Page 117 of Reaper

I’m lost in the kiss, forgetting what the point of it even was when I feel cool liquid pouring down my back.

I gasp, turning to find Daniela behind me, an empty pitcher of beer in her hand.

“Ooops. My bad.” She gives the fakest smile.

“Daniela, what the fuck!” Evelyn growls as she steps forward.

I place the back of my hand on her chest, holding her back. “Stop. I got this.”

Evelyn reluctantly nods and does as I asked.

The crowd around us grows quiet, giving the rest of the room the cue to hush as well.

I take a deep breath when what I really want to do is punch the bitch.

“Clean this up. Now,” I tell her, pointing at the floor.

She snorts. “No. I have to go get another one for the guys in the corner.”

She goes to turn away, but I grip her arm.

“You are going to clean up this mess right this fucking second. Not only that, but you are going to give me your shirt since you ruined mine,” I demand, keeping my tone hard.

Harrison’s hand on my lower back steadies me. He’s giving me the courage to stand up for myself. Something I haven’t done in so long.

“Don’t touch me,” Daniela snarls.

I know Harrison wants to step in. I can feel the tension in his body. He doesn’t though. He lets me handle it, showing me that I have power if I just take it.

Reaching out, I grip Daniela by the hair and pull until she falls to her knees. She screeches, trying to claw at me, but she can’t get a good grip on me since my arms are covered in beer.

“I’ve let you have your little territorial attitude because I didn’t want to make you an enemy, but it seems you are too stupid to realize that you never had any to begin with. You are nothing but a sweetbutt, not that anything is wrong with that. The problem is you don’t know your place. Now clean up the fucking mess you made and give me your goddamn shirt,” I demand.

She claws out, her nails digging into my jeans. I hiss, kicking out at her in reflex. She falls onto her back but jumps to her feet quickly. When she flings herself at me, I don’t hesitate. I let my body lead me as I punch her in her face. She hisses, trying to throw her own punch. Before she can, Wrath appears behind her, grabbing her.

I try to go at her again, but Harrison grabs me, whispering in my ear.

“You have the whole room’s attention. Claim me, baby.”

I glance around before raising my voice. “Reaper is mine. If I catch a single one of you trying to hit on him or get him to step out on me, I will make sure no one can recognize your face before I kick you out onto your ass. You don’t have to like me, but you will show me respect. In turn, I will show you the same respect. As for you, Daniela, you’ve overstayed your welcome. I think it’s best you head on out and find a new place for your negative energy.”

She gets out of Wrath’s hold only to tear her shirt off, throwing it at me. I let it hit me and fall to the floor. It’s soaked with beer at this point too.

Then she looks up to Harrison.

“You’re really going to let this bitch walk in off the street with some sob story about an abusive ex and change the way we do things? You’re giving up this for that?” She indicates her tits that are now bare on display for everyone. “You would disrespect my father that way?”

Harrison pushes me behind him as he steps up to her. “You chose to be a sweetbutt. You had offer after offer to be an old lady, but you refused. All because you met me once when you were a kid and dreamed up this whole life that was never going to happen. I’ve already called your father. He doesn’t want you to come back. His exact words were, ‘Tell that girl she’s her mother’s daughter and I have no room for whores who would ruin a happy home in my outfit.’ So I suggest you pack up your shit and get to stepping.”

Daniela looks shocked. Then her eyes tear as she takes a step forward, attempting to touch Harrison. I’m between them before she can, making her tears dry up quickly.

“Take your trashy style and shitty attitude and go.”

“You’re going to regret this,” she hisses as she takes off.

I scan the room and see respect shining in everyone’s eyes.

“Show’s over!” I yell out.