Page 75 of Reaper's Rival

“I’ve only ever loved one man like that, and you know who that is.”

“Yeah, I saw the ink on your shoulder. But if you don’t love this bloke, why are you with him?”

I could tell Drake the truth. Have one person to know the real reason behind why I was with Daniels. Have one person know I wasn’t with Daniels out of love but out of commitment. Suddenly, I didn’t want to just tell him, I needed too.

“If I tell you, you can’t tell Reaper or Kim or Dad. No one.” Would I regret this? Or get some relief from knowing one person didn’t think I was out of my mind?

He nodded his head and I took a deep breath in. I could trust Drake. I knew that. So I found myself explaining the situation, starting with when Daniels came to me at the hospital.

***

We pulled into the clubhouse. It was late and I still had to get changed. Daniels would be here soon to pick me up.

“So you really don’t love this guy?” Drake said, not turning the car off.

“Nope, but I don’t hate him. He is just doing his job, and he is good at it really. The gang was never more controlled, not even when Damon was leading it.” I ran a hand through my hair, thinking how much I needed a shower.

But really, I was feeling so much more relaxed having one person know the truth. I turned to look at Drake.

“You think I’m weak, don’t you?”

“No. You’re doing this for your dad. You are putting family first. I just don’t like the idea of you running around killing people. How are you getting away with it? It’s been all over the news. I haven’t even been in your town and I know about the killings. They think a serious hit-man is behind it.” Drake looked at me, shaking his head. “If Kade had any idea that they are blackmailing you, he would make sure to get arrested to get in prison to kill Blake.”

My eyes went wide. “You can’t tell him. You promised.”

“I’m not going to tell him.” He took my hand. “But I am going to help you get out of this.”

A tear slid down my cheek. “I can’t get out of it. The only way is to finish the list. Which I’m close to doing. Have another one tonight.” The fact I was going to kill someone tonight should scare me. Hell, it would scare the old Abby. But when you are pushed to the breaking point and it comes down to their life or yours, well, it’s easy to pull the trigger.

“You should be more worried about getting caught for this shit, Abby. You would be looking at the death penalty.”

“I know. Which is why I’m giving the baby up.” I knew this would all come around and come back in my face. I was on borrowed time. “You asked me why I’m doing it. There is the reason. I’m not fit to be a mother.” I wiped a tear off my cheek. “Look at me. I’m running around with a gang member, killing people! How can I even consider being a mother? If Kade knew, he wouldn’t be fighting me on it.”

Drake’s hands cupped my face, and he brought my face close to his. “He’d understand, and he’d do everything in his power to stop it. This kid is a gift, Abby, and you are going to be a perfect mother. Look what you are willing to do for your own father. I can only imagine what you would do for your own kid. So don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up on this kid.”

“What if all I’m doing is hurting he or she? I’m killing people, Drake. Every weekend there is a new hit. What if I don’t get it done on time? What if I’m still killing people till I go into labor?”

“How many more people do you have to go?”

“Last time I checked, two or three. But Daniels doesn’t like telling me.”

“We’ll get a number. You are meeting him tonight, right?”

I nodded my head. Wait a sec. “What do you mean we?”

“I’m not leaving till this is sorted. Not till you are free from being blackmailed,” Drake said, so determined. “Now we should really get out because Reaper is glaring at me. Most likely for touching you.” Drake’s eyes flashed to my lips. “Plus it looks like I’m about to kiss you.”

“Well, he should know that wouldn’t happen. You and I never did kiss. We fucked and fought.” I smiled, taking his hands off my face. “Did he ask you to come?”

“Maybe.” Drake winked at me and turned the car off. “Wipe those tears away. If he even thinks I made you cry, I’ll be getting a black eye.”

“I don’t know why he still is so protective of me. Hell, he thinks I’m dating someone else.”

“He isn’t going to give up on you that easy. The man loves you.”

“If he knew what I was capable of. I doubt that love would stay.” I had been thinking lately. If Kade did love me. He loved the old me. The one that would be nervous around him. The one that wasn’t sure of herself. The one that would be filled with terror at the thought of killing someone. The one that spent hours drawing and painting. Not the one that was now considered a professional hit-woman. That filled newspaper titles and headlines.

I was a different woman.

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