks me over, raising an eyebrow. “I’m Rooster. Does your cat piss anywhere?”
“Grace normally has a kitty litter box, or I take her for a walk into the backyard on a lead,” I answer, trying to ignore the judgment in his tone.
“A cat who walks on a lead?” Rooster shakes his head, laughing. “Now I’ve heard every-fucking-thing.”
“Rooster,” Blade growls, his voice low and commanding.
“Why do you always have to be such a dick?” another voice chimes in, and I look over to see a man standing by the door, shaking his head at Rooster’s antics. “I’m Styx.”
“Hello,” I say, offering him a smile.
The guy next to Styx gives me a nod. “Chrome,” he says, his voice cool and detached, still not looking at me.
Another guy pipes up from the back of the room. “Bodhi.”
“Azriel,” calls out yet another, his voice smooth but commanding.
“Kyler.” A man sitting near the window adds his name to the list with a casual wave.