Page 14 of Reaper & the Lioness (Lone Star Mavericks MC #1)

Chapter Eleven

C ity Hall filled to capacity just before the meeting began, the fire chief closing the doors and instructing a line of latecomers to wait outside. The standing crowd buzzed with energy beneath the harsh fluorescent lights.

I shot Reaper and Thane a satisfied grin as I scanned the crowd.

Mavericks and their families packed the front rows.

Jack’s high school shop boys clustered in their letterman jackets at the back.

Women I recognized from the shelter visit filled an entire row with toddlers perched on their knees, and a group of elementary school moms crowded around Cora.

Maisie moved about the crowd, hugging customers she’d asked to attend on her behalf when they ordered their morning lattes and cinnamon rolls.

Reaper leaned in. “How did you get all these people here?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? I’m charming as fuck.”

Thane’s laugh rumbled as he squeezed my shoulder. “Hiring you might have been the best decision I’ve made all year.”

Reaper scoffed and walked away. He’d never admit it, but the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth told me he was impressed.

“Call to order,” shouted the mayor.

Following the roll call and the meeting agenda presentation, the city administrator opened the meeting to discuss the “facts” as they’d been presented to him by Danielle.

But the smug look was quickly wiped from her face as public commenters began to form a line.

Each person shared a unique story or perspective on how a Maverick-owned business had impacted their community or family.

I watched with curiosity as Sarah Knapp, the woman I recognized as the city’s director of parks and recreation, moved to the mic.

“Last year, the Mavericks raised $10,000 for the new playground in Crockett Park after the tornado destroyed the old equipment. Grimm Construction, which is owned by the Mavericks VP, installed it for free. Thousands of children visit the park each year. We shouldn’t let a few bad actors chase away companies that support our community. ”

I glanced at Reaper, and he met my gaze from across the room. I raised a brow in surprise. I watched as he picked up his phone to type a message. My phone buzzed seconds later.

Reaper: You’re not the only one who can be charming as fuck.

I stifled a laugh as others stood in line to share their stories. Danielle’s face grew more red by the second, resembling a boiled crawfish. She’d underestimated the support we’d bring. What she thought was a sure victory was shot to hell by our countermove.

As more supporters spoke, I watched the executive director of economic development lean over to whisper in the city administrator’s ear.

He blanched before standing to address the room.

“Thank you to everyone who attended and shared your perspectives. You’ve given us much to consider.

I’d like to table this discussion until further notice. ”

The room erupted in relieved chatter. I lingered near the door as the crowd spilled into the hall. I watched Danielle slink out, her army of Facebook followers nowhere in sight.

Reaper brushed my arm to catch my attention. “Nice work tonight, PR girl.”

I grinned. “A compliment? Are you okay? Do you have a fever?” I reached to touch his forehead in mock concern.

He snorted and swatted my hand away. “I’m just relieved no one started a riot. Then I’d have to bail you out of jail.”

“Or maybe not. I look good in handcuffs.” The flicker of shock on his face was worth every ounce of bravado. “But it’s good to know you’re here to save me from my bad decisions.”

Reaper stepped a little closer. “You don’t seem like the type of woman who needs to be saved.”

I shrugged. “I’m not. But I like knowing I have a knight in shining leather on speed dial.” I pretended to study my chipped nail polish before meeting his gaze again.

His dark eyes skimmed over my face and lingered a half-second too long on my mouth. “Have you ever even made a bad decision?”

I tilted my head, and the tension hung between us for a beat. “Sometimes I think I’d like to.”

Before he could respond, Rhetta burst through the crowd and hugged me tightly. “You did it, sugar. Thane is thrilled at how you packed this place.”

“I’m just glad it worked. We still have a lot of reputation repair ahead of us, though.”

“Come on. Let’s go to the bar around the corner to celebrate.”

She tugged me away as I watched Reaper disappear into the crowd.

I gripped my steering wheel as I searched for a parking spot. Rhetta had talked me into a late dinner at Ríonach, a sleek new fusion spot downtown, and she’d nabbed a reservation during a peak hour because a member owned the place.

I hated driving downtown. I could barely parallel park even in the most ideal spots. In addition, street parking was scarce this late as the bars and restaurants filled with the promise of a fun Saturday night.

The setting sun cast shadows across the road from the tall buildings as I drove past Ríonach and the dark parking garage beside it, turning down the side street to find a spot.

I’d take the peace of mind and longer walk over the anxiety and memories that would flood me if I stepped foot inside a concrete prison.

Finally, I found an open space I could maneuver into without risking my paint job or my pride. The chirp of my Jeep’s lock cut through the humid evening air.

That’s when I noticed two men emerging from a dented pickup truck parked a few spots down the street.

The hairs on the back of my neck raised as I watched them stalk behind me through my peripheral vision. My heart rate spiked, and adrenaline flooded my system.

Feigning nonchalance, I thumbed a location pin to Rhetta. My pulse thrummed in time with the clicking heels of my platform stilettos—a fashion decision I cursed, knowing I couldn’t run in them.

Me: Think I’m being followed. If I’m MIA in 15, start here.

Rhetta: Hold tight. Thane is in a meeting, but I know some of the guys are nearby.

I reached into my purse to thumb the switchblade I almost always carried, though I knew it wouldn’t be adequate for a woman in heels against two attackers. I kicked myself for ignoring my dad’s suggestion that I carry a concealed weapon.

I quickened, watching the men close the distance between us through the reflection in car windows.

Their shadows stretched long on the sidewalk.

I crossed the street. Their boots scuffed the concrete as they matched my pace.

Baseball caps pulled low obscured their faces in the storefront reflections.

I jumped as my phone rang.

“Hey, Rhetta! I’m just a few minutes away,” I said loudly, hoping to signal to my pursuers that someone was expecting me.

“How far are you from Main Street?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.

“Just about there.”

“Okay, listen for the bike. Thane is sending someone.”

I let out a shaky breath as I approached the intersection. Traffic had stopped, so I jogged across. “I’m on the other side of the street now. I hear bikes.”

“Good. Let whoever it is drive you the rest of the way here.”

Two Harleys pulled beside me as I hung up. Relief washed over me as Reaper dismounted, a welcome sight for once. He hit the kickstand and approached me, his eyes intense as they scanned my body for any signs of harm.

“Where are the guys who were following you?” he demanded, scanning the area.

I glanced over, pointing to the two men retreating to their truck at the sight of the Mavericks coming to my aid. He nodded to the other man, the pretty-boy blond with bright blue eyes I’d seen at the clubhouse. “Follow them, Hatchet,” he ordered. “Get their plate and send it to Linc.”

He straddled his bike. “Get on. Where am I taking you?”

“Ríonach.” I moved toward the bike, my legs shaky from the adrenaline. “I can walk the rest of the way now.”

He shook his head. “Prez’s orders were to give you a ride. So get on. Why the fuck did you park all the way out here? There’s a garage across the street.”

His bike roared to life as I settled behind him.

“Because I … uhh … I don’t particularly like parking garages.”

His jaw tensed, the muscle popping a few times before he moved his gaze to the road ahead. “Hold tighter. Unless you wanna become roadkill.”

The bike lurched, and I gripped his waist. I’d never ridden on the back of a motorcycle before, and my heart jumped in my throat at the fear of falling off the back.

Within minutes, he stopped in front of the restaurant’s black awnings and hanging lights, with Rhetta stepping out to greet us. I used Reaper’s shoulder to balance as I dismounted from the bike, wobbling in my heels.

“Thanks for looking out for her,” she said over my shoulder at Reaper, pulling me into a hug.

He nodded curtly. “Text Thane when you pay the bill so we can wait for you outside.” He revved the bike, whipping it around in the middle of the street.

Rhetta peered over me, concerned. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “I need a drink. I don’t know what those men wanted from me, but they immediately turned around when Reaper and the other guy pulled up. Please thank Thane for me.”

“You can tell him yourself when he picks me up after dinner. Thane’s really happy with your work so far. I know he didn’t mind sending a few guys after your stalkers.”

I cringed at the idea of being stalked again. “Part of me wonders if I overreacted. But I can’t shake the feeling that they were coming for me, especially since they ran as soon as the bikes pulled up.”

I did my best to hide my shaking hands as I read the menu. A shot of tequila and two smoky palomas later, a soothing warmth spread through me, easing the anxious dread. By the time the waitress served dinner, I had a good buzz.

Rhetta cocked an eyebrow as she stabbed another bite of enchilada. “So, when will I get you to go on a date with a real man?”

I rolled my eyes. “Just because my boyfriends haven’t been bikers, doesn’t mean they aren’t real men.”