Chapter Ten

Delphi Mae

“W hat is this place?”

“It’s the club that Steel and Blaze own,” Jacob says.

“I thought we were going to King and Maddy’s place?” I ask.

Jacob spent the trip over explaining as much as he could about his client’s situation and the danger it may have placed his club in. I’m not scared to admit that the whole thing scares me. I knew he was a bodyguard of some kind, but I didn’t realize that every time he left the house, his life was in danger.

“It’s been compromised,” he answers. “Taylor is bringing over Amara and Dove, and the five of you will stay here with Steel and Blaze. They will keep you safe.”

“But who will keep you safe?” I ask. “Maybe Blaze and Steel can secure us in the building and then tag along with you guys.”

“Not happening, Freckles,” he chuckles. “You’re going to have to trust that I know how to protect myself. Besides, I’ll have Taylor and King with me. King can scare the living daylights out the devil himself.”

“I don’t even understand why you’re locking me and Eli up,” I admit. “I mean, we’ve only been here for a few months. We can just take the baby and check into a motel somewhere until you come for us. No one even knows who we are.”

“Not happening.”

“I’m getting that put on a shirt,” I grump. “A black shirt with giant red letters that says, not happening. Seems to be your favorite words.”

“Well, my favorite words stand.”

“Maybe this isn’t the proper place to be taking my Ma and sister,” Eli says from the back. “This is the BDSM club that Steel and Blaze own, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry, son, you won’t be in the actual club. Your Ma’s innocence will still be intact when she leaves. All of the good kinky stuff is in a section of the building that you all won’t be going to. Just as long as adult-sized diapers, bottles, and baby beds don’t count.”

“What is my life?”

“Doesn’t bother me,” Eli says softly.

I catch Jacob’s small smile as he looks back at my son through the rear-view mirror.

“As long as there’s an adult-sized bean bag chair, I’m good,” I say.

“There are three,” Jacob smiles. “They’re massive and extremely comfortable.”

Flashes of Jacob cuddled in the bean bag chair with a woman dressed in Little clothes flash through my mind on repeat.

Is that the type of woman he wants? I don’t think I can be that for him.

“Don’t worry, baby,” Jacob says. “It’s not something I need.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, looking out the side window.

“Be real, Ma. Those thoughts were so loud even I heard them from back here.”

“Whatever,” I mumble. “Anyway, hiding in a club full of people every night might not be the smartest place, is all I’m saying.”

Jacob chuckles, that warm, knowing sound that somehow both soothes and rattles me at the same time. “Freckles, I didn’t take you to this club to make you uncomfortable. Steel and Blaze just know how to run a tight ship when it comes to… safety.” He grins a little mischievously. “And they know the line between club business and socializing.”

I glance over, trying to keep my tone light. “And how well do you know that line, Mr. Reynolds?”

Jacob raises an eyebrow, challenging but gentle. “I know where it is, baby. And I know exactly what I want when I cross it.”

Eli’s groan comes from the back. “Can we maybe not do… whatever this is in front of me? My ears are bleeding back here.”

Ignoring him, Jacob leans closer, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. “There’s only one woman I’m willing to cross the line to get. And she doesn’t have to pretend to be anyone other than who she is.”

My heart skips, and my cheeks warm as I try to process what that means. But Eli chimes in again, ruining the moment. “Just park the car already, man. Let’s get this over with.”

Jacob lets out a laugh, giving me a quick wink. “Looks like we’ve got the teenager approval meter running. Let’s not push our luck.”

As we step out of the car, the quiet confidence in his eyes lingers with me.

Blaze appears in the doorway of the quiet club, giving us a wide grin. “Hey there! No need to worry, Freckles. I’ve got a whole section reserved just for you. Safe as can be, and outfitted with beanbags, giant baby beds, toys, snacks, and the biggest screen you’ve ever seen.”

I can’t help but laugh a little, though I still feel the weight of worry. “Sounds like a strange kind of fortress.”

Steel joins him, giving Jacob a nod. “Don’t sweat it. This place has tighter security than most people realize. No one’s getting in or out unless we say so.”

Nodding, Jacob checks his phone before shoving it back in his pocket.

“I have to go,” he says to the men. “Taylor will be here in five with Knox, Amara, and Dove.”

“I’ll wait for them out here,” the one I decide is Blaze answers.

It’s so hard to tell them apart.

“Alright, baby,” Jacob says, pulling my attention. “First, why do you keep looking at my brothers?”

“Oh,” I laugh embarrassingly. “I’m trying to find ways to tell them apart.”

“That’s easy,” he laughs. “The one who always looks like he’s in a bad mood is Steel. The one who smiles the most is Blaze. But be careful, Blaze has been known to act like his brother just to fool people.”

“I could never be as grumpy as that old fart,” Blaze smiles.

“My farts are just as old as yours,” Steel says, causing us all to laugh.

“Alright, I really do have to go. Kiss me, Freckles.”

I roll my eyes playfully, trying to mask the sudden wave of anxiety his words bring. But when I look up, Jacob’s gaze has softened, like he’s seeing right through my facade. He leans down, his voice a gentle murmur meant just for me.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he says, brushing a thumb across my cheek. “I’m going to handle this. You and the kids will be safe here.”

I nod, but my heart pounds. “You say that, but…” I swallow, dropping my voice to a whisper. “Just come back, okay? This place is intimidating.”

He chuckles softly, placing a lingering kiss on my forehead, and then presses his lips to mine in a way that leaves no room for doubt. “I promise. This is nothing my team can’t handle.”

He pulls back, squeezing my hand. “Blaze, Steel, keep them in one piece while I’m gone, all right?”

Blaze nods, grinning. “Oh, They’re in the best hands. Steel will scowl at any threat that comes close, and I’ll be the charming one who actually gets the job done.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a whole routine worked out,” I say, smiling despite myself.

Jacob flashes one last smile at me before getting back in the car and leaving us with Blaze and Steel as our makeshift protectors. As he drives away, a pang of unease settles in my chest. But before I can dwell on it, Blaze pulls me and the kids inside, chattering about all the comforts they’ve set up for us.

“Trust me,” Blaze says with a wink, “It’ll be the most bizarre hideout you’ll ever have. But also, the safest.”

As the door closes behind us, my heart clenches with a mix of hope and worry, and I say a silent prayer that the man I secretly love will be back with us soon.