Page 127 of Reaper

Tara pushes Daniela off of me while Jacob tries to subdue her, but whatever she’s done to me, it’s working fast.

I’m on the floor watching helplessly as Daniela pulls out a knife, driving it into Tara’s gut before a shot rings out, making Jacob fall to the floor.

Then he’s there.

“No…” I whisper sluggishly as the drugs start to fill my system.

“Time to come home, pet.”

My eyes fall closed as he hauls my unmoving body up. I hear a few more gunshots, but they fade as oblivion takes hold.

twenty-seven

“Natalie!”I roar as I rush inside of the clubhouse.

My feet start to go out from under me and I grab on to Wrath, pulling him down with me.

“Fuck! Tara!” he yells.

We push ourselves up and look down.

“No, no, no…” I start mumbling as I stare at the puddle of blood that we are sitting in and that’s coating my hands.

It’s not hers. It can’t be. My heartbeat is so loud I can hear it whooshing in my ears. My chest feels tight as I gasp for air. Not Natalie. Not my old lady. Anyone else, but not her. A wave of dizziness overtakes me and if I wasn’t already on the floor, I would be now.

Someone slaps me, pulling me out of the downward spiral. “Harrison Kingston, snap the fuck out of it!”

I look up at my baby sister. “When did you get here?”

“Just now. Trigger called to get me out here in case of injuries. Now are you good or do you need me to pull you out of it instead of saving Tara and Jacob?”

“Go,” I demand as I push myself up.

“Tara? Where is she? And who the fuck is that?” Wrath demands as he steps forward, ready to lay a motherfucker out.

“Back the fuck up right now, Wrath. That man is here to help me,” Evelyn snaps.

I watch my sister walk away from us. She grabs the man and pulls him along with her toward the basement.

Trigger rushes through the front door moments later.

“Sorry. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the system. I knew I wouldn’t make it in time.” He looks grim.

“You did the right thing, brother,” I reassure him.

“Reaper.” Trigger grips my shoulder. “We need to head in there.” He nods toward the chapel.

Wordlessly, Wrath, Colt, and I follow him and step inside.

I round the table and take my spot but stay standing.

I lean against the table and hang my head. “Say it.”

“He took her,” Trigger says, voicing my fears.

Everything feels like it’s moving too fast around me, and I can’t process it. It’s like I’m stuck in slow motion while everyone is moving at warped speed as they talk around me.

“Stop!” I demand. Everyone falls silent.

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