Page 83 of Reaper

“You mean,wewill protecteach other. I’m not some damsel that can’t defend herself. If someone comes shooting, you can bet your ass that my gun will be out along with everyone else’s as I help protect our family.”

Even though I don’t know everyone in the club very well, that’s exactly what they have become to me over the past year and a half. My family.

He lets go of my hand and trails it up my arm before he gently clasps the back of my neck. He leans down before kissing me hard. A few moments later, he pulls back and rests his forehead against mine.

“How the fucking hell did I get so lucky as to have you as my woman?” he mutters, repeating the same question he’d asked me last night.

I give him a small smile and shrug my shoulder a bit. “Easy, I said yes.”

He hesitates and I’m pretty sure where his mind went, but I don’t rush him. The muscles in his jaw tick as he clenches his jaw, but his grip on me continues to be soft.

“Just make sure you stay safe, Darlin’. I can’t… I can’t lose you now that I have you. That would…”

My anger slides away at the tormented look in his eyes and I nod as I go up on my toes to kiss him.

“I promise, Hercules, but I need you to promise me that you’ll do everything you can to stay safe too. I know that some things are out of our control, and if that happens, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“Promise, Darlin’.”

This time, his kiss is soft but still passionate.

A whistle brings me out of my lusty haze, and I resist the urge to flip off whoever it was that interrupted us.

Turning in Anthony’s grasp, I lean against him as I wrap an arm around his waist and his arm shifts to rest on my bad shoulder. Once again, I’m amazed that his touch doesn’t turn my stomach like it does with everyone else.

“Are you sure you want to forgive his ass, Lark?” Devil asks teasingly, his amber eyes sparkling with mischief.

Anthony mutters under his breath and I give his waist a squeeze as I smile up at him mischievously.

“It was touch and go there for a bit,” I tease and I wink at him when Anthony’s eyes flash at my teasing, “but, yeah, he’s mine so I forgave his ass. I love him too much to let him go.”

Anthony kisses me and I can’t help my laugh when Devil grumbles again.

Walking down the path, Igor follows next to me as we all head toward the clubhouse. When Anthony leans in close to Devil to talk quietly.

“Need to do a vote, is everyone here?”

Devil gives him a chin lift. “No—a few are still working.”

I pretend not to hear them, but my stomach clenches at his words. What do they need to vote on? Is it about me?

“Hey, Lark, it’s going to be okay.”

I turn toward Devil and wince at his concerned face. Maybe I didn’t hide my worries well enough.

“There’s always a vote when one of us decides he wants his woman to become his Old Lady. Mama Astrid, Anthony’s mom, Ruby, my aunt, Maria, and others were all voted in as well when their time came. As for Forest Creek, there were votes for Levi and Mae, too.”

I hesitate as I gnaw on my lip. “Has anyone ever voted ‘no’ before?”

Both Anthony and Devil’s postures go rigid as they share a look.

“Yeah,” Anthony drawls out slowly. “My dad told me it happened once a long time ago and that’s the only instance he’s heard of it happening.”

“What happened?” I ask, my voice quiet, and then my eyes widen as I realize I might not be allowed to know. “I’m sorry! If it’s club business, I get it, you don’t have to tell me.”

They both shake their heads.

“It’s not club business,” Devil tells me.