Page 72 of Reaper's Rival

“I nearly brought heat on the club. I’m expecting him to react as a President who just had a club threat than a Dad.”

The air-conditioning whipped around my body. I was used to the heat and no air-conditioning in the van; it was really welcoming once I felt it.

I scanned the bar looking for Dad. A few members I didn’t know, Reaper, Drake, Kim, Trigger, Cameron… wait a minute.

“DRAKE!” My eyes went wide with delight and I ran across the bar, forgetting about the doom that was meant to be coming my way. I threw my arms around his neck.

He caught me, laughing. “Now that’s the kind of welcome a guy could get used to.” His arms wrapped around me tighter.

“God, it’s been too long! Why are you here?” I pulled back, not being able to wipe the grin off my face. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.” I shoved his shoulder. As much as I loved his surprise visit, I would have loved it more if I knew he was coming. Would have given me something to look forward to.

“I wanted to see my brother and,” his hand went on my stomach, “my niece or nephew.”

“So I didn’t make the cut then?” I was still grinning like an idiot. I had missed my friend.

“How are you, Abby?” His hand was still on my stomach.

“Good,” I lied.

“You look tired.” He knew me nearly as well as his brother did. “Must be exhausting carrying this little bugger around.”

“Trust me, it’s not the baby stopping me from sleeping.” Or maybe it was? I didn’t know. All I knew was my mind wouldn’t shut off. “How long you in town for?”

“A while.” He took his hand off my stomach and picked up his beer. “You eaten? Want to go get some lunch?”

“I’d love to.” I looked over my shoulder. “I have to deal with Dad’s lecture first. But after that, I’d love to get out of here.”

My eyes glanced to Reaper. Why did he look so calm? Then as if on cue, the boardroom doors burst open and I could hear his heavy footsteps coming at me.

“Like I said, I have to deal with Dad first.” I turned around, putting on a brave face. “Ok Dad, get it over with.”

From his clenched fists to his red face. I knew I was in for a good one. But this time I didn’t have the energy to give it back to him.

Reaper

He first started laying into her about how she put the club at risk. Went on and on about how she was getting the club into trouble. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes because if anyone was bringing heat on the club, it was him, always ripping off bikes and getting us to rebirth them.

He then yelled at her for her lack of thinking, saying she was incapable of making a clear decision because she was pregnant. So far Abby just shrugged her shoulders. Didn’t say anything back. Just stood there as he attacked her.

Abby looked too exhausted to even be fighting. So she simply wasn’t. She was just letting her old man get it off his chest.

It wasn’t easy for me to just stand back and let him abuse her. If she didn’t want to stand up to him, I would. I had somehow moved closer to her as their argument went on. Even the other members in the pub, all knowing what it was like to be on the end of one of Roach’s sprays, were looking at Abby with pity.

But she was just taking it. Didn’t say a fucking word. I don’t know what was worse, watching her get abused or the fact she was just taking it.

“AND THAT BOYFRIEND!!! CONSIDER IT OVER!” Roach roared down at her. “THIS WAS IT, ABBY! HE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU!”

She sighed. “I’m not breaking up with him.” Finally, she said something, but I didn’t like the fact it was sticking up for her boyfriend. “I told you this, Dad. Nothing will make me break up with him.”

“HE IS USING YOU!”

“Did you ever think maybe I’m the one using him?” Abby put her hand on her hip. “Believe it or not, but I’m not a blonde, stupid girl.”

“Don’t even act like you are smarter than him! You are the one risking your life delivering guns for a gang that tried to kill you!”

“If you want someone to blame for this situation, blame yourself! Now I told you I’m with him for a reason, and you just have to drop it! I’m not a member. I don’t have to put up with your shit. So I can easily move out of here and move in with him. So. Stop. Yelling. At. Me!” She pushed him back out of her face.

The Abby I knew was showing her face, but as soon as her hands pushed him backward, he was more furious. Maybe because she reminded him he had no control over her. Or threatening to move out. Like I was going to let that happen. He was frustrated with her. He lived for control. I saw it coming before he even pulled back his hand.

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