Page 58 of Reaper

Shame rolls through me as I remember watching those videos.

A hand on my arm has me jumping slightly and my muscles coiling tight, but as I turn toward Levi, there’s no judgement in her eyes about my reaction to her touch.

“I’m too violent, Levi. There’s no way I could pull her into that knowing I’d most likely hurt her the first time we sleep together.”

Levi smiles. “Is it someone I know?”

I shake my head and pull out my phone. “No, but hopefully you’ll be able to meet her soon.” I unlock my phone and hand it to her. “That’s my Lark, my Darlin’, my Neith.”

Levi’s smile widens. “She’s gorgeous, Andre.”

Her eyes turn hesitant and I know she’s noticed her burns.

“Do you remember the fires that happened last year? Where Punisher’s brother was injured in one of them?”

She nods. “Yeah. He said they suspected it was arson, but the culprit was never caught. Wait. Was she one of the victims?”

Glumly, I nod. “Yeah. Both her house and their family’s supper club were hit. Those buildings dated back to 1931. Both of them had to be leveled and rebuilt. Erik… Erik was the one that initially reached her, but on the way out, the stairs collapsed beneath both of them. They fell through two sets of stairs and into the basement. A beam fell from the ceiling and knocked Erik out. Thankfully, two other firefighters got them out before they were injured worse.”

My hands curl into fists at the reminder of Zac, but this is the one and only thing I will be thankful for. He was the one that got my Lark out of the fire and another friend of mine, Reese, got Erik out.

Her hand tightens on my arm. “How bad were her burns?”

“She has all three, first, second, and third-degree burns. The worst ones are on the left side of her upper body, but she said she has minor ones on her right shoulder and her lower legs.”

“Does… Does she know it was Erik that tried to save her?”

I hesitate and shake my head. “I don’t think so. Her mom, Emma, and her grandma, Lottie, both know, but Lark blames herself for his injury. I think that’s as much as she knows though and knowing my Darlin’, she’s been beating herself up ever since for being the reason someone lost a job that they loved. I’ve tried to talk to her before about it, but I don’t think it will sink in until she talks to Erik herself. She’s not ready to talk to him yet. I’ve told her that when she is, I’ll set up a meeting with him for her.”

Half-pint smiles up at me. “You’re a great man, Andre, and I know you’ll get through this.” She hesitates but still continues. “I know our lives make this aspect difficult, but is there anyone you might consider going to to talk about things? I know we can’t tell a shrinkeverythingabout what happened to us, but we can give them highlights.”

This time it’s me that hesitates, but I nod. “Actually, I called my cousin the night before we came here. Mackenzie, but I’vealways called her Kenzie, is a therapist. She mainly works with children and battered spouses. She lives about an hour and a half from here and is sort of on our way home. I’m going to stop by her house on the way back and talk to her.” I pause again and turn toward her. “I hate the idea of talking to a shrink, of needing one, but if there’s anyone that can help me, it would be her. We’ve always been close, and we grew even closer when the club and I helped her out of a mess her asshole ex had caused. I know Kenzie would never repeat anything I say to her, and that knowledge solidified even more in the aftermath of that fucking fiasco.”

Levi’s smile widens. “I’m glad you’re going to talk to her. Just remember though, I’m here for you if you need another ear or if you can’t reach Kenzie.” She pauses, and she worries her lip as her smile fades. She fiddles with the pen in her hand but doesn’t look back up at me as she continues. “Do you think she’d be okay taking on more discrete patients?”

This time, I comfort her as I place my hand over hers, stilling the nervous habit she’s had ever since we were kidnapped. She always has to have her fingers moving now, be it a pen or a knife that she twirls around her fingers.

“I think she would be okay with it, but I’ll ask and make sure when I’m there. If she is, I’ll text you her number.”

“Thank you.” She pauses as she smiles mischievously at me. “And I can’t wait to meet your Lark, Andre. When you’re ready, give her my number and I’ll bring her in on a text thread with the other ladies. Mama Astrid is in it too, so she won’t be the only woman from your club in it.”

Relief fills me unexpectedly at having Levi’s support in this and her acceptance of Lark. I pull her closer and give her a hug.

“Thanks, Half-pint.”

She scoffs and somehow her smile widens even more. “Of course, Andre. You just needed a little reminder that we’vealways got each other’s backs. Give us a heads-up next time you’re able to come visit, and we’ll do the same. Though I have a feeling my men will probably prefer to wait until these troublemakers are born, and even then, I think they’ll be reluctant for a while.”

I chuckle and reach out to caress her stomach. “Be good, my little nieces, and stop using your mama’s organs as a trampoline or a soccer ball.”

Levi laughs and I smile as I feel two little kicks. I give her stomach a mock glare. “I said be nice to your mama, little ladies. You can tear it up once you’re able to walk.”

Levi laughs again and leans toward me, resting her head against my shoulder as we sit side by side. She slips her hand into mine and I give it a gentle squeeze.

“You’ll get through this, Andre. We’ll get through this. And someday, we’ll break the chains they still hold over us.”

We sat like that for another twenty minutes talking, and as we talked, it further cemented that I was doing the right thing.

Half an hour later, we’re all ready to hit the road. Devil clasps me on my shoulder as we stand by our bikes. “Say hello to Kenzie for us. Take all the time you need. I’ve got things until you get back and will check in on your shop in the meantime.”