Page 84 of Reaper

Anthony runs a hand through his hair. “One of our brothers, Shark, wanted his woman, Chastity, to become his Old Lady. She’d been staying at the clubhouse with him for a few months at that point. When they went to do a vote, everyone said yes except for Smithy’s old man, Grinder, who was the Treasurer before him, and my dad, who was the President before me. They said ‘no’. Shark had to be physically restrained when they said ‘no’ at first. Then they explained why.

“Apparently, the books were off at one of our businesses for a while, but the night before, Grinder and my dad finally figured out what was going on. They’d planned to bring it up in the next morning’s Church meeting. Chastity had been stealing from them for over a year, and their suspicion was that she got close to Shark so that she could hide it and continue skimming off the top.”

Devil scowled and continued. “When Chains, that’s Reaper’s dad’s road name, finished explaining everything, Shark needed to be restrained again, but this time, it was to keep him from going after Chastity. He wanted blood for her betrayal. Raven, Reaper’s mom, and Mama Astrid got the truth out of Chastity and Chains and Grinder’s suspicions were confirmed. She was just using Shark as a cover and she figured if she got in, she could keep her operation going before ditching him and disappearing.”

I narrow my eyes at them. “I really hope what I think happened, happened because of her betrayal to the club. If it were up to me, she’d have a few extra holes before taking a nice long nap in the woods.”

Both Devil and Anthony grin before Devil clasps Anthony’s shoulder.

“You best not fuck this up, because she is definitely Queen material.”

Anthony shakes his head as he smiles down at me, his eyes dark with desire and I have to fight not to squirm under his gaze.

“I don’t plan to.”

Chapter 33

Reaper

Walkinguptotheclubhouse, I hold the door for Lark and follow her in. Immediately, my brothers’ attention snap to us and they all grin. Devil already sent out the text calling for Church later this evening, so they already know I’ll be requesting a vote.

A chorus of ‘hello’, and ‘hey, Lark,’ rings out as we walk over to the couches.

“Do you want anything to drink, Darlin’?” I ask Lark as she sits down opposite of Mama Astrid and Odin.

“Can I have a Coke, please?”

Nodding, I walk over to the bar. “Beer and a Coke,” I tell Nathan who is working the bar today.

“You got it, Pres.”

Nathan grabs me a Spotted Cow from under the bar and then grabs Lark a Coke. That’s one thing I like about Nathan. Drake too now that I think about it. Both of them learned quick whichdrinks we all preferred and they always uncap them in front of us without us having to remind them.

Nathan started Prospecting with us this past April whereas Drake started this past February. Both of them work hard, and without complaint, so I don’t think they’ll have any trouble patching in.

So long as they don’t fuck up, that is.

Grabbing our drinks, I walk over to Lark, give her her drink and set mine down on the coffee table. Lark squeaks in surprise when I pick her up and sit down, settling her on my lap. She gives me a small smile as she shakes her head, but her eyes are sparkling as she hands me my drink that she grabs off the coffee table. She turns back to Mama Astrid as she leans back against me.

“So, what’s the plan for tonight? Do you need help cooking or are we ordering in?”

Mama Astrid smiles and gives me a look of approval. Mama Astrid has come with us to the supper club and the tavern quite a few times, so her and Lark have gotten pretty close.

“I always draw tickets the day before in case there’s any prep that will take a long time or if I need to buy any ingredients. Tonight we’re having Loki’s suggestion—Cajun. We’re going to have roast beef po’boy’s, Cajun mac and cheese, and creamy andouille pasta.”

As she speaks, heels clicking on the wood floors comes down the hallway and I feel Lark tense in my arms for a moment before she relaxes a bit. Mama Astrid waves a hand toward the hallway as her lips curls a bit.

“That lot can’t cook for shit, and if they do, it tastes like it. You’re always welcome to help in the kitchen.”

All three of the bunnies scowl when they see Lark on my lap and my claiming hold on her hip. Though if Lark notices their scowls, she doesn’t react to them.

Lark hums. “That sounds good. Let me know when you’re ready to start and I’ll help.”

We fall into easy conversation for the next hour before Lark heads to the restroom.

A bit later, I glance down at my watch. Ten minutes.

Where is she?