Page 73 of Reaper & the Lioness
She leaned into my touch, but her expression told me she was unconvinced. “I understand there are things you can’t tell me, but … is this dangerous? Really dangerous?”
I hesitated. I felt torn between my instinct to protect her from worry and my growing desire to be honest. “There’s always an element of risk. But we’re prepared. I personally planned this operation.”
“Just … come back to me, okay? In one piece. No new holes, please.”
I kissed her, trying to convey everything I couldn’t say in words. “I always do, my Lioness. I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up.”
As I headed for the door, I could sense Eva’s eyes on me. The weight of her concern crept into an unfamiliar, almost uncomfortable territory. I’d never considered how my actions might affect someone else before.
I paused at the threshold and glanced back at her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Be safe.”
As I closed the door behind me, I couldn’t shake I’d left too much unsaid. But the mission demanded my full focus. I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
We arrived at the Rangers’ clubhouse outside of Austin an hour earlier than they expected.
Our intel proved accurate, and we breached the perimeter with ease. Each man moved with practiced stealth, and our boots barely sounded on the gravel as we approached.
A sense of déjà vu washed over me as we moved toward the clubhouse. It reminded me of leading high-stakes military operations in Fallujah—except there was more freedom and fewer rules of engagement. The familiar adrenaline rush coursed through my veins and sharpened my senses.
I nodded to Hatchet when we reached the main building. He ignited the charges where we’d planned, his hands steady and sure. The controlled explosion sent vibrations through the ground, creating the distraction we needed as we breached the door.
It splintered under our assault. Wood fragments flew through the air as we burst inside. Hickok and Poe stood frozen in shock at the unexpected assault.
“This ends now,” I growled with my gun trained on Hickok’s president patch. “Your dealers stay out of Houston, and the attacks on the Mavericks stop. We’ll forgive your club for attempting to hijack a load of weapons, but only because your men already paid in blood for that mistake. Tonight, I’m giving you three options: keep your drugs out of Houston, patch over, or die.”
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. Hickock’s eyes narrowed, and a sneer twisted his features.
“You think you can come in here and dictate terms? Fuck you, and fuck Houston. We’ll ride and deal wherever we damn well please.”
His hand blurred as he reached for his weapon. Time slowed, and I reacted on instinct as I squeezed the trigger. Two shots in rapid succession.
But Hickock moved faster than I anticipated. Another sharp crack split the air, and a searing pain exploded in my thigh. The bastard had gotten a shot off, too.
Hickock stumbled backward with his eyes wide open in shock as he realized I’d hit him square in the chest. He gaspedin one last breath before his lifeless body slid down the wall, leaving a crimson smear in his wake.
Poe stood with his arms crossed. He raised brow at Merrick, Thane, and Hatchet, who all had their weapons trained on his chest.
“Jesus Christ,” Poe said, glancing between his fallen president and me. “Looks like I just got a promotion.”
“Congratu-fucking-lations,” I growled.
“Listen, I never wanted any of this. Hickok had it in his head that we needed to expand our territory. I never agreed. A patchover would be more fight than it’s worth, so you have my word. The Rangers will stay out of Houston. I’d like to call a truce.”
I ground my teeth as I breathed through the searing pain and kept my Glock steadily aimed at his chest. “See that you do. There won’t be options next time. Just consequences.”
Poe nodded once, keeping steady as we backed out of the room. He may have just agreed to peace, but I wouldn’t give him the opportunity to shoot me in the back.
As we stepped out of the clubhouse, the cool evening air did little to ease the burning in my thigh.
Merrick’s gaze flicked to my leg. “You good?”
I grunted and leaned against my bike for support. “It’s not bad. Through and through.”
Hatchet approached with a smirk as he took in the sight of the blood seeping through my jeans. “We should patch you up before we ride. I don’t need you splattering blood all over my bike. I have a date when we get back.”
“I’d hate to inconvenience you.”
