Page 41 of Reaper

I was about to go tell him to fuck himself and that I could make my own choices when Khloe lit into him. Then, once again, she rolled her eyes at him and told me he’s a health food nut, but part of that is because of his job. It was then that I remembered Zac recently got a job at the fire station. I nearly asked him if he knew who carried me and the first firefighter out. Or what my first rescuer’s name was. Instead, I’d bitten my tongue and went back to stuffing my face and watching the movie. I’m still not sure if I’m ready for those answers or not.

Biting my lip, I look down at my phone in my hand as I sit on the swing on the back porch and scroll through my text thread with Reaper. We talked a lot last night and a part of me questions my initial decision to keep my distance from him until I got my head on straight. Even if the fire hadn’t happened and he had asked me to go out that weekend, I still feel like I would have told him yes. Despite being wary of the bunnies. Part of being in a relationship is learning more about them, but still, it would kill me if I later found out he was seeing someone or sleeping with the club bunnies, even though he said he hadn’t been with anyone for four months.

My phone vibrates and I look down, smiling when I see Reaper’s new text saying he and Python are on their way over with the laptop. Grabbing my coffee mug, I stand and head back inside. Once in the kitchen, I refill my mug.

As I sip the much-needed life-giving nectar, nerves start to form about talking with Granny and Ma about the businesseslater today. I know in my heart that this is the right way to move forward, but I need them to be on board as well.

The sound of motorcycles coming down the driveway brings me out of my thoughts and my gaze darts to the clock, surprised that ten minutes have already passed. Seeing that my mug is almost empty again, I top it off and set it on the counter before walking to the front door. I open it just in time to see Reaper and the man that I’m assuming is Python swinging their legs over their bikes as they get off them.

My mouth goes dry as I stare at Reaper’s back, admiring how his shirt shows off his arm muscles and how his jeans hug his ass and thighs.

“You’re drooling,” Granny says in a sing-song voice as she heads into the kitchen, and I feel my face burning as I glare at her over my shoulder.

She laughs and goes to the cupboard, pulling out two more coffee mugs. Turning back to the guys, I feel my cheeks getting hotter when I see Reaper’s smirk.

Shit.

Did he know I was checking him out?

Shaking off those thoughts, I smile as they walk up the path and up the porch steps.

“Morning, Darlin’.” He pulls me into his arms and I feel myself melting into him. He places a chaste kiss on the top of my head and I damn near melt into a puddle.

Reaper steps aside and it’s then that I realize I’ve met Python before. He’s come into the supper club a few times.

“Lark,” he says as he gives me a chin lift and hands me a messenger bag.

“Thank you, both of you, for doing this for me.” I pause, my cheeks heating when Reaper gives me a look that almost seems to mirror his words yesterday. That I don’t need to thank him fortaking care of me. Clearing my throat, I step back and open the door wider. “Come on in, guys. Would you like any coffee?”

“Yes, please. Black,” Python replies.

“Same,” Reaper says as he shuts the door behind us.

I lead the way into the kitchen, setting the laptop bag down on the table. Of course, Zac chooses that moment to come downstairs, and he narrows his eyes at Reaper and Python when he sees that I’m not alone. Then his gaze narrows further when he sees how close Reaper is standing to me.

Choosing to ignore him, I walk over to the counter and pour them both their coffee before bringing them over to the table.

Straightening, I start with introductions. “Guys, this is Zac Crawford, Khloe’s boyfriend. Zac, these are my friends, Reaper and Python.”

“What are they doing here?”

I frown at how cold and hard his voice is. What the fuck is his problem? Something in me snaps with the need to know what is going on with him.

“I don’t know what the hell your problem is, Zac, but I am allowed to have friends over while I’m staying here, and I most definitely don’t need your permission nor your approval. Now, if you will excuse us, I need to talk to Python about this laptop, so please leave us alone.”

I stare him down, not liking how he’s been treating me. I just hope Khloe isn’t overhearing or seeing this, because I don’t know how she’ll take it.

“You shouldn’t be friends with people like them. They bring trouble wherever they go.”

Oh, no, he did not.

I point angrily at him. “You donotget a fucking say in who I’m friends with and who I’m not. They had nothing to do with the fire, and in fact, they have been extremely helpful ever since it happened. Besides helping over this past month, they spentall day yesterday helping us get our belongings that survived the fire out of the house. You have no say with what I do with my life or who I have in it, so you can keep your damn opinions to yourself.”

His face hardens as he stares me down. “You’re going to get hurt if you keep hanging around them. Don’t you know what happens at those fucking parties they throw?” He sneers at both Reaper and Python before turning back to me.

“Yes, I do know what happens at those parties. Again, you are in no position to controlanyaspect of my life, so you can get the fuck out of here if you have a problem with them being here.”

Movement has me looking to the right of Zac and into the living room. A pit grows in my stomach at Khloe’s shocked face as she stares at Zac.