Page 16 of Reaper

"Shhh, we can talk about it in the morning," he soothes, his fingers stroking through my tangleshair."Whatever it is, we'll face ittogether.No more secrets,remember?"

The promise lodges in mythroat.I want so badly to believe him, to trust that our love is strong enough to weather anystorm.But the rational part of me knowsbetter.

Men like Reaper don't forgive betrayaleasily.Especially not from someone who's already broken their heartonce.

"First thing," I agree hoarsely, sighing as he settles in behind me, soothing me tosleep.

7

REAPER

Dawn paints the hotel room in shades of gold, catching on Sandy's bare skin where she's tangled in the sheets beside me.Her tank top and cut lie discarded on the floor along with her cut and my jeans, physical evidence of last night's reunion.

She shifts in her sleep, seeking my warmth, and something in my chest tightens.Even now, even after everything, she fits against me like she never left.Like the last five years were just a bad dream we've finally woken up from.

My burner buzzes on the nightstand.Ranch's code. Right. Our scheduled check-in.

I ease out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her.She mumbles something, burrowing deeper into my pillow, and that familiar ache in my chest spreads.God, I've missed this. Missed her.

Grabbing my jeans, I slip onto the balcony, closing the door quietly behind me.The desert morning is already heating up, but I barely notice the temperature.I'm still riding the high of lastnight--of Sandy's taste on my tongue, her legs wrapped around my waist, her voice crying out my name as she came apart in my arms.

My lips curve remembering how she'd promised to tell me something this morning.Probably about Timer, about whatever op she's running in Georgia.And for once, I'm not even worried about it.Because this time feels different.This time we're facing everything together, no more secrets between us.

I hit Ranch's contact, expecting our usual voice call.Instead, his face fills my screen, expression grim.

"Get somewhere private," he orders without preamble."Away from the room."

Ice slides down my spine, but I obey, heading down to the parking lot.The morning air carries a bite, matching the dread building in my gut.

"What's wrong?" I keep my voice low, scanning the mostly empty lot out of habit."Kings making moves?"

"Worse." Ranch runs a hand through his hair--a tell I recognize from years of friendship.He's about to tell me something I really don't want to hear."We've got a rat."

The words hit like a physical blow."What?"

"My contact at the bureau called.There's an active investigation into the Saints.Has been for years." His jaw tightens."And your ex is running point on it."

For a moment, I can't breathe.Can't think. Can't process what he's telling me.

"What ex?" But I already know.God help me, I already know.

"Sandy Mitchell." The name falls like a death sentence."She's been building a case against us since before she left.Everything--her transfer to the Wings, the Kings investigation, even showing up on this run--it was all about getting close enough to take us down."

The world tilts sideways. Images flash through my mind like photographs burning, Sandy's smile when she saw me again.Her fingers tracing my tattoos.Her mouth moving under mine as she promised no more secrets.

All lies. Again.

"That's not..." My voice sounds strange,distant."She said she left to protectus.That they wanted her to inform on my dad's operation but she walked awayinstead."

"Think, brother." Ranch's voice gentles, like he's breaking bad news to a victim'sfamily."Your dad died in that ambush six months after sheleft.How many crews knew your route thatnight?How many people had that kind of insideintel?"

Bile rises in my throat as memories realign themselves with sickeningclarity.Sandy's constant questions about clubbusiness.Her too-convenient appearances at keymoments.The way she always seemed to know thingssheshouldn't.

"The Kings recognized her." The words taste likeash."They knew she was a fed before Idid."

"Because she's been working them too." Ranch sighsheavily."My guy says she's been gathering evidence on multiple clubs, building some kind of RICOcase.The Saints are just her latesttarget."

A broken sound escapes me--something between a laugh and asnarl."And I fell for it. Again. Opened up my fucking heart when all she wantedwas..."

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