Page 104 of Reaper's Claim

“So you want to go head to head with Roach then? Cause no offense Amber, you’ve got more bark than bite. At least I’ll get some punches in.”

“When will you ever learn,” she took a step closer to me, rising to her tippy toes and whispering in my ear, “Words burn and slice deeper than any physical punch.”

Her soulless eyes met mine once more before she spun on her heel and headed in the direction Roach had stormed off in.

Fine. If she wanted to take on the old man, she could. I was going to find Abby. My stomach twisted, remembering the pain in her eyes. Amber better bloody well give Roach what he deserves.

But right now, I needed to focus on finding Abby before she fled town and I never saw her again.

Chapter 40

Abby

I hadn’t thought it through; I just ran and kept going. I didn’t stop when I heard Kim’s screaming voice behind me. I ducked around the corner and hid in a bush when I heard the roar of a familiar motorcycle.

I didn’t want to be dragged back there. I never wanted to see Dad again. I cupped my cheek and flinched at the touch.

He hadn’t gone easy on the slap; he had put his full force behind it.

After running for what felt like hours, I stumbled to a stop and slumped down at the bottom of a driveway.

I had nowhere to go.

I had no money.

I had no car.

I had only what I was wearing, and I wasn’t dressed for this chilly night.

I didn’t even have anyone to call, even if I did have my phone on me.

The clouds thundered above and the rain wasn’t far away. Which only confirmed to me that tonight still could get worse.

Why had he kept Amber a secret for so long? Did that mean the boys were my step-brothers? I gagged at the thought of how many times I had admired Troy and Tyler with their tops off.

The crying was slowing to a small stream now, but it was my cheek that really hurt.

“Excuse me, but you’re blocking my way,” a voice said from behind me. I wasn’t in the mood to be nice.

“Then walk around,” I snapped back.

“Sure, if you want me to drive over you.”

Pushing myself up from the ground, I let out a long sigh. “Think you would be doing me a favor if you did.”

He adjusted his suit jacket while his eyes examined me in a manner I hadn’t experienced before. His chiseled features and combed back black hair told me this man had money, and I noted the Bentley parked behind him.

He swallowed sharply and took a step towards me, his eyes still examining mine. “I’m assuming by the red cheek and tears you have had a break up with someone.”

I scoffed loudly. “You would be half right, half wrong. But what does it matter anyway? You're just a stranger, and I was just a girl standing in your way.” I took a noticeable side step out of his driveway. “Night,” I muttered, turning my back to him and beginning to walk in the opposite direction of the clubhouse.

I really needed sleep. Not to mention a plan. I groaned internally. I really needed Kim. She knew how to handle these situations so much better than I.

A car pulled up beside me, window winding down. “Do you want a lift?”

“My parents always told me not to get in the car with strangers.” Actually, that was a lie; Dad always said get in then pull the knife and rob them. Being a minor, you don’t get charged as harshly.

Never got to do it, though.

---