Page 32 of Reaper's Ride

Everyone was here—all the members and their families. Kids ran across the lot, stopping at various tables set up along the way. It was my idea to set up different stations so the kids wouldn’t get bored. Not that they would with the bounce haunted house, the popcorn machine, the cupcake walk, and the headstone painting table.

I watched with a huge grin on my face as the kids played bean bag toss, disc drop, balloon darts, and squirt guns. It was worth the time invested in organizing and planning the party. Itseemed to be a huge hit. This was my third year in charge, and I truly loved watching it come together.

Above us, hanging low and perfectly round in the sky, was a harvest moon. Its amber color added the perfect backdrop to the party and holiday photos. I erected several photo ops throughout the area and was thrilled to see so many people taking advantage of them with their kids and families.

It was hours before I started to see people leave, tucking sleeping kids into their arms. The sugar rush had worn off, and now it was time to take them all home.

I leaned against Pagan, absorbing the happy feeling in my heart and savoring it.

“We’re not done here, you know.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I planned a date.”

Oh, that intrigued me. “You did?”

He pulled something out of his pocket and slipped it over his head. When he turned to me, I only saw a black mask that hid his features.

Excitement tingled along my spine. “What else do you have planned?”

“I’m going to stalk you. Hunt you. Chase you, darlin’.”

“And when you catch me?” I asked with a breathy sigh.

“You’ll be fucked and claimed.”

I shivered.

“But that’s not all. I’ve got rope, this knife,” he paused and held it up, “and I plan to tie you up, keeping you at my mercy.”

“I guess it’s a good time to reveal that I skipped wearing any underwear.”

He growled. “You shouldn’t have told me that.”

Oh, I disagreed with that. It was a very intentional reveal.

“Go ahead, Lainey.” He gestured to the fence behind us, where I could see a gap had been opened and left for me to runthrough. Our game was ready to begin. “Scream. Run. It’s my favorite game.”

“Mine too,” I whispered.

This was the best Halloween ever.

“I’m about to claim every inch of you,” he warned. “If I were you, I’d run.”

Instead of answering, I spun on my heel and raced toward the desert where I knew he’d find and claim me.

I was the luckiest girl to be chased and loved by a Reaper biker and a Pagan. Happy Hallows’ Eve!