Page 25 of Reaper

He could see Savannah’s head turn slightly, her eyes catching his for a heartbeat. Relief flooded her face, followed by determination. She knew he was here. She knew he’d come for her.

Reaper’s teeth ground together. He reached beneath his leather jacket, his fingers closing around the cold, familiar weight of his pistol. He didn’t want to fire on the road, not with Savannah so close, but if it came down to it…

Raker veered off the highway onto a narrow, winding back road that led into the woods. A stupid move. Reaper knew these roads better than anyone. The bastard was boxing himself in.

They raced between the trees, branches whipping by in a blur of green and brown. Raker’s bike skidded on loose gravel, fishtailing. Savannah’s body wobbled, but she held on.

Reaper’s eyes narrowed. His chance was coming.

Raker took a hard right, leading them into a clearing. It was an old, abandoned logging site, secluded and empty. No witnesses.

Reaper slowed just enough to maintain control, his eyes locked on his prey. Raker skidded to a stop, the bike’s engine growling before it cut off. He yanked Savannah off the seat, his hand clutching her arm like a vice.

“Stay back, Reaper!” Raker shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.“I’ll break her damn neck!”

Reaper’s feet hit the ground, his boots grinding into the dirt. He didn’t holster his gun. He aimed it squarely at Raker’s forehead, his hands rock-steady.

“You let her go, and maybe I won’t send you to Hell just yet,” Reaper said, his voice deadly calm.

Raker’s laugh was high and brittle.“You think you can—”

Savannah’s elbow jabbed back into Raker’s ribs with all the strength she had. He grunted, his grip loosening for a split-second. It was all Reaper needed.

He lunged forward, a snarl ripping from his throat. His fist crashed into Raker’s jaw, the impact reverberating up his arm. Raker stumbled back, spitting blood and curses.

Savannah darted away, her eyes wide but resolute. Titan grabbed her, pulling her safely behind him.

Reaper didn’t take his eyes off Raker. He advanced slowly, gun still raised.

Raker wiped his mouth, his eyes blazing with hatred.“You think this ends here?” he sneered.“You can’t protect her forever.”

Reaper’s lip curled.“Watch me.”

Raker lunged, a knife flashing in his hand. Reaper sidestepped, his movements swift and precise. He brought the butt of his pistol down on Raker’s wrist, the knife clattering to the ground. Before Raker could recover, Reaper’s fist connected with his stomach. The Ravager doubled over, gasping. Reaper grabbed him by the collar, yanking him upright so they were nose to nose.

“This is for every time you hurt her,” Reaper growled.

His punch landed with a sickening crack, Raker’s head snapping back. He crumpled to the ground, groaning. Slim stumbled into the clearing, his face bloodied from Titan’s assault. He took one look at the scene and froze.

Titan stepped forward, his eyes cold. “You boys picked the wrong town.”

Slim’s eyes darted around, panic setting in. He turned to run, but Titan was faster. His arm shot out, clotheslining Slim to the ground.

Reaper didn’t look away from Raker, who lay sprawled in the dirt, his chest heaving.

“It’s over,” Reaper said quietly. His finger tightened on the trigger.“You don’t touch her again.”

Raker’s eyes widened just as Reaper pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the clearing, final and absolute. He ended Slim next. Silence settled, broken only by the ragged breaths of the living.

Reaper exhaled, his shoulders sagging as the adrenaline bled out of him. He turned, his eyes immediately finding Savannah. She was trembling, but her eyes were clear, filled with trust and relief. He crossed the distance between them in two strides. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her tight against his chest. She melted into him, her fingers gripping his jacket.

“I knew you’d come for me,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

He leaned back just enough to cup her face in his hands. His thumbs brushed away her tears.“Always, baby. Always.”

Her eyes searched his, and then she rose onto her toes, her lips finding his. The kiss was desperate and sweet, full of words they didn’t need to say.

He moved his mouth over hers, the kiss possessive and tender, promising that she was safe now. That she was his.

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