Page 19 of Reaper

Reluctantly I follow him just to get away from the she-devil.

The woman sneers at me as Jacob leads me away from them into another room.

That’s when I see it. A plate filled with bacon and eggs.

“I can heat it up for you if you want. I don’t cook well, and Honk’s old lady had to get to work. She waited as long as she could for you.”

I nod. “It’s fine as is. Is this all for me?”

“Yep. Pres said you’d be due for another round of painkillers too. Do you want water or juice? I could get you a Coke, but he said to make sure you hydrate.”

I quirk a brow. “Orange juice is fine if you have it. Do you always do what he says?”

He smiles as he moves to get the juice. “Of course. He’s the boss around here. Keeps all the men in line and takes care of us. If you are going to be part of the club, you have to do as he says.”

I swallow hard. “I don’t think I’m meant to be part of the club. I’m only a temporary guest.”

He shrugs as he pushes the plate and glass across the counter to me.

“Eat up. Pres will be back shortly. He said you’re not a prisoner, but he wanted me to ask you to stay inside. At least until he gets back.”

“Fair enough.”

Jacob stands with me as I eat. At first, he was silent, but then I started asking him questions about himself and before I knew it, I had him chatting away.

“Are you talking the poor girl’s ear off?” I jump and wince in pain as I spin toward the voice as fast as my aching head will let me.

Then I let out a breath of relief.

Evelyn, the doctor from the night before, stands in front of me.

“I’m sorry, Natalie.” Jacob looks down at his feet.

“No. Don’t be. He was entertaining me. I enjoyed talking with you, Jacob. Please don’t feel bad.”

He gives me a small smile. “I better get back to cleaning. Evelyn will take care of you. If you need me, you know where to find me.”

I watch as he leaves the kitchen. I eat the last piece of bacon before taking my plate to the sink. I’m about to wash it when Evelyn chuckles.

“Leave the dish. That’s the sweetbutts’ job. Let’s go check you out. Plus, I have some clothes for you.”

I give her a grateful smile as I follow her out of the kitchen.

“I thought you said someone else was going to come with you,” I whisper to her, keeping my eye on our surroundings.

“Sunny wanted to come, but the baby was up all night with a cold, so she thought it best to stay home. She will be by eventually to see you.”

“Oh,” I murmur.

As we walk through the main room, the woman from the night before frowns at me, giving me a dirty look.

“Watch it, Daniela. That looks a lot like jealousy. You know what happens to a jealous sweetbutt.”

The woman doesn’t respond but averts her gaze.

As I trail behind Evelyn, I whisper, “What happens?”

She laughs again. “Sweetbutts have one job only. To please the men of this club in any way they see fit. Now they aren’t forced, but it’s in their best interest to do as they are asked. If they don’t, they will be asked to leave. Unless one of the men decides to take them as their old lady. As a sweetbutt, there is no room for jealousy. No claim on any of the men. So if you show the slightest hint of jealousy, you’re booted. Daniela knows that, yet she is still jealous of anyone my brother shows attention to. She has always had it in her mind that he will one day wake up and decide to make her his old lady. Little does she know, my brother doesn’t want an old lady. The club is his main focus.”

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