Page 11 of Reaping Havoc
“Are you gonna throw water balloons at Uncle Noah?”
“Yep.”
Both boys began tugging on my cut. I knew what they were going to ask. “You want to help?”
Two squeals of joy erupted from their little mouths.
Chrome placed his empty coffee mug on the porch railing and stepped toward the stairs—time to move.
“Let’s go. Stay quiet and low. Just like we practiced.”
I slowly opened the door, and the boys crept behind me, sinking low as I shut the door. I pushed the bucket of water balloons outside when I got up before Chrome exited his house. He wouldn’t expect me to ambush him with two little helpers.
Excellent Reapers in training, my Reaper informed me.
I snorted. “Not yet.”
“Yes,” he growled, taking control of my voice, so I said the words aloud. “Good little Reapers.”
Frowning, I shoved on him, but he persisted, lifting his fist to bump each one of the boys like I hadn’t just had an internal battle of wills.
“Hi, Scythe,” the boys greeted him in unison.
I finally succeeded in pushing the Reaper’s presence back, annoyed that he liked to fuck with me. He knew it irritated me when he fought for control... and won. Asshole.
His dark chuckle filled my head.
Once, quite a few years ago, Nylah asked me if I ever thought about how it looked to talk to the Reaper out loud, since it might appear to those who didn’t know me that I had split personalities—never bothered me any. People could think whatever the fuck they wanted. Besides, every brother in the club experienced something similar. We could all relate since each of us had bull-headed demons inside us.
Nothing about the Tonopah GBMC was normal.
I gestured to the full bucket outside the door, and each of the boys picked up a balloon. I gathered about five in my arms and stayed crouched, inching forward until I reached the end of the deck. Staying out of view, I nearly snickered when I saw Chrome polishing his bike in the Nevada sunshine. Oh, he wasn’t going to like getting his clothes and his baby dirty.
I glanced at the boys. “Ready?”
Gavin nodded. Gage bit his lip to keep from giggling.
I swear, they seemed older than three sometimes.
“Now!”
We all popped up and began tossing the balloons, pelting Chrome and his Harley as he shouted, “Hey!”
The boys screeched and ran back to the tub, picking up more balloons and tossing them at their uncle. They hit the target with surprising ease and accuracy. Of course, it wasn’t far. As my brother moved in our direction, the distance quickly shortened.
Chrome charged toward us with dripping hair and big wet spots on his clothing. I chortled with glee as he entered our yard and the boys picked up more balloons. “Ian,” he warned.
“Boys, put them back,” I ordered. “We got him!”
Gavin and Gage whooped for joy and then rushed their uncle. “We got you! We got you, Uncle Noah!”
Since the boys couldn’t quite say it right, it sounded more likeuhn-ka.
Chrome laughed as he gathered the twins into his arms and shook the water from his hair. Little droplets landed on Gavin and Gage’s faces as they squirmed. “I love you boys.”
They didn’t hesitate to say it back.
My heart warmed as I saw their interaction, grateful to have him back in my life after all these years we spent apart. He thought we didn’t want him. We didn’t know he was alive. That fucking doctor’s lies cost our family too much, but it was the black market and the Russians that devised the plan to steal Boone’s child. Who knows what would have happened to my brother if the doctor hadn’t grown a conscience?
