Page 27 of Reaper & the Lioness
His dark eyes skimmed over my face and lingered a half-second too long on my mouth. “Have you ever even made a bad decision?”
I tilted my head, and the tension hung between us for a beat. “Sometimes I think I’d like to.”
Before he could respond, Rhetta burst through the crowd and hugged me tightly. “You did it, sugar. Thane is thrilled at how you packed this place.”
“I’m just glad it worked. We still have a lot of reputation repair ahead of us, though.”
“Come on. Let’s go to the bar around the corner to celebrate.”
She tugged me away as I watched Reaper disappear into the crowd.
Igripped my steering wheel as I searched for a parking spot. Rhetta had talked me into a late dinner at Ríonach, a sleek new fusion spot downtown, and she’d nabbed a reservation during a peak hour because a member owned the place.
I hated driving downtown. I could barely parallel park even in the most ideal spots. In addition, street parking was scarce this late as the bars and restaurants filled with the promise of a fun Saturday night.
The setting sun cast shadows across the road from the tall buildings as I drove past Ríonach and the dark parking garage beside it, turning down the side street to find a spot. I’d take the peace of mind and longer walk over the anxiety and memories that would flood me if I stepped foot inside a concrete prison.
Finally, I found an open space I could maneuver into without risking my paint job or my pride. The chirp of my Jeep’s lock cut through the humid evening air.
That’s when I noticed two men emerging from a dented pickup truck parked a few spots down the street.
The hairs on the back of my neck raised as I watched them stalk behind me through my peripheral vision. My heart rate spiked, and adrenaline flooded my system.
Feigning nonchalance, I thumbed a location pin to Rhetta. My pulse thrummed in time with the clicking heels of my platform stilettos—a fashion decision I cursed, knowing I couldn’t run in them.
Me: Think I’m being followed. If I’m MIA in 15, start here.
Rhetta: Hold tight. Thane is in a meeting, but I know some of the guys are nearby.
I reached into my purse to thumb the switchblade I almost always carried, though I knew it wouldn’t be adequate for a woman in heels against two attackers. I kicked myself for ignoring my dad’s suggestion that I carry a concealed weapon.
I quickened, watching the men close the distance between us through the reflection in car windows. Their shadows stretched long on the sidewalk. I crossed the street. Their boots scuffed the concrete as they matched my pace. Baseball caps pulled low obscured their faces in the storefront reflections.
I jumped as my phone rang.
“Hey, Rhetta! I’m just a few minutes away,” I said loudly, hoping to signal to my pursuers that someone was expecting me.
“How far are you from Main Street?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.
“Just about there.”
“Okay, listen for the bike. Thane is sending someone.”
I let out a shaky breath as I approached the intersection. Traffic had stopped, so I jogged across. “I’m on the other side of the street now. I hear bikes.”
“Good. Let whoever it is drive you the rest of the way here.”
Two Harleys pulled beside me as I hung up. Relief washed over me as Reaper dismounted, a welcome sight for once. He hit the kickstand and approached me, his eyes intense as they scanned my body for any signs of harm.
“Where are the guys who were following you?” he demanded, scanning the area.
I glanced over, pointing to the two men retreating to their truck at the sight of the Mavericks coming to my aid. He nodded to the other man, the pretty-boy blond with bright blue eyes I’d seen at the clubhouse. “Follow them, Hatchet,” he ordered. “Get their plate and send it to Linc.”
He straddled his bike. “Get on. Where am I taking you?”
“Ríonach.” I moved toward the bike, my legs shaky from the adrenaline. “I can walk the rest of the way now.”
He shook his head. “Prez’s orders were to give you a ride. So get on. Why the fuck did you park all the way out here? There’s a garage across the street.”
