Page 47 of Tank

Veronica scoffs, her voice dripping with venom. "Oh, spare us the dramatics, Gerald. The girl's always been a troublemaker. Ungrateful for everything we've done for her."

Red clouds my vision. The urge to wrap my hands around Veronica's throat nearly consumes me.

But Sophie's voice cuts through the haze. Strong. Unbreakable. "Everything you've done? You abused me. Tortured me. Sold me to the highest bidder."

Veronica's eyes flash with rage. Keelie and Kamie shift uncomfortably, their false bravado cracking.

I step forward, placing myself between Sophie and her so-called family. My voice is low. Deadly. "You're not welcome here. Leave now, before I forget my manners."

Veronica opens her mouth to spew more venom, but the Reapers close ranks. A wall of leather and menace.

She pales, realizing she's outnumbered. Outmatched. With a huff, she turns on her heel, motioning for her daughters to follow.

But Gerald lingers, desperation etched into every line of his face. "Sophie, please. Can we talk? Just the two of us?"

Sophie hesitates, conflict warring in her eyes. I squeeze her hand, letting her know it's her call.

She takes a deep breath, then nods. "Five minutes. That's all you get."

Gerald's shoulders sag with relief. He follows Sophie to a corner of Perdition, out of earshot.

I watch them like a hawk, ready to intervene at the first sign of distress. Sophie's strong, but everyone has their breaking point.

The Reapers disperse, but I feel their eyes on me. Waiting for my cue. Ready to ride into battle for one of our own.

Because that's what Sophie is now. A Reaper. My woman. And we protect our own.

No matter the cost.

7 - 8

As Gerald and Sophie talk in the corner, I keep a watchful eye on Veronica. She's standing near the exit, her arms crossed and her face pinched with barely concealed disdain.

There's something about her, the way her eyes dart around the room, calculating. Assessing. Like she's looking for weaknesses to exploit.

My gut twists, instincts screaming that she's hiding something. Something big.

I stride over to her, closing the distance in a few long steps. She startles when I invade her space, but quickly masks it with a saccharine smile.

"Tank, is it? I must say, you're quite an impressive specimen." Her eyes rake over me, undressing me where I stand.

I don't flinch. Don't give her the satisfaction of a reaction. "Cut the bullshit, Veronica. We both know you're not here for a family reunion."

Her smile turns brittle, sharp edges glinting in the harsh light. "I don't know what you're implying, but I suggest you watch your tone."

I lean in, my voice a low growl. "I'm not implying anything. I'm stating facts. You're up to something, and I want to know what it is."

Veronica scoffs, but there's a flicker of unease in her eyes. "You're delusional. I'm here for my stepdaughter, nothing more."

I press closer, crowding her against the wall. "Bullshit. You couldn't care less about Sophie. What's your angle?"

Her composure cracks, a sneer twisting her perfectly painted lips. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, biker boy. I suggest you back off before you get hurt."

I don't blink, don't back down. "Not a chance in hell. See, I know exactly who I'm dealing with. A manipulative bitch who gets off on destroying lives."

Veronica's eyes flash with rage, her true nature breaking through the polished facade. "You know nothing. Sophie's always been a ungrateful little brat. She deserved everything she got."

The pieces click into place, the truth hitting me like a freight train. "You set her up. You knew exactly where she was this whole time."

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