Page 68 of The Reaper

“Why don’t you help them and I’ll check in with Tobias?” I suggested.

“Okay,” Archer answered, tapping my shoulder.

His grandmother grabbed his arm, as though a thought had just occurred to her. “All those flowers and presents over the years … were they from you?” she asked.

“Yes, Gram.”

“Thank you. I kept them all.”

I stepped outside and dialed Andrew’s number. It kept ringing, but the phone connected before it went to voice mail. “Andrew?” Like the last time, nothing but static and beeping greeted me. “Where are you?” I whispered. It went unanswered. I ended the call.

A well-built man walked toward the house and I pulled the gun from my waistband, hiding it behind me. He was as tall as Archer and I, but more muscular than us both. He had short brown hair that matched his well-groomed facial hair. “Stay where you are,” I said, pointing my gun at him when he entered the front yard.

He raised his hands, letting me know he wasn’t armed, or at least not holding a weapon, since the outline of a gun was visible through his tight white T-shirt. “I’m Tobias,” he said.

I lowered my gun and met him halfway. “Heath.” I offered a hand.

Tobias shook my hand, his grip was strong and determined. “How do you know Archer?” he asked. “He’s never mentioned you before.”

“The Firm sent me to kill him,” I confessed.

Tobias’s eyes widened, and he pulled his gun out before I could blink. “What the fuck?” he asked, pointing it at me.

“Relax. I’m on your side.” It was my turn to raise my hands.

“Where’s The Reaper?”

“He’s inside. He’s alive,” I answered. “His grandparents are coming with us.”

Tobias glanced behind me, lowering his gun when he heard voices coming from the house. “Sorry, I don’t trust a lot of people,” he admitted.

“I get it. But I’m on your side.”

“They sent you to kill him, huh?” Tobias tucked his gun back in his waistband.

“Yeah. They should’ve sent another Priest.”

“Holy shit! You’re one of The Priests?”

“Yup.”

The door behind me opened. Archer carried two suitcases, while his grandparents carried one each. “Nice to see you alive, bro.” Tobias grabbed the bag from Archer’s grandma’s hand.

“Thanks to him.” Archer nodded his head my way. The tension in his face eased now that he was getting his grandparents to safety. We rushed to Tobias’s car, making up precious time. The Firm could arrive any time now. “We need to go somewhere they can’t track us,” Archer said. He loaded all the bags in the back of the SUV.

I considered his question, a place coming to my mind. “I have one,” I said. It was the hideout Andrew and I had bought years ago. We purchased it using a shell corporation we created overseas so it wouldn’t be traced back to us. “Nobody knows about this place but me and my brother.”

“Is your brother—”

“He’s a Priest too.” I didn’t know how much I should reveal in the presence of Archer’s grandparents, but it appeared that both Archer and Tobias understood what it meant. “We’ll be safe there. Trust me.”

“Lead the way.” Tobias pointed to the driver’s seat before handing me the key.

I gave him the key back. “Actually, I’ll ride with Archer and you can follow us.”

Tobias raised an eyebrow, eyeing Archer, who shrugged. “You sure? You’ll be more comfortable.”

“I’m sure.” When choosing between comfort or my arms wrapped around Archer, I’d pick him every time.

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