Page 21 of Reaper

She hesitated.“Reaper, you can’t promise that. You don’t know what he’s capable of,” she pointed out.

He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I know exactly what men like him are capable of. But I also know what I’m capable of. And I swear to you, Savannah, I will protect you. No matter what it takes.”

A sob caught in her throat, a mix of relief and fear. But for the first time in years, the fear didn’t feel so paralyzing.

He kissed her softly, his lips lingering on hers like he was sealing a promise. When he pulled back, his gaze held hers.

“You’re stronger than you think. And I’m damn proud of you for telling me.”

The words unraveled something deep inside her, a knot she hadn’t realized she’d been holding onto. She let herself sink into his embrace, letting the warmth of his body, his words, his presence wash over her.

In Reaper’s arms, the shadows of her past seemed just a little bit smaller.

Chapter Nine

Savannah rolled her shoulders as she sat on her motorcycle, appreciating the quiet streets. It was her off day, a rare stretch of free time she’d been looking forward to.

Her mind drifted to Reaper, who had left earlier on an errand for the MC. He hadn’t elaborated, but he never lied to her, never gave her any reason to doubt him. She trusted him more than she’d trusted anyone in a long time.

A ping from her phone drew her attention. It was a text from Samantha.

Samantha:Hey, want to come over for lunch? I’ve got something to cheer you up.

Savannah smiled, her fingers flying over the screen.

Savannah:Sure! Be there soon. Need me to bring anything?

The message sent, Savannah tucked her phone into her jacket pocket. Lunch with Samantha sounded perfect. They often spent weekends together, catching up, venting about life, and playing with Samantha’s energetic son Caleb. Savannah softened her smile at the thought of Caleb’s giggles and sticky hands reaching for her.

As the minutes passed and no reply came from Samantha, Savannah shrugged it off. Maybe Samantha was dealing with Caleb, who could be a handful. She decided to swing by the diner on the way. Their apple pie was Samantha’s favorite, and it was always a good excuse to indulge.

The bell above the diner door jingled as she entered, the scent of sugar and cinnamon wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She ordered two slices to-go, the waitress boxing them up with a knowing smile.

Back on her bike, the hum of the engine beneath her was a comforting rhythm. She took the familiar route to Samantha’s apartment building, weaving through traffic with practiced ease.

When she pulled into the lot and cut the engine, a strange sensation washed over her—a prickling at the back of her neck, a cold weight settling in her gut. She tightened her fingers around the handlebars. The lot seemed normal, the usual cars parked in their spots, the building quiet. But something felt off.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were on her, lurking in the shadows just beyond her vision. She fished her phone from her pocket, her thumb moving quickly over the screen.

Savannah:Hey, just got to Samantha’s place. Heading up now.

She sent the text to Reaper, hoping she was just being paranoid. He always told her to trust her instincts, and right now, those instincts were screaming at her.

Taking a steadying breath, she pocketed her phone and climbed off her bike. She headed toward Samantha’s unit, her boots echoing against the concrete.

The hallway felt too quiet, each step sending ripples of unease through her. When she reached Samantha’s door, her heart stopped. It was ajar. Barely an inch, but enough to set off alarm bells in her mind. The hinges creaked softly as a breeze shifted the door. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed hard, every nerve in her body on edge.

She glanced around the hallway. No one. Every rational part of her screamed to back away, to leave, to call Reaper or the cops. But what if Samantha and Caleb were in danger? What if they needed her now?

She cursed herself for leaving her gun at home. She’d grown comfortable lately, lulled into a sense of safety by Reaper’s presence and the routine of her new life. But now, that absence felt like a glaring mistake.

Pushing the door open slowly, she stepped inside.

The living room was dim, curtains drawn tight against the sunlight. Her eyes adjusted quickly, and her breath caught in her throat. Samantha was on the couch, her face streaked with tears, her arms wrapped tightly around Caleb. The little boy clung to her, his small body trembling.

Savannah’s heart twisted painfully. “Sam?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

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