Page 21 of Reaper

“This might be the beginning of something beautiful,” I said.

I heard a scoff from the side and didn’t need to look to know it was Animal. I ignored him because I knew at some point I would have it out with him.

“Let’s hope so,” Angel said.

Mac came behind her and awkwardly patted my shoulder. When I looked at him, his grin softened into a genuine smile. I was the enemy’s daughter, and they never once berated me. He might have retired from his position as club president, but this could have been a very different experience if not for Mac. It hit me like a ton of bricks of how different he was from my father.

I mouthed thank you to him.

His expression turned solemn, and he gave me a head nod.

???

Everyone settled down and focused on breakfast. Reaper was sucking all my enjoyment from my eating experience. I could feel his eyes on me, so I glanced at his plate. He had only eaten a fraction of his food. I put my knife and fork down and turned to face him.

“What’s your problem?”

“Why are you eating like a normal human?” He asked, genuinely confused.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said straight-faced before reaching for some buttered toast and tucked into my food, knowing he wasn’t being weird for no reason.

I zoned out when they began to talk about a garage and work on cars and bikes, but it was a great opportunity to swap our plates. He ate too slowly.

Angel caught my eye, and I shrugged at her.

You snooze, you lose.

???

Reaper had left me with Angel, and I felt better having a little freedom. I needed to pump Angel for information because I had a million and one questions for her. She gave me a little background of most of the members. I was curious about her role in the club because there were no women in our club. They came and went, and over the last six years, no one lasted. She had the patience of a saint to put up with all my questions.

“Normally, Dylan helps me with the heavy workload?”

“Who’s that?”

“The prospect. Everyone wanting entry into the club must work up to it.”

Only one person wasn’t wearing the leather cut, and it was a guy around Kieran’s age.

I nodded.

“Rory had his own challenges, but this club means everything to him. It’s why his dad could retire.”

I blinked at her, confused, before chuckling.

“I forgot he was a person before he became a biker. Rory, it suits him.”

“Mac’s parents were from Scotland, so we gave him his grandfather's name.”

“Was it bad? Whatever my dad did?” I asked quietly.

She glanced up before putting the potato and peeler down.

“Yeah. There was a time when I had to carry a few weapons on me at all times. It's why the compound is so secure,” she said with sadness on her face. “Which reminds me once all this prep is done. Come to ours. You’re going to need to carry a few yourself.”

That perked me up. It was all good and well to have the backing of Reaper and the club, but to have something on my person would make me feel better. I began to peel the potatoes more vigorously, wanting to see what Angel had for me.

She chuckled and picked up her own peeler and potato.

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