Page 70 of Reaper's Rival

Yell at me?

My heart was pumping so fast you would think I just killed someone, not debating whether to answer a phone call or not.

I closed my eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and answered.

“Abby?”

“Hey.” I suddenly felt extremely nervous. How could I threaten that cop without my voice even wavering, but I say one word to Reaper and I sound completely breathless and unstable?

“Are you ok?” He sounded wide awake, like he had been waiting to call me all night.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What happened this afternoon?”

I sighed. That. “Let’s just say I’m convincing with a gun in my hand.”

“You threatened him?” He didn’t sound pleased. He actually sounded really pissed off.

“Don’t sound so surprised. What did you expect me to do? Let him arrest me?”

“You shouldn’t have been in that position. I told you not to take those guns. I should have stopped you. I should have-”

“Reaper, stop.” I groaned. “It’s not your fault. You aren’t my keeper. I’m the one dating a leader of a gang, and I’m the one who decided to go on this run today. So just stop.” The last thing I wanted was him bashing himself up about something that wouldn’t change. Something I chose to do as well.

“I want you to break up with him. It isn’t safe, Abby.” He was speaking calmly, but I knew if I could see him, he would be the type of deadly calm. The calm he had before he had a full rage attack.

“I told you. I can’t do that.” If he knew the situation, then maybe he would get off my back? But I couldn’t tell him. That was my problem.

“Tell me why.” He sounded even more determined than this morning.

“I can’t do that either.”

He groaned and then went silent. All I could hear was his heavy breathing. Why didn’t he just hang up? This was a pointless conversation. Hell, it wasn’t even a conversation!

“How you feeling?” He changed the subject and I was taken back by it.

“Um ok.” I lied.

“How about you try again, and this time put some effort into your lie.” He caught me out. Of course he knew when I was lying.

“I’m tired. And I’m sore. And I can’t sleep.” I moaned, letting my head fall back against the pillow and telling him the truth. “I just want to be home.” I didn’t want to be in this motel room. I didn’t want to be hours away from my home.

“Do you want me to come get you?” He was speaking like he would drive the five hours here just for me.

I laughed. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“How far away are you?”

“At least five hours.”

“I’d drive farther for you.”

Sweet. So incredibly sweet. Did he know how sweet he was? “You’re too kind to me, Kade.”

“I hate the thought of you and my baby uncomfortable. Even if it is just for a night.”

“I’ll be ok.” I blew into the phone, even though his words were making me feel incredibly loved. My hand went over my stomach. “I think this baby of yours is growing.” I felt bigger even though I know I looked the same this morning. But I felt ten times bigger.

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