Page 200 of Reaper
A moment later, a woman’s picture appears next to the map. From the looks of it, it’s from her driver’s license. She has long red hair; blue, almost green eyes; and just from the way she holds herself, I can tell she’s got a sassy personality. Nearby, I hear someone suck in a breath but I’m not sure who. Does someone know her?
Looking around, I notice Devil seems frozen in place as he stares up at the screen and I’m surprised when I see him silently saying her name. His jaw clenches and he fists and unfists his hands several times. Huh. Does he know Sara? I turn to look at Anthony and tilt my head slightly toward Devil while raising an eyebrow in question. He looks over at him and frowns before turning back to me, slightly dipping his chin, silently telling me he’s noticed as well. Oblivious to what’s going on, Python continues.
“Sara’s a graphic designer who works from home. She’s married to Daniel Wild. I don’t think things are happy in the Wild household though, because Sara’s been in and out of the ER multiple times in the three months since they’ve been married.”
Devil’s face pales slightly but then his eyes take on a hard edge as he continues clenching his jaw, the muscle in his cheek ticking from the force.
Smoke taps on his keyboard and the image on the screen changes to show mugshots of two of my kidnappers.
“From the pictures Drake sent us of the two guys he was following, we believe the driver’s name is Dane Brown and the passenger’s name is Justin Jones. Looking further into this, Sara and Justin are half-siblings.
“When Dane pulled into Sara’s driveway, Drake drove further down the street and turned the corner before parking his truck and hoofing it back just in time to see a second SUV pull into the driveway. The two new men got out of that car and he managed to snap a picture of both of them as well. Nothing’s come up yet about their identities, but the system is still working on it.
“Anyway, Justin unlocked the front door and a moment later, Drake heard something crash against the floor just as a woman screamed. He snuck around back and was able to see inside from the patio door. A woman was laying on the floor, clutching her bloody cheek as she struggled to get back up. Around her were shards of porcelain. From Drake’s description, we confirmed the woman is Sara.
“Justin was standing over Sara, yelling and kicking at her, saying she has no right to yell at him for coming into her house in the middle of the night. That he can come and go as he pleases and that she needs to learn her place.” Python pauses, his lip curling. “As he was observing the situation, Dracke was able to hear part of Sara’s reply. Justin wasn’t even supposed to have a key to the house. Seems there is bad water between the half-siblings.”
Huh. It’s winter, so how is Drake able to hear their conversations so well? You’d think most people wouldn’t have their doors or windows cracked open in the dead of night.
“Does Drake currently have eyes on her? Justin or the others haven’t hurt her worse, have they?” Devil asks, his voice hard and curt.
More than one of us look at Devil in question and Anthony frowns.
“Do you know her?” he asks him.
Their gazes lock and I’m not sure if they’re having a silent conversation or if they’re just staring each other down. Devil’s nostrils flare and his eyes blaze with anger. For a moment Ithink he’s not going to answer when he finally gives a curt nod but gives no other information. However, from the look Anthony gives him, I think they’ll be having a little chat after we’re done with Church.
“Drake said he slapped her one other time. He thinks it was about booze because she kept pointing out to the garage and yelling that she doesn’t allow booze to be kept in her kitchen. One of the other guys left and a moment later came back with beer for everyone. Justin started yelling at her again, this time to make food. She told him he could make himself a sandwich because she had work to do. Then she stormed out of the kitchen and into another room on the main floor. Drake was able to look in on her and saw that she was shaken up from everything, but otherwise okay.”
“How is Drake able to hear their conversations so well?” I ask, still curious on that bit.
“Drake said her office is on the other side of the kitchen wall and since her office window was cracked open, he was able to hear everything,” Smoke replies and I nod.
Anthony rasps his knuckles on the table, but before he can speak, Python’s computer pings and a moment later, the images on the screen changes to the two others that kidnapped me.
“Sorry, Reaper, but the other two IDs just came through—Alvin Crawley and Ryan Stockley.”
Anthony turns toward me and I nod.
“It’s them. Alvin was the one sitting in the front passenger seat and Ryan is the one that drugged me.”
He turns back toward everyone else and nods. “I need two groups of volunteers—one to head north after Nathan and Zac and the other to head south toward Drake. I’m heading north myself.”
My stomach churns but then again, I already knew that’s what he would decide.
“I’ll head south,” Devil replies, and I don’t think any of us are the least bit surprised.
In the end, Anthony, Punisher, Loki, Gunner, Axe, and Patch volunteered to head north while Devil, Odin, Beast, Smithy, Timber, and Doc are heading south. That left Razor, Ryder, Smoke, Python, Cannon and Atlas remaining here at the clubhouse. Well, along with Mama Astrid and me that is, but I don’t think the guys intended to take either of us this time. Besides, as much as I want to go, I’m also needed here at the tavern and supper club. I’ve had to take a lot of time off because of everything Zac has been pulling, and I can’t expect my employees to continue to pick up my slack much longer.
“Alright, for those heading out, ride safe, stay in touch, keep your head on a swivel, and make sure each and every one of you comes back alive. For the rest of you, keep on your guard. We don’t know if Zac or Richard have anyone else working for them, so they could try to hit here while we’re spread thin.” He pauses and looks over at me. “Darlin’, get as many of your shifts covered as you can. If you have to head in, then take at least one brother with you.”
“I will. I know of at least two shifts that I’ll for sure have to head into the tavern this upcoming week, but I’ll see about the rest and let you know.”
“Alright, Devil hold back, the rest of you, either suit up or get some shut eye,” he says before banging his gavel on the table.
I walk over to him and he pulls me into his arms.
“Need you to stay safe, Hercules,” I whisper to him and he leans down, giving me a searing kiss that ends way too soon. I clench my thighs as need courses through me, and he smirks down at me, noticing the movement. Clearing my throat, I push my lusty thoughts aside. “If she’s up for it, Mama Astrid and I will make sure one of the townhouses is set up just in case thingsgo south and Sara needs our protection. I’d rather be ready than scrambling around at the last minute.”
