Page 20 of Property of Scythe (Kings of Anarchy MC: Ohio #1)

I t’s almost October. There’s a chill in the air that combines with all the fall scents that I adore, like pumpkin, spices, and cranberries.

Outside the classroom windows, I watch the falling leaves in bright colors of red, orange, and purple.

The kids are painting with pinecones today, making gifts for the holidays, and I love their creations.

When the final bell rings, I usher them to clean up and get ready to go home.

Mila waits for me as she doodles with markers, making me another beautiful picture to hang up on the fridge at home. Some days Scythe picks us up, others he meets us at the house or The Barn. Today, he’s standing at the door with Emma when I look up from the desk where I’m organizing papers.

“We got a hot date, baby,” he informs me as Emma helps Mila with her backpack. “We’ve got the evening to ourselves.”

“Nice,” I reply as I tug him closer, popping a kiss on his whiskered cheek. “Give me a few minutes.”

He nods as I finish up, waiting until all the parents and children are gone. Once we’re alone, he pulls me in for a kiss. It makes me weak in the knees, and he winks as we part as if he knows.

“I’m taking you for a ride. Grab your jacket.”

These are my favorite impromptu moments when we ride his Harley and steal a few minutes alone without distraction.

When I can focus on him and he’s not torn by club duties.

Our lives are busy, but we’re learning how to make time with one another a priority.

It’s how we’re going to last when life throws shit at us and things get hard.

We ride through town and park outside one of the cornfields that borders the edge, marking the territory of the Kings and the land of the scarecrows. It’s almost funny to think of it that way, but this land is cursed, and it’s also blessed.

I tighten my hold around Scythe’s waist, and he lowers his hand to squeeze my thigh.

I know he’s not entirely human, but he’s all the man I need.

His club protects this town, and we’re all lucky these men shoulder the burden when this town is threatened.

It gives me peace to know Scythe and the others are out there.

Scythe parks the bike and shuts down the engine.

We remove our helmets, and he hangs them from the handlebars.

We won’t be gone long. Probably just enough time to watch the sunset and maybe a quickie under the canopy of weeping willows.

The forest is close and nearly whispers with the burden of its secrets, but it’ll never tell.

“The coroner finally identified the remains from the severed body parts,” he tells me as his fingers thread through mine. “It’s a guy from Columbus. Believe it or not, he’s a relative of Johnathon Allen.”

Wow. Johnathon Allen is the killer Scythe defeated. We learned his name once Boomer entered his DNA into the national database. He’d been wanted for his connection to numerous crimes and a killing spree in Pennsylvania over five years earlier.

“He killed a family member?”

“Yeah, his nephew. ”

“That’s awful.”

“I know,” he agrees. “I’m still trying to figure out why he came to Raven’s Crest.”

“Or why he wanted to mess with you and the club.”

“There doesn’t seem to be a connection,” Scythe complains. “Why would he want to come here? The crowds? The Halloween vibe?”

“Maybe.” I shrug. I really don’t know.

“But you were his target, too. He must have had a vendetta against me and the Kings.”

I stop and lift my hand, gliding my fingers over his jaw. “You got him, Scythe. You proved no one fucks with the Kings.”

Scythe grins. “Yeah, I did.”

“Isn’t that what you do? Take out the bad guys?” I’m teasing, but it’s also true.

“We do. Our bloodlines were specifically chosen.”

“But also cursed? How?”

We’ve danced around the topic but not fully discussed it. It’s been nearly a week since Scythe appeared as a scarecrow and saved my life, not to mention the town.

“We’re the descendants of powerful men who founded this town and settled in Ohio after the Salem Witch Trials.”

“Witches?”

“Yeah, baby. The real Salem witches. The relatives of those who were hanged and murdered traveled to find new land without fear of prosecution and paranoia and settled in Ohio. They swore never to fall victim again to the religious fanaticism that killed so many.”

Interesting. “Why did they curse your ancestors?”

“They wanted to ensure the town could never turn on them, so they cursed the original bloodlines. We’re obliged to ensure protection of the town because of it. ”

“You’re all the original bloodlines, aren’t you?”

“Good guess. Yeah, we are.”

“You said your vitality is linked to the town. How does that work with the scarecrows?”

“In exchange for our protection, our vitality, or our essence, is linked to the town and its inhabitants. Me and the other members of the club are bonded by our brotherhood, but also our connection to those founding fathers. The witches gave us the means to defend the town, no matter what threat emerges.”

“They used the scarecrows.”

“That’s right. We can connect and use them to watch over the town, and when there’s a threat, they become a deadly use of force.”

I saw that firsthand. “Does that mean you’re not human? You healed super fast when you got thrown from your motorcycle.”

“I am, Lottie. It’s just when the town needs me, I become something more.”

“I guess I can live with that,” I tease. After all, it’s that ability that saved my life.

“That’s good because I have a confession.”

I startle at his words. “That sounds ominous.”

“It’s not.”

“Well, tell me.”

“I’m the one who paid for all your purchases the day you were shopping.” He scratches the back of his neck and shrugs.

I’m shocked. “Why?”

“I was intrigued by you. I didn’t plan it, but it felt right in the moment.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “Didn’t want to piss you off or make you think I was some psycho clown killer.”

I narrow my eyes in what I hope is a stern look. “No more secrets.”

“You got it.”

Scythe continues our walk and leads me to one of the scarecrows. We stop at the base of the wooden pole, staring up at the figure that looks far less menacing than the night the killer died. In the early evening light, he’s calm and almost majestic, his focus unwavering.

“I want to share my vitality with you, Lottie.”

“What’s that?” I blink, unsure what he means.

“I’m going to have a long life.” He coughs and clears his throat. “Longer than you. I don’t want to say goodbye too soon.”

I’m confused. “You won’t die?”

“I will,” he clarifies. “It’ll just take a lot longer than you.”

His words replay in my head. “What does this mean?”

“I’ll make a small incision in my palm and also in yours. We’ll combine our essence.”

“You mean we’ll share our blood.”

“Yeah.”

That’s sort of scary and a little overwhelming. “What will happen to me?”

“We’ll be linked. It’s not enough to do more than that. But you’ll live a little longer and you’ll become more resistant to diseases and bacteria.”

No shit? “I won’t ever get sick again? Sign me up!” I joke.

“Well, it’ll happen less, that’s for sure.” He’s grinning so wide that I see his dimple pop.

“Let’s do it.”

“You sure?” His hopeful expression reminds me of a puppy with those caramel brown eyes. He’s too adorable when he’s being sweet like this.

“I am.”

Scythe lowers his head and kisses me. “We do this here in front of the scarecrow.”

“Why?”

“Because what one of them sees, they all see.”

“Oh.”

“And because they’ll know you’re mine,” he adds with a sexy growl.

Okay. I’m fine with that.

Scythe pulls out his knife and lifts my hand. “I’m sorry. This is going to sting.”

I nod, not trusting my voice, because I might whimper, and I don’t want him to worry. He uses the tip of the knife to score a line down the center of my palm. I suck in a breath because it stings and it hurts, but I don’t cry.

He turns the blade on himself and slices his palm without hesitation, and then presses our hands flat together. There’s an expectant expression on his face, and I wonder what this is going to feel like. Will I have any weird tingles or flutters in my belly?

Nothing happens.

“How do you feel?”

“The same,” I admit.

Scythe frowns. “I guess I thought there might be a reaction.”

“A reaction!” I screech.

He laughs and keeps our palms connected. “Baby, it’s okay.”

“You’re an ass.”

That really gets him going, and soon he’s almost doubling over, clutching at his stomach with his other hand .

“Scythe.”

“Lottie, I love you.”

That causes me to pause, which is also the second I focus enough to realize I’m turned on. Like, really turned on. My core is throbbing, and I look up at him, unable to disguise my need.

“Oh, fuck.” That’s all he says before his mouth is on mine.

I’m unbuckling his belt as my back smacks against the wooden pole below the scarecrow. We’re a tangle of limbs as he shoves his hand between my legs, sliding through my slit, and I eagerly part them wider. I’m wearing a plaid skirt, and I’m so glad that it has easy access.

Scythe pulls his fingers from my pussy long enough to open the white blouse I’m wearing, nearly ripping all the pearl buttons off. His mouth seeks my nipples as his warm tongue glides over the peaks. I’m stroking his cock as he groans into my mouth.

We’re going at it like a couple of horny teenagers. It’s erotic and uncontrollable. It’s not long before we’re both coming. I cry out his name, and he kisses me, swallowing my moans.

His forehead rests against mine as we pant, slowly coming down from the euphoria that overtook us. “Goddamn, Lottie.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“I fucking love you, baby.”

“That’s good,” I whisper, “because I’m pretty sure we’re linked now for life.”

He smirks. “We are. You’re stuck with me.”

I think I can handle it.