Page 35 of Reaper

Lark gives me the barest of nods. “I do trust you, Reaper, and I do feel safe around you. However, what Aiden and Kelly did to me still haunts me. Even my dad to some degree. Plus, right now, I’m not really in a good head space to be more than friends after what’s happened. I need to process everything and it will take time for my body to heal. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Plus, I’m going to be insanely busy between my doctor and physical therapist appointments as well as rebuilding both the house and the supper club.” She pauses, nodding slightly to herself. “I’m not saying no, just not right now.”

It takes all of my will to force my body not to tense up at the mention of that cunt and Aiden fucking Cox. That playboy wannabe and his father, Richard, have always been a nuisance for the club, not to mention a nuisance for many of the other store owners and property owners in town. They both think they’re hot stuff because of their family name and money, but they both are nothing more than spoiled little rich boys who throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want.

“I’ll always be a safe place for you, and I’ll always be there for you, Lark. Like I said before, I will prove to you that I am not like those assholes. Just let me know when you’re ready to takethe next step and I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” The urge to kiss her is damn near too much, but I have to go slow. I will not fuck this up. Gently caressing her chin with my thumb, I tilt my head toward the carving wall. “Now, put me to work, Darlin’. Tell me what you need to have done before we safely pack up your tools.”

Lark blinks a couple of times, almost as if me offering to help is something she hadn’t expected. I’ll prove to her that I’m in her corner, supporting her. No matter how long it takes.

And if need be, to be her champion when she’s not able to settle a score herself.

She clears her throat and shakes her head slightly, but her eyes are brighter than they were a moment ago. She pulls her phone out and opens an app to take notes. “Let’s start at the top left and work our way to the right.”

A couple of hours later, and after many breaks for Lark, heated voices reach us as we work together. Sharing a concerned look with her, I walk across the room and feel her following right behind me.

Stepping outside, I rip off my mask and scowl at who my brothers are preventing from entering Lark’s house.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Lark seethes as she comes around from behind me and I follow her, not wanting her to have to face him alone.

A look of concern, which I’m almost fucking positive is fake, crosses Aiden’s face as he looks down at Lark and frowns. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Lark scoffs and shakes her head. “Only took you a fuckingmonthto come and check in on my wellbeing. But now you can see with your own eyes that I’m alive and well, so why don’t you go scamper off home to yourwifeand daughter?”

Aiden’s eyes narrow on her and I feel my muscles tensing, preparing to step in if I have to.

“I’m not so sure ‘well’ can be used to describe you right now, Sweetheart.”

Lark recoils like she’s been slapped and I’m moving without thinking, taking the few steps forward and putting myself in between them. Lark’s shaky hands rests on my back and arm and it takes all my restraint not to fucking pummel Aiden into oblivion.

“I think it’s time you leave, Cox, before you’re reported for trespassing. Maybe even harassment.”

He scoffs and his lip curls as he tries to look down at me, but the effect is ruined since I’m a good six inches taller than him. That and the fucker doesn’t intimidate me in the slightest.

“And what exactly areyoudoing here, Reaper? You and your club are not exactly known for being the good Samaritan type.”

My chest rumbles, and despite his bravado, his face pales slightly. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Pretty Boy. Our clubhashelped numerous people over the years with our charity drives, poker runs and helping in situations like these. Now, like she said, get the fuck out of here.” I pause and take a step closer. “And don’t even think of stepping foot around here again and bothering Lark.”

He straightens up as he smirks at me, his previous false bravado emanating from him again. “Or what?”

I return his smirk. “Or you can say goodbye to your cushy lifestyle when I bring up all the dirt I have on you and your family. You wouldn’t want news about a certain person from Colson to hit the newspapers and gossip reels, would you?”

His entire body goes rigid, and his jaw tightens as he glares at me.

“And that’s only one example.” I pause again, letting him see the anger and the beast inside me. “You step out of line, you try to buy Lark’s property or anyone else’s that was affected by these fires, if you continue to pressure other homeowners and store owners to sell, I’ll release the information I have to the media.”

“You don’t understand who you’re messing with,” he seethes, but once again, the effect is ruined by how I can see his body shaking.

My responding chuckle is dry and humorless. I straighten and the glare I level at him has the pissant almost wetting himself. “No, you don’t understand whoyou’remessing with by trying to toy with the lives of those that live here. Junction Creek isn’t the playground your fucking family thinks it is and you’d fucking know that if you’d listen to any of us. We don’t want miles of condominiums, fancy apartments, strip malls, or resorts. If you and your fucking family knew what was good for you, you’d stop trying to steal people’s properties and land away from them. If we ever get wind of you disregarding our warning, we’ll ruin you and your family. And that’s a fucking promise.”

He swallows thickly and steps back, but not before sending Lark a scathing look.

“You’ve fallen far, Sweetheart. You should be ashamed of mixing with the likes ofthem. I always knew you weren’t worthy of the Cox name, and this just goes to prove it.”

Lark’s fingernails dig into my arm that she’s been holding onto causing my fucking cock to jump at the bite of pain. Not to mention the fact that she’s still touching me.

She scoffs. “To this day, I still count my lucky stars that I found out about your unfaithfulness and deceit before I married you. Not to mention the fact that you’re a spineless weasel. You’ll never measure up to the type of man these guys are. You’re justa fucking puppet for your father. A boy that’s too weak to grow some balls and stand up for yourself. Fuck off, Aiden, and don’t ever come back. If you do, you’ll be considered a trespasser and your body will have a few extra holes, compliments of one of my guns, bows, or crossbows.”

Pride swirls through me at Lark’s words and fuck, the mental image of her wielding any of those weapons has me falling even harder for her.

Mark my words. Someday, Lark will be mine.