Page 121 of Reaper's Rival

“You ok?”

I nodded my head, watching the funeral director open the back of the car. The guys slowly walked over to the open grave site, but I was frozen on the spot till Dad took one side of the coffin and Reaper took the other. Slowly, they walked toward the open plot.

I followed behind them with Kim at my side. Reaper was wearing his leathers and a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes from me. I guess I was doing the same, shielding my emotions.

They lowered the coffin onto the ropes and stood beside the grave. Kim and I came to a stop across from them. The graveyard was covered with bikers, and they all hovered close as Dad cleared his throat. My eyes were glued on the tiny blue coffin.

My Matthew.

“I’ll be speaking today on behalf of Abby and Kade. I admit I wasn’t thrilled when I heard Abby was pregnant. But like always, I came around and when we found out we were having Matthew Kade Wilson, I admit I was a proud grandfather. A grandson. Immediately I thought of all the things I would teach him and see him do. From first steps to first teeth. I’d be the one picking his first bike and giving him his first lessons along with his father. I thought of the first dates, to the first time he pitched in and I rode beside him. He was the son I was never given. And soon he would be a man that I could hand the club over to. In my eyes, he was already twenty before he was even born.” Dad paused and looked directly at me. “And just like his mother, I knew he would have a heart of gold and a smile that would light up the world. Like I said, in my eyes I could already see his life path. I remember Abby coming into my study. She was about six months along, and her hormones were all over the place. I will never forget what she said to me that day. She sat across from me, all serious, and said if something happens to me, I want you to help Kade bring Matthew up. While I insisted nothing was going to happen to her, she wanted me to promise that her son would have the same upbringing as her. She wanted him to know how to roll a cigarette before he knew how to tie his shoelaces. She wanted him to have the club as a family. Just like they were to her. I promised her that day that nothing would happen to her or Matthew. I promised that she would be there to ensure it happened herself.” He paused, sighing. “Sadly, that wasn’t a promise I could keep, and for some cruel, unfair reason, the life we all saw for him was taken from him as quick as it was given. Then instead of joy, we were given grief. Losing a son, a grandson, a young boy is heartbreaking because on that day, we didn’t just lose a baby. We lost Matthew Kade Wilson, who was already family, not just to us but to the club too, because he was born a member and will rest as not only my grandson but a member of Satan’s Sons.” Dad placed a hand on the coffin. “Rest now, my grandson, because this world wasn’t ready for the madness you would have brought it.”

The funeral director had a basket of single black roses. Dad picked one up and placed it on the coffin that had the Satan’s Son logo painted on the front along with the detailed writing Matthew Kade Wilson across it.

Reaper stepped forward and took a rose. He froze at the side of the coffin. I wiped a tear from my cheek and walked to the funeral director, taking a rose before standing next to Reaper.

“Rest, my son,” Reaper spoke so softly and placed the rose on the coffin. He stepped back, leaving me standing there.

I placed the rose on top of Dad’s and Reaper’s. “I’m sorry,” I whispered and wiped the tears from my cheek.

If I was stronger. If I was healthier. If it hadn’t happened when I was alone. I just wished it ended differently.

I took a step back to stand next to Reaper. As the coffin started to lower, I took Reaper’s hand, and together we watched our son be lowered to his final resting place.

Reaper let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around me, resting his hand on my hip, and pulling me into his side.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he whispered in my ear while holding me close. I rested my head against his chest and watched as others took roses and dropped them in.

The only thing I could think of as I watched was Reaper would have made a great dad.

***

The day was exhausting and when I walked into the clubhouse, it was packed. The bikes outside were overflowing onto the streets. The wake was in full swing, all for my son. My eyes cut through the crowd and spotted Reaper, who was standing among members talking. He was clenching a beer and looked even more handsome with his black tee shirt clinging to his muscles and his leather vest over the top. His tattoos were on show for the world to see and like always, he looked just as scary.

His eyes darted up and locked with mine.

I had made my decision at my son’s grave, and now it was just a matter of fact of telling him what that decision was.

“You want a drink?” Kim pulled me away.

“Um, no I’m alright. I actually have something I need to do. So I’ll catch up with you later.”

I weaved my way through the crowd and smiled and thanked people as they spoke to me. Finally, I could see Reaper again. Slowly, I walked toward him with my heels clicking.

“Abby.” Andrew turned and spotted me. He stood next to Reaper.

“Hey, Andrew.”

“I was just telling Reaper how sorry I am about your little one.”

“Thank you.” I glanced at Reaper, who was taking a long drink of his beer. Keeping my eyes locked with his, I asked tentatively, “Um, Reaper, can I talk to you for a minute?”

He brought the beer down from his lips “I’ll be back, guys.” And he nodded his head to the side.

I followed behind him, feeling more nervous with every step. How was he going to react? How was he going to take it? I knew it was the right decision. I just didn’t know how he was going to take it.

He opened up his study door, and I walked in.

He closed it behind him and went and sat in his chair. There was silence between us. He ran his hands down the sides of his face and sighed.

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