Page 169 of Reaper's Rival

Because the party was still going, there was a lot of other people around when Reaper got on his bike to leave. Everyone knew he was going out on club business, and the fact that he was going to do it the day after his wedding meant it must be important business. They just didn’t know that my husband was being sent out to end another life.

How did I feel about it?

I didn’t know.

It still didn’t sit well with me, even though I knew there was no other option.

Brad was standing next to me as I rocked on my heels, watching Reaper strap his bag down. I glanced down at the ring on my finger. That was his promise to me that he would be back. That was his promise that for the rest of his life, he would love me. I looked up, seeing the ‘Abby’ on his neck. There weren't many other ways he could dedicate himself to me.

He straddled his bike, and I felt like every pair of eyes in the lot were on me. Dad’s eyes were the ones I was most aware of. He was waiting for me to crack.

In some ways, this felt like the first time Reaper rolled out of town on me when I was sixteen. Though this time he was rolling out a married man. Married to me.

I walked barefooted to him.

“You ok?” His eyes were studying me as he buckled up his helmet.

I nodded my head and then grabbed his arm that was holding the bike's handlebar.

“Call me when you arrive.” I kissed him quickly on the cheek.

“This is only temporary, Abby. I promise.” He gave me a half smile and then kicked his bike to life. The roar of the engine was mean and loud, dominating the air. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks,” he yelled over the engine.

I stepped away from him and just like that, he took off. I waited till he was out the gate before I let the tears flow, pulling my sunglasses down to cover my eyes.

I guess I was on my own again. I looked at the club; Dad was still watching me. I guess I wasn’t totally on my own. Kade had left me with my family.

Chapter 50

Abby

Lonely. There is something to be said about being lonely. You can be in a room full of people but still feel like you are alone. This was me. The club was larger than life. Still, I felt like I was by myself. Kim was making more of an effort to be around, and even Dad was having the oddly forced conversation with me, but I still felt alone.

Because every night, I went to an empty bedroom. And every night, I hoped Reaper would call me. But he never did. I got a text message he was there and safe two weeks ago. Since then, nothing.

I stared down at my wedding ring. It promised so much when really, all it was doing was giving me empty hopes.

I picked up my bag and locked my door.

This morning, I had an ultrasound. It was one more thing I would be doing by myself. I knew if things were right, Reaper would be there playing the proud dad. But my luck just wasn’t that great. Instead, he was on a mission to kill someone, and I was about to get freaked out that something was growing inside me again.

Last time it happened, things didn’t go to plan, and this time I was going to be extra careful.

I couldn’t lose two babies.

Surely my fate wasn’t that bad.

“Morning, sunshine.” Brad was at the dining table with Dad and a few other members.

“Morning, guys.” I gave them a half wave. Small talk was another thing I was losing my touch with.

I headed for the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Brad was up and walking towards me.

“Doctor. I have an ultrasound.” I searched for my car keys in my bag.

“And I’ll be taking you.”

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