Page 21 of Reaper's Claim

I leaned against the shop counter, and the retail assistant was chatting with me, a conversation which I wasn’t into. My attention was on Abby as she scanned a rack of clothes.

She frowned at a blue dress. She was stunning, and I wondered if she knew how beautiful she was.Only eighteen and so flawless.

A bunch of loud boys entered the shop. It took them a full two minutes before their eyes landed on Abby.

We were in some punk, young-clothes shop. Fuck if I knew the name of it; all I knew was there was a hell of a lot of clothes and Abby seemed to like it.

A tall boy with a cocky grin slowly made his way over to her. My eyes narrowed as I watched like a predator.

“Harrison.” The boy stood right in front of her. “Why aren’t you at your party?”

“Noel.” Abby crossed her arms, and I watched as she took a noticeable step away from him. Her interest in the dress was gone. “Why are you speaking to me?”

“You mean why haven’t I pushed you over or backed you into a corner by now?”

One more word, cunt, and I’ll be giving you a facial. I stepped away from the counter. I didn’t want to charge over there in case the prick was Abby’s friend. I wouldn’t embarrass her.

The kid was young, looked like the type of bloke most girls would go for in high school. Maybe she had a crush on him. That made my stomach burn with disgust and anger.

“You know, Noel, I’m surprised you even bothered to waste a few moments of your pathetic life with me. Looks like your friends are waiting for you; best you fuck off now.”

While Abby was speaking, another male made his way over to them.

“Surprised to see you out in public, Harrison.” The other male sized her up. I knew that look; it was the same look that I had given a hell of a lot of women.

That was all I needed to see. A need to protect her fired through me.

Abby was stiff as a board, and I could almost feel her anxiety as I approached her. Standing behind her, she must have known I was there because she was quick to take an extra step back until she was pressed against my chest.

She was scared of these fuckers, and that sent a jolt of rage through my blood.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her back pinned against my chest. Her body melted into me.

Couldn’t say I didn’t like the feeling.

“You’re going to want to take a step back.” I threatened, keeping my eyes locked on the kids. One punch and he would be on the ground. If he and his mate knew what was good for them, they would back off. I wasn’t below hitting a boy. I saw it as teaching a lesson. I’d call it ‘don’t fuck with a biker’s girl.’

Noel raised his hands, taking a step back. “Calm down, brother. Harrison isn’t worth fighting over.” He grunted, and the guy next to him nodded in agreement.

Just don’t kill him. Just don’t kill him.I kept repeating it in my head, trying to keep a handle on my temper.

“Start walking.” It wasn’t a suggestion so much as a warning.

“Catch you at school, Harrison.” Noel shot a look at Abby with a threatening tone to his words before the two of them walked off to join their other friends, who were standing around at the entrance of the shop looking like they wanted to leave.

I kept my eyes locked on them until they walked out of the shop. Abby’s breathing was rapid and sharp, and I wondered what the fuck those boys had done to her to get her so worked up and have such a fear of them.

I dipped my head down to her shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Are you alright?”

It took a few minutes before she nodded her head. She kept her hand on my arm, which was wrapped around her. “I’m ok.” She tilted her head to the side, staring into my eyes. “Thanks for that.”

“Didn’t do anything, babe.” I wished I had done more, but for some reason, I thought that me punching the guys wouldn’t have pleased her. Abby was a gentle soul, the complete opposite of me.

“Can we go?” She pulled out from my grasp, spinning on her heels to look up at me. “I just want to get out of here.”

“What about the dress?” I nodded my head at the dress she had just spent at least five good minutes looking at before.

“I wouldn’t have any place to wear it to.” She glanced at it. “I don’t usually wear bright colors; that is more Kim’s thing.”