Page 9 of Reaper

She meets my eyes. “Honestly? None. I’m not even sure if he will help me. He’s my last hope though.”

“Why is that?” I keep my tone light, hoping not to spook the girl.

“He has no reason to, but he’s the only person who can keep me safe.”

“Safe from who?”

“My ex.”

She says ex as if it’s a question.

“Are you asking or telling me he’s your ex?”

“Telling.”

I chuckle. “You want us to keep you safe from some ex-boyfriend? Go to the cops. It’s their job to protect the citizens. Not us.”

I go to turn, but her next words stop me in my tracks.

“William Danworth owns people on the police payroll. If I go to them, they will hand me back over. If I try to run, he will find me. In the year I’ve been his prisoner, there has only been one name that caused him any distress. That name is Kingston with the Lotus MC.” She sobs. “Please. Let me plead my case to him. If you don’t, you may as well put the bullet through my head right now because I’m as good as dead. I have money to give you. It’s not much, but you can have it all. All I’m asking for is a chance.”

I turn back slowly, taking her in once again. The bruised temple. The split lip. The way she is quivering as tears pour down her face.

William Danworth.

The bane of my fucking existence.

The one name she could have said to make me pay attention.

“Come here, sweetheart.” My tone is low, dangerous.

Natalie hesitates for a split second before she limps closer until she’s standing in front of me.

“Why did you come here? What makes you think we would help you?”

“Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” She licks her lips. “Please, I just can’t do this anymore. Don’t send me back to that hellhole.”

Reaching out, I grab the bottom of her sweater.

“Show me the proof,” I demand.

Her face and the way she holds herself is more than enough proof, but I need to see how bad her injuries are. How deep they go.

She nods slowly. First she takes the money out of the pocket, attempting to hand it to me. When I don’t take it, she holds it out to Wrath.

He doesn’t move either.

“Please. I don’t want it to fly away.” She sounds so broken.

I nod to Wrath, who collects the money from her. She hisses as she peels up the hoodie and drops it on the ground as soon as it's off. Her breathing is labored. Then she pulls up the hem of her shirt.

Her entire side is in several different stages of bruising. Some are almost healed while others are obviously fresh.

I can feel my eye twitch as my fists flex. Rage, pure fucking rage overtakes my body. Who the fuck does this to a woman?

She lets the T-shirt fall before going to undo her pants. I shake my head.

I rasp, barely holding back my anger. “No need. Get dressed.”

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