Page 25 of Reaper

Fuck, why do my ribs hurt so much? I don’t think it’s smoke related. Did I hit something as we fell?

My eyelids flutter open, and the next thing I know, I’m being laid down on a flat surface, which my foggy brain belatedly realizes must be a gurney. Did I black out for a little bit?

As they wheel me across the driveway to the ambulance, I hear the sounds of more wheels on the driveway and it dawns on me that it must be for the firefighter who was knocked out trying to save me. I weakly wave to Ma and Granny as we pass them, but what I see behind them has numbness spreading throughout my body. My vision turns blurry when I realize this was no accident.

Because both our houseandour supper club are on fire.

Bothof them.

There’s no way it could have been an accident or something electrical.

Who could have done this?

And why?

Chapter 11

Reaper

Itfeelslikefuckingforever before the sheriff tells me I can go. About an hour and a half ago, the firefighters got the fire fully contained and moved on to the next one they were needed at. I know something bad happened because about a half hour ago, Punisher ran to his bike without a word to any of us after getting a phone call and rode off like the hounds of hell were on his tail. Razor rode off after him, but I haven’t heard from either of them since. My thoughts had instantly gone to Lark and Erik, but I had to push those concerns aside since I was still talking to the cops and firefighters at the time.

“Thank you, sheriff. If you need me for anything else, give me a call.”

Sticking my hand out, I shake his hand and then turn toward where my brothers are standing not too far away. Judging by how Devil’s acting, I’m in for even more bad news. Panic tries to seize me, but I refuse to lose control. Fuck, please don’t let it be about Lark or Erik.

“Tell me,” I bark out and Devil’s face darkens for a moment before it’s gone.

Devil’s been one of my closest friends since I was a kid. I shouldn’t be taking out my frustrations on him, but I’m wound so fucking tight right now, I can’t help it. I’m about to apologize, but then he speaks up.

“Astrid and Razor called. It’s Erik... and Lark. They were both rushed to the hospital. Erik was knocked unconscious while rescuing Lark. They fell through two sets of stairs, but other than that, we don’t know anything else yet.”

My chest damn near feels like it’s being squeezed by a vise.

Lark.

Erik.

Without another word, I stride over to my bike and start her up before peeling out onto the main drag as I head in the direction of the hospital. A few seconds later, my brothers catch up to me and I barely register Devil and Beast riding on either side of me. I drive on autopilot as my mind churns out scenario after scenario, each one worse than the last. I speed up, not caring that I’m speeding.

Ten fucking minutes later, we park and head into the ER. The nurse pales when she sees us, but I ignore her and scan the room. My chest tightens when I don’t spot Emma or Lottie, Lark’s mom and grandma.

I cross the room over to Punisher who is sitting by his parents, Odin and Mama Astrid. Razor is sitting on the other side of Odin.

They all stand up as we approach, and I immediately open my arms. Mama Astrid leans in, hugging me tightly. She sniffles, but when she pulls back, I realize she isn’t going to allow herself to break down in front of everyone. She gives me a small, tight smile and pats my chest.

“Thank you all for coming here.”

“Did they give you an update on Erik?” Devil asks and Mama Astrid’s armor cracks a little before she puts that wall back up.

“He has some swelling and a small brain bleed, but they think they have it under control. They are worried about his hearing because of the location of both,” Odin tells us and Mama Astrid nods.

“The doctor said they’re both in the temporal lobe region of the brain. That he might have temporary hearing loss until the swelling goes down.”

Mama Astrid dabs at her eyes and Odin wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight to him before placing a kiss on her temple. I look away before they can see the longing and jealousy in my eyes, but apparently, my brothers know me too well and all four of them, Beast, Devil, Odin, and Punisher, caught the looks. Fuck, judging by the look Razor’s giving me, I think even he saw it.

Instead of acknowledging their questioning looks, I glance around the waiting room and my worry increases when I still don’t see Emma or Lottie.

“They took Emma and Lottie back to a private room,” Mama Astrid tells us quietly, and the pain in her voice almost has my knees buckling.