Page 36 of Fear the Reaper
Swede sighed. “We’re going to have to lure him out and you’re not going to like the idea.”
“Let’s hear it.” We shifted positions to get another look at the place, being careful to remain hidden by the trees.
“Use Star as bait.”
“You’re right. I don’t like the idea.”
The conversation ended then but I could I knew Swede wasn’t giving up on the idea. We hung around Heller’s place, getting as close as we could without being seen on the cameras. As far as we could figure, there were cameras and two armed guards. I supposed with the cameras, he didn’t need more than manpower.
Eventually, Swede and I made our way back to the truck.
“Sooner or later.” Swede held onto my arm to stop me. “You’re going to admit to yourself that at this point, Star means more to you than just a job.”
I said nothing. I shrugged from his grasp and climbed into the truck. We drove away from the ranch in silence. Using Star as bait was a bad idea. Usually, I would entertain the plan but with Star—how could I? This woman had seeped under my skin in the short time I’d known her and I just couldn’t get over that. Any number of things could go wrong.
“I didn’t expect this, you know?” I said. “But she’s unlike any woman I’ve ever met. How can I let her go?”
“No one in is asking you to. You’re the one making this more complicated than it needs to be. We’re asking you to trust us. Is that really so hard?”
“You don’t understand…”
“Reaper, I get those guys stabbed you in the back.” Swede’s voice was soft. “You’ve known this group for your entire career. Do you really think so little of us? Do you really think we’d ever leave you behind?”
I gritted my teeth, checked the mirrors and switched lanes to get around a slow moving tractor. “Don’t take it personal…”
“Damn right, I’m taking it personal.” Swede rubbed his throat before leaning in to level steely eyes on me. “Reaper, when we sayBrotherhoodthe name wasn’t chosen lightly. Brotherhood is precisely what we mean. It’s notwhen shit hits the fan we`ll leave you behindProtectors. Our lives are so intricately woven together and whether we want to admit it or not—whetheryouwant to admit it or not—this is a family, man. The women in our lives understands—they’ve rallied around us and they get we will always be there for each other. The world sucks enough.”
I sighed.
“Nova, is a good friend of mine,” Swede said. “There has never been a time when I’ve called her she hasn’t been there for me. I’m not about to let some dickhead hurt her—are you?”
“No.”
“Then trust us that we’ll protect her. She wants her life back, Reaper. You have the power to give that to her.”
I sighed.
“You have the power to give a lot of things to her.” Swede muttered.
“Ah! You were doing so good!” I couldn’t hide a chuckle.
Swede laughed then winked at me. “Relax a little, Grim. We’ve never let you down before and we’re not about to start now.”
“Got it.”
“Good.” Swede nodded. “Glad we had this talk.”
I grunted.
Nova “Star” Shuman
The plan,according to the guys, was to dangle me in front of Brian. When he took the bait, they somehow get him to talk then dangle him in front of Heller. Seems straightforward enough but from the looks of things, Reaper was not too impressed with the arrangement. I was still cross with him for leaving me behind, he hadn’t said a word to me since he and Swede returned.
I watched him play with Six and my heart melted.
Once the others left to gather what they would need—I suspect, more firepower—Reaper left the room with Six trotting after him. I waited, trying to figure out what my issue was. There was no mystery to why he’d done what he did. It wasn’t the end of the world—so why was I acting like such a petulant child?
Irritated with myself, I wandered the safe house until I located him in the bedroom. He was lounged back on the bed, laptop in his lap with Six settled between Reaper’s muscular thighs. When I entered, the dog lifted his head, I guess to make sure I wasn’t a threat, then lowered it again.
