Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“Daddy, can I have a container for dip too?” Ivy asked Steele.
“Of course. Gabriel? Another shot glass, please?” Steele called to the man in the kitchen.
“I should put out a bunch of those,” Gabriel suggested and produced a half dozen.
Blade carried his plate and her tray to a big empty table. “I’m going to get us some drinks, Sapphire. Don’t let anyone steal my seat,” he warned playfully. When Sapphire waved a hand, urging him closer, he leaned down to talk to her privately.
“They didn’t say anything about me calling you Daddy,” she whispered urgently.
“And they never will. This is a safe place, Little girl.”
Ivy appeared and said, “Your Daddy’s there, right?”
When Sapphire nodded, Ivy said, “Can I sit next to you on this side and then my Daddy can take that chair there?”
“I’d love that,” Sapphire answered.
As Blade walked away with Steele to get their drinks, Ivy asked what Sapphire’s teddy’s name was. The two were chattering happily as the guys walked out of hearing range.
“That Little girl of yours is going to settle in perfectly,” Steele observed, whacking Blade on the shoulder companionably.
“Perfect is exactly what she is.”
Chapter
Ten
His Little girl disappeared into the blanket fort Kade and Faust had created for the Littles after dinner without a hint of hesitation. The giggles that ensued shortly after made him happier than Blade had been for many years. Sapphire had run back to dash through the beads to grab some elastic string and beads. It appeared that the Littles loved making bracelets.
After helping Gabriel clean the kitchen, Blade challenged Storm to a rematch at darts. “Come on, you can help me keep my targeting honed.”
“You’re a fucking beast throwing anything with a point,” Storm groused.
“Maybe you’ll win this time,” Blade suggested.
“Not a chance in hell, but I’ll see how close I can get,” Storm told him.
“I could play left-handed?”
“Fuck you. Like I want these guys to see you beat me that way too.” Storm looked at the bar. “Grab me a beer. I’m going to need fortification.”
After a fierce battle that drew onlookers, Blade shook Storm’s hand. “Thanks, brother. You’re a worthy opponent. Let me know if you want to try the left-hand thing for the next game.”
“Cocky bastard,” Storm growled good-naturedly. He realized he’d played well against the unequaled champion. “Buy me a drink.”
“You got it.”
“Daddy? Can we have some juice?” Brooke asked.
“That’s a lot of sugar before bed, Little girl. How about some water or milk?” Storm asked, ruffling her adorable curls.
“Chocolate milk?” Brooke asked, giving him a winning smile.
“You got it,” Storm agreed, holding out his hand for hers.
A flurry of activity at the entrance to the blanket fort drew the men’s attention. “She got it,” Carlee’s voice sounded inside. A cheer resounded under the muffling covers.
Blade shook his head, sure that the group had targeted the chocolaty beverage from the beginning. The Littles made their lives interesting.
Blade couldn’t keep the smile from his face the next morning. Last night had been an enormous success. Waking up this morning with Sapphire cuddled to his chest had started the day off with a bang. With Kinsley now back at her sitter’s, his Little’s need to get to the shop early had evaporated. Their lovemaking had put them both in an excellent mood.
Blade assembled a package of unsharpened weaponry that needed Sapphire’s jeweled embellishments. He’d make a trip to The Blue Door to see her. Finding Kade in the shop’s office, he leaned against the door.
“Hey. I’m taking a bunch of hilts to Sapphire for her to jewel. I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” he said to Kade.
“Don’t forget you have that appointment for a consultation at three,” Kade reminded him, pointing at the calendar on his wall.
“I’ll be back,” Blade assured him.
“Is she going to be here tonight?” Kade asked. “Remi likes her.”
“She’s pretty incredible. Yeah. They’re doing nails this evening. Sapphire’s promised to bling out their manicures.”
Kade rolled his eyes. “Get ready. We’re going to have a bunch of fingernails to ooh and ah over.”
“And you’ll love every minute,” Blade predicted.
“Damn, Blade. Would you carry your phone with you? It’s been going off every few seconds,” Faust complained.
Blade grabbed the device, noticing five missed calls from Sapphire. As if on cue, the ringer blared loudly. Quickly, he answered it. “Sapphire? What’s wrong?”
“He’s back. I locked the doors and called the cops, but he’s banging on the windows. I think he’s going to break in.”
“I’m on my way.” Blade held the phone to his rapidly thudding heart and said, “Anyone want to scare a thug straight?”
In seconds, a posse of Shadowridge Guardians were on the road to The Blue Door. Blade had switched the phone call to the headset wired into his helmet to continue talking to Sapphire. “Three minutes and I’ll be there. Where is he now?”