Page 17 of Dylan’s Dad (Horsemen Of The Apocalypse MC #1)

Lola

Something is going on with Reaper. After Stallion and Reaper had that argument he completely shut down on me.

He was distant and appeared lost in thought.

When we got back to the cabin, he only said one sentence.

He told me he was tired and going to go to bed.

That was about an hour ago, and I am just lying here in bed next to him, staring up at the ceiling.

Glancing over, I see his bare back facing toward me and I want to cry.

Is he regretting everything that happened between us?

I roll onto my side facing away from him and I can feel the tears starting to escape from my eyes.

The darkness returns me to the worst moment of my life.

Lying on my old mattress, covered in blood, I can feel Dylan climbing over me.

I can smell the alcohol on his breath and taste the blood in my mouth.

Looking up into his eyes, they are empty and vacant. I cry, I beg, I scream for him to stop.

I am pulled from the horror and brought back to reality but something feels off. I am no longer laying facing away from Reaper, now I am in his arms with my cheek resting against his sweat slick chest. “Shhh. . . I got you Little Flower. You are safe.”

“Reaper?” My voice comes out as a croak. I must’ve been screaming in my sleep again. The last couple nights have been free of nightmares but the distance from Reaper must have triggered my fears again.

“Yeah, Baby. I am here. I got you.” He gently runs his hand through my hair in a soothing gesture, but I can feel him tremble. “You are safe with me, Little Flower. Always.”

My tears mix with the sweat on his chest as I sob against him. He whispers soothing and sweet things against the top of my head and just holds me, while I break in his arms. When the tears finally run dry, he drops a kiss to the top of my head. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

I shake my head, “I can’t. I just wanna forget it ever happened. Why can’t I just forget?” My voice is hoarse and my throat is bone dry.

“Baby, I don’t think it works that way. I think you have to talk about it to heal from it.

You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to but I do think you should talk to somebody.

” Gripping my chin between his thumb and forefinger he brings my eyes up to his.

“You are the fucking strongest person I’ve ever met.

You are a fucking Queen, this will not break you. Do you hear me?”

Looking into his oceanic eyes, I nod. He drops his forehead to mine and breathes in deeply.

Tipping my chin up with his hand he brings my lips to his in a tender but passionate kiss.

Before I can lose myself in him, he pulls away.

“I will be at your side battling your monsters alongside you for as long as you will have me, Little Flower. And if one day you decide this life and me aren’t enough for you I will continue to battle those monsters from the shadows. I will always keep you safe.”

That’s the thing about Reaper, I have always felt safe with him.

From the first letter I knew he would protect me.

I know to a lot of people that probably doesn’t make sense but he’s become my home.

I have never felt as safe as I have since he came into my life.

His hold on me loosens as his trembling subsides.

I know Reaper has a bit of a savior complex at least he does when it comes to me.

I fear the day Dylan is gone and he no longer needs to save me.

“Do you need anything? Some water? Or maybe tea?” he asked tenderly.

“No, I think I am okay now. Maybe you could just hold me till I fall asleep?” I asked hesitantly.

“Of course.” He said shifting me off his lap. I scooched back down to laying on his back and holding his arm out for me to cuddle into his side. As soon as I lay my head down on his chest his arm bands around my waist holding me to him. “Sleep tight, Little Flower. I will be here when you wake up.”

***

Reaper

Last night broke something inside of me, I didn’t even know could break.

Waking up to her terror filled screams and her begging for him to stop.

It made me feel absolutely helpless and I’ve never felt helpless a day in my life.

I know it’s not like I can go back in time and prevent him from hurting or raping her but I can at the very least give her back a small bit of peace by taking out the garbage.

I did as I promised last night, I held her all night until she woke up this morning and then I called Stallion to round up the guys for Church. It is time to end this.

Sitting at this table discussing the end of my bloodline has brought up some conflicting emotions.

After last night though, waking to her screams, seeing her terror, I know what must be done.

I need to compartmentalize. Dylan is a monster who beat and raped a sweet innocent girl because he saw her as his property, a thing, not her own person.

A hand dropping firmly on my shoulder pulls me from my thoughts. “You know there is no rush. We are keeping Lola safe and Dylan doesn't know where she is. We don't have to make plans today if you aren't ready.” Stallion says keeping his hand on my shoulder.

“No, we do this now! After last night, this can't fucking wait!” I shrug his hand off.

“Wait, last night? What the fuck happened last night?” Locking eyes with mine it only takes him a moment to get it. “Clear the room!” At Stallion's tone everyone but him and me get up and leave the room.

As soon as the door closes he turns back to me, “Tell me about last night.”

“I woke up to her screaming, thrashing, and begging him to stop.

Those minutes before she woke up were the worst minutes of my life.

I felt helpless, I've never felt helpless like that before.

When I was holding her afterwards I realized I'm not helpless. She will never know peace while he is still out there.”