Page 23 of Dylan’s Dad (Horsemen Of The Apocalypse MC #1)

Lola

The first streams of light coming through the window wake me. I turn my head toward the other side of the bed and see Reaper still sleeping peacefully beside me. My lips quirk up thinking about how he told me he loves me yesterday.

“It’s too early for you to be staring at me like that.” He says before cracking one eye open.

“How do you do that? You always seem to know when I am looking at you without seeing me looking.” I move to roll over but the sudden sharp pain in my side stops me.

Stretching he sits up, “I can just feel you staring, I don’t know. How are you feeling?”

“Sore, but okay.” He looks at me like he doesn’t believe me, which is fair cause I’m in a lot of pain.

“Let me grab you some more pain meds.”

He moves to get out of bed but I stop him with a hand on his arm. “I’ll be okay. The pain meds make me sleepy and I don’t wanna sleep all the time.”

He sighs, “How about a half dose to at least take the edge off. Please I don’t like seeing you in pain.

” I give in nodding. He gets out of bed and goes to my side grabbing the orange bottle out of the nightstand.

Placing a single pill in my hand, he grabs the half full bottle from last night and hands it to me.

I take the pill in my hand and look at Reaper with a small smile. "Thank you," I say softly, appreciating his concern for my well-being. He nods and sits back down on the bed, his eyes never leaving me as I take the medication and wash it down with a sip of water.

I settle back against the pillows, feeling the dull ache in my side start to subside. Reaper's hand reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You are so strong, Little Flower. And so beautiful and mine." I shiver at the possessive tone in his voice.

Anyone else calling me theirs in a possessive way would be an instant red flag but Reaper saying it feels right. I am his. "Kiss me." I demand.

Reaper's eyes darken with desire as he leans in, his lips hovering over mine. There's a hunger in his gaze that ignites a fire deep within me. I can feel the intensity of his emotions, the way he's consumed by his love for me.

Without hesitation, his lips crash against mine, melding together in a passionate kiss. It's like a drug, addictive and intoxicating.

His hands trace patterns along my sides, careful to avoid the tender area where my stitches lie. The pain is momentarily forgotten as pleasure courses through my veins. The weight of his body presses against mine, the heat and strength of him enveloping me completely.

We break apart for a moment, both breathless and longing for more. His eyes meet mine, filled with a mix of raw desire and adoration. "I love you," he whispers huskily, his voice laced with need.

His words send a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me. I reach up, tangling my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to me. "I love you too, Reaper," I reply breathlessly, my voice filled with the same hunger and longing.

With a low growl, Reaper rests his forehead against mine. “I should probably get dressed and check in with the guys. I am sure there is an update on Ray by now.”

I lock up, Dylan said he killed Ray. “Wait! Ray?”

He clears his throat, “Yeah, he called us and told us Dylan took you. He was in rough shape when I got here. He was rushed to the hospital and last I heard he was still in surgery.”

“Dylan said he killed him.”

Reaper laughs harshly, “Yeah, well based on who my son grew into I wouldn’t put lying past him.”

Hearing him refer to Dylan as his son makes me cringe.

Which is ridiculous because I obviously know that but it still doesn’t make sense to me.

How can a father and son be so different?

I mean I know Reaper is no saint but he’s also not completely evil like Dylan.

Reaper is complicated. He has layers and some are quite dark but I'm never afraid of Reaper, which I definitely can't say the same for Dylan.

Maybe that's why it's so easy for me to not see Reaper as Dylan's Dad.

I look up at Reaper, "True. Can I come with you to say hi to the guys?"

He looks at me with concern, "I know they would love to see you, Baby. I'm just worried about you moving around too much, you are healing."

"Please, Reaper. I promise to not do too much. I'll rest downstairs."

I can see his eyes soften, "Alright, Little Flower.

" He digs around in a drawer and hands me a pair of sweat pants.

Reaper helps me sit up carefully, making sure I'm steady before he stands up himself.

I wince as I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, feeling a slight dizziness wash over me. But I refuse to let it deter me.

With Reaper's arm around my waist for support, we make our way downstairs. The sound of laughter and chatter greets us as we enter the living room. My heart swells at the sight of Stallion, Keyes, and Sin sitting together on the couch, their banter filling the air.

Keyes is the first to notice our presence, his eyes widening in surprise. "Lola!" he exclaims, jumping up from his seat. Stallion and Sin follow suit, their expressions a mix of relief and joy.

Stallion steps forward, his face etched with concern. "Lola, you're up! How are you feeling?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine worry.

I give him a weak smile. "Sore, but I'll survive," I reply, leaning into Reaper for support. The pain meds are doing their job in dulling the ache in my side, but I still feel the tender throb of my injuries.

Stallion moves toward the kitchen and pulls a plate out of the microwave. "I made some breakfast. I thought about bringing it up to you but didn't want to disturb the two of you." He sets it down on the coffee table while Reaper guides me to the couch.

"Any news on Ray?" I ask trying for a shift in conversation but also concerned for the prospect who was basically tasked with being my shadow.

Stallion's expression darkens, and he sits down next to me, his large frame hunching forward. "Ray's in critical condition," he says gravely. "The doctors are doing their best, but it doesn't look good. He lost a lot of blood, and they're still trying to stabilize him."

A wave of guilt crashes over me, knowing that Ray is fighting for his life because of me. "I'm so sorry," I whisper, my voice filled with remorse.

Stallion reaches out and squeezes my hand gently. "None of this is your fault, Lola," he says firmly. "Dylan made his own choices, and Ray wouldn't want you apologizing either. He endangered himself to make sure you were okay. We're going to do everything we can to bring him back."

Reaper's jaw clenches as he takes a seat on the other side of me. "That piece of shit is going to pay," he growls through gritted teeth. "No one hurts my family!"

"But he is your son."

"Not anymore, Little Flower." His eyes darken as he stares out the window. I can see his jaw flexing and know this is harder on him than he is letting on.

The room falls into a tense silence as I attempt to eat my breakfast but it is settling like lead in my stomach.

I know Reaper will kill Dylan there is no doubt in my mind but I also know it will hurt him to do so.

I remember hearing him telling the guys to take him to something called the cave which I can only assume is some kind of kill room.

I have no illusions that they don't kill people on the regular.

As the weight of the situation hangs heavy in the air, I can't help but feel a mixture of fear and anticipation. Part of me wants Dylan to pay for what he's done, to face the consequences of his actions. But another part of me is afraid, not for Dylan, but for Reaper.

I've seen the darkness that lurks within Reaper, the violent and merciless side that he keeps hidden from most people. And while I know that Dylan deserves punishment for his crimes, I can't help but worry about the toll it will take on Reaper's soul.

Reaper stands abruptly, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I'll be back," he says tersely, his voice filled with a cold determination. "I need some air."

Stallion reaches out to stop him, concern etched on his face. "Reaper, wait. I will come with you. We need to chat."

I watch as they step out onto the porch closing the door behind them.

As the door clicks shut, cutting off the sound of their conversation, I turn my attention back to the breakfast Stallion had prepared. The smell of eggs and bacon fills the room, but my appetite has vanished amidst the tension that hangs in the air.

Sin, who is normally not a talker, finally speaks up. "This situation with Dylan... it's not going to end well," he says gravely, his dark eyes reflecting a somber truth.

I nod in agreement, unable to find any words to express the turmoil brewing inside me. Right now, his words only confirm what I already fear.

Stallion returns from outside, a solemn expression etched on his face. He takes a seat across from me, his gaze fixed on mine. "Reaper needs some time," he says quietly. "He's dealing with a lot right now."

I nod solemnly. "Where are Doc and Monk? I thought Reaper said they were here."

"They had to run some errands this morning. Doc went to pick up some stuff for you and Monk went to the hospital to wait for news on Ray.

I shift in my seat, gripping the blanket over my lap. “What did you and Reaper talk about?” I ask Stallion, keeping my voice as steady as possible.

Stallion exhales sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “About what happens next.”

I already know what that means, but I need to hear him say it. “And?”

Stallion meets my gaze. “He’s going through with it.”

A heavy silence settles over the room. My stomach knots, and I look toward the door like I could somehow call Reaper back before it’s too late. But I know better.

Sin, who’s been quiet this whole time, finally speaks. “No choice.” His voice is rough, clipped.

I swallow hard. “I should go to him.” The words leave my mouth before I can think them through. “He shouldn’t have to do this alone.”

Stallion’s brows pull together. “Lola—”

“I mean it.” I push forward, ignoring the way my ribs protest. “He might not say it, but this is going to change him. I should be there.”

Sin shakes his head. “No.”

I look to Stallion, hoping for a different response, but his expression is already set. “You’re not going.”

Frustration swells in my chest. “Why not?”

“Because he wouldn’t let you.” Stallion’s voice is firm, but there’s something softer beneath it. “And you don’t need to see that.”

I grit my teeth. “He needs someone.”

Stallion sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “That’s why I’ll be there.”

I blink, caught off guard. “You?”

He nods. “He won’t ask, but yeah. He needs someone.” His jaw tightens. “I won’t let him walk out of there alone.”

Relief and unease war inside me. At least someone will be with him. Someone who won’t let him drown in whatever this does to him.

I swallow past the lump in my throat and whisper, “Thank you.”

Stallion nods once, then pushes to his feet. “Try to get some rest, Darlin’.”

But I know there won’t be any sleep for me tonight. Because no matter how much I want to pretend otherwise, by the time Reaper comes back, something inside him will be different.