Blade

Chapter 40: In trouble

Sienna

He halts, not sparing me a glance, his murderous glare locked entirely on Federico.

"Leave right now," Blade says in a calm voice. There is no anger in his tone, yet the icy sharpness in his eyes sends a shiver crawling down my spine.

"Why would I leave? Who the fuck are you to tell me that?" Federico shoots back, stepping closer. The movement makes Blade's men shift instantly, ready to strike, but a simple flick of Blade's hand has them retreating to their original places, as if leashed by his silent command.

When Blade remains silent, the guy scoffs and reaches for my hand again, eager to drag me back into the dance and erase Blade's presence as if he doesn't exist. But I stand frozen, my feet glued to the floor, refusing to move.

Before anyone can even register his next move, Blade launches forward and drives an uppercut straight into the guy's chin. The crack of the impact echoes sharply, sending him stumbling backward with a strangled grunt of pain.

"What the fuck, man?" Federico growls, as he swipes at the thin stream of blood running down his jaw.

Before I can stop him, Federico lunges at Blade, aiming for his face. Blade's reflexes are quicker, and he sidesteps, driving a devastating punch into Federico's stomach followed by a kick that sends him crashing to the ground. Shocked gasps ripple through the crowd that has gathered to watch.

Blood drips down Federico's face as he struggles back to his feet. He charges again, but Blade meets him head-on, seizing both arms and twisting them at an unnatural angle behind his back. I wince when the sickening crack fills the air, and Federico screams in agony from his broken hand.

"Listen and listen well. If you touch my wife again, or even dare to look at her or breathe in her direction, I will not just break your arm like I did now. I will rip them from their sockets and burn the rest of you to ash."

I stay frozen, unable to process the scene unfolding before me as Cam sashays over, loops an arm around my shoulders, and squeezes. Her frightened expression is impossible to miss. Clearly we are both in deep trouble.

Federico trembles and manages, "I am so sorry, man. I had no idea. I thought she was single and came here alone. I swear it will not happen again."

A wicked smirk curves Blade's lips as he drives his knee into the man's groin and drops him to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

Blade slips a cigarette from his pocket, strikes a flame, and brings it to his mouth. The tip glows red as he inhales deeply, then releases a slow stream of smoke that coils through the haze of the club. His glare cut toward us, before he turns and strides away.

We didn't need to be told twice. We follow after him, his men closing in behind us as we push through the entrance and into the cold night air. Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I watch Blade slide into the driver's seat and drum his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel.

Cam and I both scramble into the backseat without a word as he turns on the engine of his SUV and pulls out from the curb.

The ride back to the mansion is steeped in uncomfortable silence, the kind that makes my skin crawl. Blade keeps his eyes fixed on the road, his fist tightening and loosening over and over. The angry stream of Italian curses spilling from his lips presses down on my chest until I can barely breathe, and I end up fiddling anxiously with my fingers.