Page 164 of Reaper's Rival

Brad sighed and handed me the keys. “Just call her.”

I had already turned my back and went to leave as he said it. Yeah, I could call her, but I know her, and she would be dodging my calls. The parking lot was full. Fuck, with the wedding tomorrow, news had traveled. If I didn’t track Abby down and get her off my bike, there might not be a wedding.

Abby

I pushed open the double doors to the Sharks Pub and like always, it was dimly lit. I scanned the room and then I found him, sitting in a booth by himself.

“So do you want to tell me why you're letting my dickhead of a boyfriend run your club?” My hands were on my hip, and I was direct.

Dad looked up from his empty glass and sighed. “Getting too old for drama.”

“Come on, Dad, this isn’t like you. What does Reaper have over you for you to take a back seat in this?”

My whole life, I knew my dad as two things, strong and direct. He didn’t let anyone push him around, and he sure as fuck didn’t let anyone run his club. He was the boss, and that was just how it was.

Dad laughed dryly. “Easy answer there, sweetheart. You.”

“Me?” My eyebrows shot up. “How?”

“This kid that has you on the hit list. I’m too old to be chasing him down. Reaper made some good points.”

“He is stubborn, and never in my life have I heard him make a good point. His points always have a reason behind them.”

“And this time, that reason made sense.”

“What is it then?”

Dad looked me squarely in the eye. “Who would look after you and the kid if something happened to him? He admits it is a suicide mission, and me being on it just buys a ticket to my early death. And then we have to think about you. You still need a father. So I’ll give up my club any day if it means I’m still here for you.”

Why was everyone so sure they wouldn’t come back from this? Did they all know something I didn’t? Wouldn’t surprise me if they did. Kade kept me in the dark about a lot of things, for my safety of course.

“Well, they're done now. Come back to the club with me.”

I couldn’t be angry with Dad for not wanting to leave me. But I could be angry with Reaper for putting us all in this situation.

“Yeah, I should head back in.” Dad staggered up. “Might call a taxi, though.”

“Yeah, I should most likely catch one with you.”

Dad frowned. “Why? How did you get here?”

“Um well, I kind of. Well, not kind of. I did. Well, I took Reaper’s bike.” I looked down at the ground.

“ABBY! Are you fucking stupid?”

I cringed. This was nothing compared to what I was going to cop off Reaper.

“I know.”

“Stupid girl.” Dad held the bar doors for me. “Reaper’s going to be on a fucking warpath.”

“He might not know.” God, I was hoping.

Dad gave me a serious expression. “He’ll know, and he will be looking for you. You better call him.”

“Do I have to?” I groaned.

“Yes, and while you do that, I’ll call for Brad to come collect our bikes.”