Page 189 of Reaper

“We’ll stay back with the Prospects,” Python says.

Anthony gives them a chin lift. “Thank you. The rest of you, gear up. We have no idea how long Half-pint will be in labor, but I’d rather head out as soon as possible just in case the girls come quick.”

The guys all get up and head to their respective rooms. Anthony turns toward me, and I notice the same longing in his eyes before he pulls me in, kissing me. Another flutter of excitement wells within me as I think about us having kids. I can’t wait to be a mom, and I know Anthony desperately wants a large family—something we both agree on. I just hope the timing all works out.

Anthony breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “Let’s go pack, Darlin’.”

Four hours later, we pull into the hospital parking lot. Anthony gets out of the truck, scanning the parking lot as he does. My knees bounce nervously while I wait for him to giveme the okay. Over the course of the drive to Forest Creek, I got two more breathy voicemails and three texts from my stalker. The first one was kind of weird, but then the others were more violent than the previous ones.

Unknown: You need to listen to me, Lark. The Steel Archangels aren’t who you think they are. They’re murderers and rapists. If you don’t get away from them, I’ll be forced to take drastic measures.

Unknown: You are mine, Lark! You will be punished for letting that biker scum touch you when you are mine! You were always meant to be mine! When I get my hands on that fucking biker scum, he’ll pay for touching what’s mine! And you’ll have to watch everything as part of your punishment. I’ll make you sing for me, my Little Songbird. Your screams will be the perfect melody to my ears as I break you and mold you into the person you were meant to be. You are mine, my Little Songbird. And nobody touches what’s mine.

Unknown: Why are you ignoring me, my Little Songbird? You can’t stay inside forever. If you continue to ignore me, you won’t like the consequences. I’ll take everything that’s dear to you if you don’t leave the Steel Archangels and come to me. Everyone you love will pay for your disobedience. Your pain will be tenfold of what theirs will be. But if you leave and come to me, they will be spared. Come to me, my Little Songbird. Come sing for me.

To say I’m freaked out is an understatement. The guys back at the club have been made aware and I also texted Ma, Granny, and Uncle Mark so that they know to keep an eye on things as well as being aware of possible trouble that’s coming. I know I should have called them rather than just sending a text, but I didn’t trust my voice. Hell, I still don’t trust it.

Anthony comes over to my door, opening it, and when he sees me trembling as I get out, he quickly pulls me into his arms.

“He’s not getting his hands on you, Darlin’.”

I nod as I breathe in his spicy scent mixed with leather and try to calm my racing heart. The guys surround me as we head into the hospital and a bit of tension leeches out of me when we join up with everyone from the Forest Creek club.

Mae’s the first one to reach me, and she takes one look at me before pulling me in for a hug.

“What happened?” she demands.

Swallowing thickly, I pull out my phone, open my text thread, and showing her and Mary, who had joined us.

“Futtenfarter,” Mae curses, and despite my state, I find myself sharing a small, tight smile with Mary at how Mae curses. “If that son of a flying fudge monkey thinks he’s getting his hands on you, he’s got another thing comin’! He’ll soon be facing the Steel Archangel’s wrath, and then he’ll be wishing he left you the fudge alone!” Mae seethes as her eyes take on a dangerous glint.

“Agreed. That asshole is going to beg for mercy that will never come,” Mary replies.

Mama Astrid wraps her arm around my shoulders and I lean into her. “And if the unthinkable should happen, our boys will fight tooth and nail to get you back.” She pauses and looks around before her gaze locks with mine. “Actually, it might not be a bad idea to talk to Smoke. Maybe get those trackers that Mary, Mae, Patch, Timber, and the kids all have. I think some ofthe others talked about getting them too, but I don’t know if they have or not.”

Nodding, I exhale heavily as a bit more tension leeches out of me at that. If they strip me of all my other trackers, that might be the only thing that saves me if that asshole does manage to get his hands on me. “I’ll talk to him and Reaper. I remember Smoke saying he had a program tied to it, but I don’t know if Python has that same program or not.”

Mae rubs her back and tries to hide a wince as she rubs her stomach with her other hand. I glance down and notice one or two of the babies are kicking her stomach as well. Glancing up at her face, I frown at seeing faint dark circles under her eyes.

“Let’s all sit down. It looks like the boys are pretty active right now.”

Mae nods at my words. “They’ve been so active lately, it’s hard to get any sleep.”

We fall into an easy rhythm of chatting, and it helps keep my mind off my stalker’s texts.

Until another one comes in.

Unknown: I won’t allow you to keep ignoring me, my Little Songbird. This is the first price you’ll pay for your disobedience. Enjoy the show.

My eyes widen at the text and I grip my phone so tightly.

“Futten-fuckin-farter,” someone curses and I blink, surprised, before looking around only to find that those around us are staring at Mae in shock. “Reaper!” she calls out and immediately, Anthony’s kneeling in front of me.

He takes in my expression and white knuckled grip on my phone before he gently pries it of my hand only to curse when he reads the text.

“Call Emma, Lark. I’ll get on the phone with the others.”

That snaps me out of my shock and I dial Ma’s number. After a few rings, she picks up.