Page 2 of Reaper

Of course she did. Sandy never did anything halfway.It was one of the things I loved about her.One of the things that made losing her hurt so much.

"Three more states," Tank mutters through the comm."Just avoid her."

But I know better. Sandy, Rebel, or whatever she goes by these days never shows up anywhere by accident.And from the calculating look in her eyes as she surveys our group, she's got plans.

The question is, am I finally man enough to handle them?

"We should discuss the route." Her voice carries that same honey-sweet tone that used to drive me wild."Unless you're still too busy playing road warrior to talk strategy?"

"Some things never change." I slide off my bike, matching her challenging stance."Still pushing buttons just to see what happens."

"And some things do." She steps closer, close enough that I catch the scent of leather and jasmine that haunts my dreams."I earned my place, Reaper. Question is, did you earn yours?Or are you still riding daddy's coattails?"

The low blow hits its mark. My father had been Road Captain before me, killed in a rival club ambush when I was barely twenty.Sandy knows exactly where to stick the knife.

"Meeting in ten," I announce to both crews, stepping back before I do something stupid like kiss that smirk off her face."Timer, set up a perimeter. Doc, run those supplies to the motel.Everyone else, standard protocol."

Sandy's eyes narrow at the authority in my voice.Good. Let her see I'm not the reckless kid she left behind.I've earned every mile of respect these men give me.

"Only three rooms left at the motel," Doc reports through the comm."Want me to try the next town?"

"Negative." The sun's almost gone, painting the desert in dangerous shadows."We're losing light. Make it work."

Sandy's lips curve knowingly like she can read the thoughts racing through my head. With only three rooms left, the likelihood of us Debbieng a room since we already know each other is high.One room. One bed. One night of forced proximity with the woman who still haunts my dreams.

"Just like old times," she murmurs, brushing past me to help unload supplies."Try to keep up, Road Captain."

I watch her walk away with her dangerous curves and deadlygrace.Five years of building walls, of focusing onnothing but the club and my duties, and she shatters them with onesmile.

Three more states toGeorgia.Three more states of pretending she doesn't still own pieces of mysoul.Three more states of remembering why I can't trust her, no matter how much I wantto.

But first, I have to survivetonight.And something tells me Sandy isn't done pushing my buttonsyet.

Time to find out if I've really grown up enough to handle her kind oftrouble.

2

SANDY

Playing bait for the River Kings wasn't exactly how I planned to see Reaper again after five years.Then again, nothing about this operation is going according to plan.Especially not the way my heart still skips when he takes control of his convoy with those stupid yet confident hand signals and measured authority.

He's grown into the man I always knew he could be.Not that I'll tell him that. His ego's big enough already.

"They took the bait," I murmur into my concealed comm, watching the Kings disappear into the desert."Moving to phase two."

"Copy that, Agent Mitchell." Handler's voice crackles in my ear, almost lost under the rumble of bikes."Remember, we need concrete evidence before moving in, if things go south, focus on the weapons.Stay close to the Saints. You’re in the King’s territory, if they catch wind of this before we do this, it’ll turn into an all-out war."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.Five years undercover with the Devil's Wings, working my way up from prospect's old lady to trusted treasurer, and they still treat me like a rookie.At least the Wings know my worth, even if they don't know my real purpose.

Reaper's watching me with that intense focus that used to make me feel like the only woman in the world.Still does, if I'm honest. But I didn't come here to rehash old feelings.I'm here to stop a war before it starts, even if that means using our past to get close to the information I need.

"Meeting in ten!" His voice carries across the lot, all business now.Good. Let him think I'm just another complication from his past.It'll make my job easier if he keeps his distance.

The motel parking lot fills with leather and chrome as both crews settle in for the night.I recognize most of the Saints from five years ago, Timer with his silver beard, Doc still carrying that medical bag, Tank watching everyone like the VP he's apparently become.They eye me with varying degrees of suspicion, probably remembering how thoroughly I shattered their Road Captain's heart.

If they only knew the whole story.

"Agent Mitchell." Handler's voice interrupts my thoughts."We've got movement at the compound.Looks like the Kings are mobilizing."

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