Page 28 of Reaper & the Lioness (Lone Star Mavericks MC #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

I buzzed with excitement to get out of the cabin for a night. I’d texted Rhetta, convincing her to stop at my house to bring me a few things I’d need to be ready.

“All right, spill,” Rhetta demanded as soon as she walked through the door. “I want all the juicy details about you and Reaper.”

Hawk bounded over, tail wagging as he greeted her.

She followed me through the cabin and dropped the bag on the bed.

I glanced at her as I finished applying mascara, careful not to smudge the smoky eye makeup or the dark, sultry lipstick. “What’s there to tell? You already figured out that we’re hooking up.”

Rhetta rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. I want more than that. How’s the sex? What was this elusive prize he won Saturday night?”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as I dug through the bag. I pulled out the outfit I had in mind for tonight.

“The sex … mind blowing. Like, earth-shatteringly good. He cuffed me to the bed and … I don’t even know how to describe the experience.”

“I knew you had a kinky side hidden under that business suit! But, come on, it’s more than just sex, isn’t it? I noticed how you two were looking at each other. I’ve never seen either of you like this before.”

“Yeah, this thing with Roman feels different.”

“I still can’t believe you call him that. Most of the guys in the club don’t even know his real name.”

A small smile played on my lips. “I know we’re moving really fast. But I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”

“I felt the same when I first met Thane. It was like everything just clicked. We moved fast, too, but when you know, you know.”

“And you’ve never regretted it?”

“Not for a second. Sure, the club life can be tough, but Thane and I are a team. We face everything together. You know, Reaper doesn’t let many people in. His childhood was rough. He took care of his mom and Linc. They even spent some time in a shelter before his dad went to prison.”

A pang struck my chest, pieces of Reaper’s life he hadn’t told me falling into an unfinished puzzle. “He hasn’t talked about that yet.”

Rhetta nodded. “He wouldn’t. I only know what Linc has shared with me. But I’m so excited. You fit into this world so well.”

I stepped into the bathroom to change. The tight black top I chose featured embroidered flames licking up my sides. I paired it with a leather miniskirt to show off my long legs and favorite black cowboy boots.

Rhetta blew a low whistle when I opened the door. “Damn, girl. Reaper’s not going to know what hit him.”

My confidence surged. “That’s the plan.”

“I’m so happy you moved here. It’s like you were made for the Mavericks life.”

“We’ll see.”

“You know what this means, right?” Rhetta said with a laugh. “You’re going to be an old lady.”

I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds so antiquated and ageist.”

Rhetta chuckled. “I know it sounds weird, but it’s a term of endearment in the motorcycle club world. It’s not about age. It’s about status and respect.”

I eyed Rhetta, thinking of the property patch she wore across her back.

“I’m not anyone’s property. I’ve worked too hard to be my own person.”

“I get it. I really do. But it’s not about ownership in the way you’re thinking. It’s about protection and commitment.”

I raised my brows skeptically.

“We both know you’d never stand for being controlled. And Reaper wouldn’t try. He would always respect your independence. The ‘property’ thing is more about keeping you safe. It’s a sign that you’re off limits.”

Some of my reservations eased. “Roman hasn’t mentioned it, but I’ll try to keep an open mind if he does.”

“ When he does,” Rhetta clarified. “He’s probably just nervous about how you’ll react. He has never given a woman his property patch. I’m not even sure he’s ever had a serious relationship.”

“Really?”

Rhetta nodded. “It’s a big deal. Just try to be open to the idea, all right?”

“Fine,” I grumbled. The idea of being Reaper’s “old lady” thrilled and intimidated me. It represented a level of commitment I hadn’t considered before.

She scanned my body from head to toe before grinning. “He’s going to eyeball-fuck you so hard you’ll get pregnant.”

I laughed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s way too soon to talk about having babies.”

Rhetta gave me a sad smile. “One of us needs to, and we both know I can’t.”

A pang of guilt twisted in my chest. I’d forgotten about the health challenges she’d endured—the endless rounds of doctors, the pain, the hysterectomy that had shattered her dreams of motherhood. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

She waved me off, but I could feel the tension in her shoulders. “Don’t. You know I’m happy for you. Really.”

I squeezed her tighter, smelling leather and the faint scent of Thane’s cigarettes that clung to her. “You’re the best, you know that? And if I do have little Reaper babies, you’ll be the best aunt they could ever ask for.”

Rhetta pulled back and smirked. “Damn right. I’ll teach them how to flip you off before they’re out of diapers.”

I laughed. “I have no doubt that you’ll actually do that.”

“I need to head out,” Rhetta said as she gathered her things. “I left Maisie in charge of the kitchen, and she’s entirely too nice to the prospects. They’ve probably eaten everything in the fridge, and I’ll have to buy more groceries to feed everyone tonight.”

As the door closed behind her, I took a deep breath, excitement coursing through my veins. Tonight, I would take on the world—or at least, the Mavericks’ world. I’d worry about my potential old lady status and the idea of a family for another day.

As I waited, a message from Matt came through.

Matt: I just landed at IAH. Story got blown all to shit because someone assassinated the oil executive, so my schedule has opened up. Ruth Wass lives outside of Houston now. She agreed to meet us for coffee at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Maisie’s Bakery, which I think is near you.

I sighed, conflict churning in my gut. On one hand, this could be the break we needed to expose Hale.

On the other, Reaper would be furious at the idea of me meeting someone in public while a price remained on my head.

I’d have to make a serious case for him to understand why this mattered so much. I sent Matt a quick response.

Me: Let me check with my personal bodyguard.

Matt responded within seconds.

Matt: I can’t tell if you’re joking or not. You need to be there. We have to get this story published before Hale hurts anyone else.

Reaper’s truck rumbled up the driveway. I shoved my phone into my purse, pushing the dilemma to the back of my mind. I couldn’t wait to watch his jaw hit the ground.