Page 10 of Reaper and Abby

“I wish. I’ve screwed up more times than that. And there is a shit load I’d take back.” He leans forward. “Reaper only killed Jake’s wife because of my orders. I wasn’t giving up on my Reaper just yet. I knew your death would be what got him back to where he belonged. But I didn’t foresee my reaction to your upcoming death, nor did I foresee my reaction to my grandchild. It was Tyson, and the thought of really losing you. That got me. Made me see clearly. Putting the club first, nearly cost me everything.” He put the cigar out. “ So I planted Billy. I always wanted that bastard killed. Then Reaper got my club, got my daughter, and I got”—he waved his hand around the empty house—“nothing but the guilt of always putting the club first and not my family.”

“I can’t be around your family. With everything I have done. So I pulled away slowly.” Tears filled in my fathers eyes and he never cried. “I never expect forgiveness.”

I could let this be the defining moment that I cut my father from my life or I could forgive. So I sat down on the coach, staring at my father. I was furious but Roach had done what any outlaw president would do. Excel the club's growth. Perhaps that was my real downfall. I could see the other side to his actions. So we just sat there in silence.

5

REAPER

I woke up early. Not hungover. But to an empty bed. I wasn’t sure what time Abby had gotten up. Truth was, I didn’t know her morning routine. I wandered downstairs, hearing the bickering of my children from the kitchen and Kim’s voice over it.

Walking into the room. Tyson, Hannah and Eve were having breakfast and Kim was making what looked like pancakes.

Her eyes flashed to me. “Lose all your shirts, did you, Reaper?” Kim rolled her eyes at me. Fuck. God forbid I’m not wearing a shirt in my own house. “Geez, I thought you and Abby weren’t going to surface at all this morning.” She dished up more pancakes on to a plate and walked to the table.

“What do you mean?” I asked Kim.

Abby was down here, wasn’t she?

Kim walked back to me. Wiping her hands on her apron. “I said, I thought you and Abby had gone on a sex bender after last night. God, that tension between you two last night was next level.” Kim said, away from the hearing distance of my kids. “Seriously, what happened with you two?” She frowned and then shook her head. “Doesn’t matter I guess, you both worked it out.”

Kim pulled a stool closer to the island and pushed a picture towards me. “You got that for her, right? I sent you a dozen messages about it.”

I frowned. “Wait, where’s Abby?” I questioned, not even glancing down at whatever she had shoved in front of me.

She rolled her eyes. “Where’s Abby? Yeah, good one Reaper. If you are as good as she leads me to believe she’s still in bed, shaking. Now,” And she slapped her hand down on the table. “You got this right?”

I was so fucking confused, I looked down at the piece of paper in front of me. It was a picture of a piece of jewelry. “No, I didn’t get her that. Why would I? Now stop with the mind game shit, and tell me where my wife is?”

Kim frowned and then Eve was at her side, tapping on Kim’s arm.

“Can I see mom now?”

Kim frowned, glancing from Eve to me. “I think your mom has gone to the store. How about you and Hannah go get that picture ready for her?” Kim flashed Eve a wide grin, but I knew she was thinking what I was thinking. Where the fuck was Abby.

Eve walked off and Kim got off the stool, giving me a shove, and we went into the second lounge room.

“So you’re telling me, you and Abby didn’t fuck like rabbits last night and you haven’t organized the one thing I’ve been telling you to do for the last two months?” She roasted me with rage. “For fuck’ sake Reaper! What has got into you! It’s like you don’t give a fuck about your family!”

“Fuck off Kim, I ain’t in the mood for a lecture.”

“Well, I’m not in the mood to have my sister crying on her presentation day! Because,” she shoved me in the chest, “She thinks her jerk of a husband cares more about outlaws than her!”

I opened my mouth.

“Don’t you get it Reaper!” She pointed her finger at me. “I need you to step up. Be the father you promised to be. The husband you vowed to be! Fuck, where is the man that went on a manhunt for his wife! Where is the man that loved hard?” Tears lined her eyes. “You can’t be the one to break her heart, Reaper, you hear that? So if you aren’t planning on being a fucking father and a real husband. Then leave her. So I can help her piece her life back together!”

Kim never cried, she just didn’t do emotions. I was so fucking thrown off by all this.

Kim’s expression dropped, shaking her head. “Well, if there is one thing that can not be argued on. It was Abby and I both picked weak men for husbands.” She looked me up and down. “Congratulations Reaper, you’re a great mother chapter president and fucking pathetic father and husband.”

With those words said, she shouldered past me. I reminded myself she was still recovering, and she clearly had her own issues. But her words fucking hurt more, because they were the truth. She was right. I was failing my family.

I stormed out of the room, following her. I turned, hearing the front door open.

Well, if it isn’t my missing wife.

“Where have you been?” I growled at her.

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