Page 68 of Reaper's Claim

A tormented expression captured his face. “What the fuck for, Abby?”

“Kim wanted me to.” That was the truth. I did want to go home to see Trigger. Convincing Abby to go just made sense. I didn’t want to face him alone, plus it would do her some good to get out of this shithole.

“So you’re really going?”

“No, Reaper, I’m just saying I’m going.” I rolled my eyes. God, he was frustrating; no wonder Abby wanted to hide in the wardrobe. “Why do you care anyway? You and I both know you only joined the Vikings to hurt me.”

I could see through all their crap, though I was sure Abby hadn’t made the connection between the two yet.

“Fuck, you’re self-centered.”

“Perhaps.” I took a step forward, holding eye contact with him. “So are you coming or not?”

“Why would I go back there?”

He wanted a reason, but I knew he already had one. “Because I’m going.” My lips twisted into a smile.

It was easier to be Abby than to be myself. God, their relationship was so simple.

“You’re cocky this morning.” Reaper tilted his head to the side, his black orbs studying me with intensely. “You’re not… your normal self.”

“Since when did you know my normal self, Viking?” I snapped. The last thing I needed was him figuring it out and then going all biker scary on my arse. “Look, if you come this weekend, great. If you don’t, fine.” I huffed, and turned my back and started to zip up Abby’s pack.

I froze when his hand fell on my shoulder. Oh god… oh god… He slowly turned me around.

“Do you want me to come?” His voice had no edge to it. The honesty behind his words made me lose my voice.

Did Abby want him to come? Oh fuck, why did I push this matter? “Um … well … I …” Why the fuck did he have to be looking at me like that?

His hand slowly traced down my bare shoulder, stopping just above my wrist. His head dipped lower, those eyes wiping away any common sense. “Abby, do you want me to come?”

This never happened to me. I swallowed sharply. “I wouldn’t want… I mean I…” My answer was cut quickly when he spun me around, pinning my arm behind my back. “WHAT THE FUCK, REAPER!”

“Tell Abby when she comes back from wherever the fuck she is, Kim, that I want to speak to her, got it?” he hissed in my ear.

Perhaps he really had a thing for Abby to be able to tell the difference. With my free hand, I punched him in the leg, which caused him to let go of me.

“Tell her yourself, wanker.” I stumbled backward, gripping the wardrobe door handle and forcing it open.

Abby was standing in the middle, arms crossed with a fierce glare on her face.

“And the bitch shows her face.” Reaper’s pissed-off glare flickered off me and onto her. Thank god for that.

“Kim, why don’t you take our shit to the car. I’ll be down in a minute.” Abby didn’t even take her eyes off him to look at me.

“And leave you with the crazy fucker?” I scoffed. Was she nuts?

“He won’t hurt me.” She sounded very confident about that.

“So you’re actually fucking off back home then?” Reaper’s voice dripped with disgust. “Next you’ll be telling me the shit she was spinning about Brad was real.”

“It was.” Abby’s voice didn’t even flinch with hesitation. “Though I’m not keen on the idea of you coming.”

“Liar,” I muttered under my breath, and she whacked me with her right arm.

“Car, Kim. Now.” She didn’t leave room for argument. I didn’t like being told what to do, but the intense eye contact between the two told me they had a heated conversation to share.

“Fine.” I scooped up her bag and gave her a pointed look. “Make it quick, will ya? It’s a long drive.” I closed the door, and the pair didn’t even wait until I reached the staircase before they started arguing.

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