Page 98 of Reaper

I slump in my chair and finally let my tears fall. I’ve only texted and chatted with Levi so far from the Forest Creek chapter, but she’s told me a lot about the other members, especially her chosen sister and brothers, which includes Smoke.

After a few minutes, I blow my nose and wipe my cheeks. Opening my drawer, I pull out my makeup kit I keep stashed here and freshen up a bit.

Once I feel a bit more composed, I step out, lock up my office, and head back out to the bar. Scanning the crowd, I notice only Cannon and Atlas are still here and they are still sitting protectively on either side of Miracle. The rest either left with Anthony or they must have headed back to the clubhouse.

As I approach, they both give me chin lifts before Cannon pulls his phone out and texts someone. A moment later, my phone buzzes.

Cannon: Atlas and I will stay until you close and then follow both you and Miracle back to the clubhouse.

Lark: Thank you.

Cannon: Don’t worry, Lark. They’ll find who did this and they’ll get what’s coming to them.

I don’t even have to think as I type my reply.

Lark: Good, so long as it’s painful.

Looking up, our gazes lock and I know I’m right. Whoever did this is going to hurt before taking a long dirt nap. And not surprisingly, I find that I’m okay with that. Ever since the fire, I’ve been even more protective of those I care about. Suddenly stories about how Grandpa Raymond dealt with those who betrayed him and the speakeasy come to mind. Seems I may have more in common with Grandpa Raymond than I thought.

That night after closing, Miracle, Cannon, and Atlas follow me out the back door and as I turn around, I freeze when I see my car.

There’s another note tucked under the windshield wiper.

With what looks like blood on it.

“Cannon, Atlas,” I hiss as my gaze scans the area around it, but with it being a cloudy and moonless night, I can’t see very much outside of the perimeter of the motion detector lights.

Their heads whip toward me and then they follow my line of sight.

Cannon holds out a hand and I dig in my bag for some disposable nitrile gloves and a plastic baggie that the guys asked me to carry around after the first note was found. As soon as Doc mentioned someone could dust drugs over a note that could affect anyone that touched them, Anthony was animate that everyone carries a kit with a handful of these in their saddle bags and for me, my purse.

I give them to him and Atlas moves to stand protectively in front of me and Miracle while scanning the tree line.

A moment later, Cannon curses as he takes a picture of the note before putting it in the baggie along with his gloves.

“W-What did it say?” I ask, hating that my voice trembles, but I’ve been a ball of nerves since hearing about Smoke getting shot and then later, Mae getting kidnapped.

“You’re riding in Miracle’s car until we can get your car checked out. I won’t take any chances. Fucking wish we had our own Bastion. He could at least sniff the car and see if it’s clear that way.”

My hand trembles as I take the note from Cannon and then I freeze. Next to me, Miracle inhales sharply.

You keep letting that filth touch you and you’re making me mad. You won’t like what happens when I get mad, Lark.

“We need to tell Reaper.”

Atlas’ voice brings me out of my panic and I immediately shake my head. “No, not yet.”

They both give me angry looks, and I point up at my house. “I’ll explain when we get to my house. I will tell him, but we need to wait.”

They both scowl but the four of us head up the path to my house.

As we walk, I find myself jumping at various sounds in the forest. Maybe I should consider putting more lights out here?

Five long minutes later, I unlock the front door and we all pile into the living room.

“Explain,” Cannon and Atlas growl almost in unison.

“The guys need to focus on rescuing Mae. We don’t know what those fuckers are doing to her. Once they have her and are back at the clubhouse,thenI will tell Reaper. Right now, this guyis just threatening me. Mae’s the one in immediate danger, not me.”