Page 100 of Reaper

“He’d be an idiot not to.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“No, but I trust my gut and my gut says you are a good one. What about family?”

“I had no one until him. His family is slowly becoming mine, but I’m hesitant.”

She gives me a knowing look. “You’re a little ball of trauma, aren’t you? You’re scared that this is too good to be true. Don’t push him away because you’re afraid. Embrace it. It might end up being the best thing to ever happen to you.”

“You sound like you speak from experience.”

“I do. That man right there, we went through hell together, but we made it out in one piece.”

“I’m glad. Are you racing tonight?”

She nods. “We take turns. Tonight is mine.”

“I’ll root for you then.”

“You could race with me. Roman would let you ride bitch.”

“Absolutely not. She doesn’t leave my sight,” Harrison cuts in.

I frown at him. “It sounds like fun.”

He gives me an apologetic look. “Don’t forget why we are here, baby girl. I’d love to let you, but tonight isn’t a good night.”

“You causing trouble?” Roman asks.

Harrison shakes his head. “Keeping an eye out for it, not causing.”

They study each other before Roman speaks. “Fair enough. Next time. We try to come up every few months.”

“Give me your number,” Roxy says.

I shrug. “I don’t have a cell phone. I don’t really have anyone to call.”

“Shit, I keep meaning to get you your own phone,” Harrison tells me. “Here, you can use mine as your own until I get you one. I promise I’ll get you one as soon as I can.”

He seems so apologetic, but I don’t know why. I don’t even need a phone.

“It’s fine. You’re the only one I would call really.”

Roxy smiles at us. “Here.”

She pulls out an old receipt. Turning it over, she writes her number with a pen her boyfriend somehow produced. Then she hands the receipt over to me.

“Call me anytime. It was great to meet you, Natalie. You are a delight.”

I smile at her. “Thank you. You too.”

As they head off, I let myself sink back into Harrison’s arms.

“I meant what I said. I will get you a phone. I’ve just been busy. I’m not trying to cut you off from anyone.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I love that you are so concerned about it, but I meant what I said. I don’t even need one. Jacob is always at the clubhouse, and I know if I ask him or any of the others, they would let me use theirs. I don’t feel trapped, so you can stop feeling guilty.”

He kisses the side of my neck. “I’m going to feel guilty because you deserve to be treated better. I’m going to do everything I can to live up to what you deserve.”

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