Page 136 of Reaper's Claim

Suddenly my stomach dropped. “Well, I guess it was going to get out eventually.”

“End it.”

My mouth dropped. I hadn’t expected his decision to be so final so quickly.

“No.”

“I mean it, Abby.”

“And I mean it too, no. I’m not breaking up with him.”

I was trying my best to be firm, but I was going up against one of the hardest and meanest men, and that wasn’t just me thinking that.

“The Reaper is my Reaper for a fucking reason, Abby. He had no weakness. He’s cold.”

“I’m a weakness to you.”

“And I fucking take that on board with everything I do.”

“Reaper wouldn’t put me in harm's way.”

“Being with the man puts you in more fucking harm than just being my daughter. There are more men that want that man’s head than mine. That’s why he is called the fucking Reaper. He kills, Abby.”

“Stop it, Dad.”

“I’ve watched him gut a man with a knife.”

“Stop it.”

“He’s a killing machine. My killing machine.”

I stared at him blankly. “And I love him.”

Dad’s eyes bulged and the veins running up his neck stiffened. “Take that back.”

“Sending him to another charter, threatening me, threatening him, it isn’t going to work because I’m in love with him. My heart chose him, not me. Don’t you think I know how stupid it sounds to be in love with a man that is known for only coldness?!” I blew out a hot breath. “But it doesn’t change anything. I love him. The good and the bad.”

Dad grunted. “There is more fucking bad in that man than any good.”

“That’s your opinion.”

“He is my Reaper.”

“And I love him.”

Dad cringed. “Stop saying that.”

“It’s not a joke, Dad, and I want your blessing.” I crossed my arms stubbornly. “You know that with him looking over me, there is no chance any other man or woman could hurt me. You know he would die before letting someone hurt me.” Or so I hoped.

Dad glared back at me as his mind clicked over what I said. Then he just stood up, surprising me completely. Had this conversation ended it?

“I’ve seen that man screw through women. I won’t be letting you be another one of his girls.”

“I won’t be.”

“Darn straight you won’t be, because I’m going to make sure of it.”

I gulped. What did that mean?