Page 35 of Reaper

A blanket floated off the couch and a grateful Ax wrapped it around his waist.He walked toward them, Ara unaware that he drew closer until Ax pulled her from the cocoon of Reaper’s arms, straight into his.Ax smiled at Reaper over Ara’s head.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart.You can get me naked anytime.”

“If you don’t release her now, I will strangle you,” Reaper said through clenched teeth.

The entire room quieted as Ax’s hands raised and he took several steps back from Ara.Reaper pulled her back into his embrace, and she ran a hand over his chest to get his attention.When he stared down at her, her smile warmed his chest and he found himself relaxing.He kissed her, a brief, deep kiss of possession.

“You did well, Ara,” Ghost said.

“Thank you.”

Ghost then turned to the others in the room.When he spotted a naked Ax, he gave him a disgusted shake before he continued.“Tomorrow, you will teach Ara hand-to-hand combat and disarming an attacker.”

Ara’s smile widened as the assassins all groaned.

“Great, we got our asses kicked today, and tomorrow, it happens again, but with weapons,” Gunnar mumbled.

Reaper was surprised when a rough laugh erupted from deep in his throat; as his eyes met hers, her answering smile almost knocked him over.

As he thought back on his conversation with Kai, he realized that he could learn from the mistakes his friend had made.The concerns that had plagued him that morning were gone.He existed because he was meant to find Ara, his mate and love, and he would kill to keep her.

He hoped that someday, she would feel the same way about him.