Page 36 of Reaper

“We both know Blackstone needs to be stopped—and soon. If the rumors and whispers are true, then he’s getting back into human trafficking.” She spits out the words like venom. “Matrix and the boys are watching him, but we need more than watchful eyes. Blackstone needs to be put down.”

“Trust me, we’re trying to get close enough. Close enough to end him.” As the image of Blackstone’s face fuels the rage within me, I gripthe railing.

“The club has to take care of it before he gets his hands on another kid.”

“I know. It’s the only thing on my mind.” The taste of vengeance is sharp on my tongue, a promise of retribution for the innocent lives shattered by Blackstone’s evil. Not just for me, but for Scar, Nitro, Talon, and Matrix. And for the kids who didn’t survive the way we did.

“Be careful, Reaper. He’s dangerous. Don’t underestimate him.” The concern in her voice isn’t lost on me. I know she’s worried about us, rightfully so. Blackstone is a demon in human form. I never thought demons could be real, but if they exist, he’s definitely one of them.

“He’ll pay.” I’ve lived on the edge of danger long enough to dance with death like an old friend. If I ever get close enough to kill Blackstone, I won’t hesitate.

We stand silent for a moment, the weight of our conversation lingering between us like the last notes of a funeral hymn. In the distance, Ace’s laughter cuts through the tension, a reminder that innocence still exists in this tarnished world, and it needs to be protected.

“Lexi gave us a new lead. When she was working for Blackstone, she had a keycard to the ranch. She had it on her when she crashed into the ravine. Matrix is working on getting that keycard programmed. If we can get into Blackstone’s ranch with that, then it’s game overfor him.”

Nina’s gaze locks onto mine, her eyes sharp as flint. “It almost sounds too easy. You need to be cautious, Reaper. You know as well as I do that your thirst for vengeance has gotten you into trouble before. Don’t walk into a trap. Blackstone’s not just another target. He’s pure evil. The kind you don’t put down with a single bullet.”

“I know.” Her warning settles into my gut like a lead weight. “I know what I’m up against, and now there’s even more at stake.”

“Because you have a son.”

“Yeah.” I swallow, feeling my Adam’s apple bob. I glance at Ace, who is playing tag with the two boys from the custody case. Someone has to protect those kids. Blood or not, they should never be forced to go through what I went through.

“Promise me something,” Nina says, her voice softer now. “Promise me you won’t go off half-cocked. You’re not invincible, Reaper. And Blackstone is more dangerous than most of the scum we’ve dealt with.”

“I promise, Nina,” I say solemnly, the words feeling almost like an oath. I mean them, too—even if every fiber of my being screams that I should charge in and end this once and for all. If I fuck up and die, then I’ll never get the vengeance I crave. Those kids, and the ones I watched die in the basement, will never get justice.

“Good,” she replies, her voice carrying the warmth of a mother’s concern. “Don’t forget, underestimating him is probably the last mistake you’d ever make.”

“That’ll never happen. I plan every move, every angle. Blackstone might be a monster, but he bleeds just like any other man.”

Nina studies me for a moment as if she can sense the tempest brewing inside me. “What does Lexi have to say for herself?”

“Nothing. I asked her to tell me the truth, but she didn’t.”

“Did you outright ask her if Ace is yours?”

“Not exactly. I told her she needed to be honest with me. Instead of telling me about Ace, she confessed she witnessed me murdering someone.”

“Who? Which guy?” Nina asks.

“No idea. There have been so many,” I say wryly.

“You two need to work things out.”

“Yeah, right. She’s a liar through and through. I can’t be with someone like that.”

“Maybe she was too afraid to tell you the truth, especially if she saw you kill a man.”

“That’s no excuse.”

“She’s not used to seeing as much death and violence as you are. It would have been shocking to her. If she ran because of that, honestly, I wouldn’t blame her. Had she seen that and stayed anyway, I’d be even more concerned. Shedid the normal thing.”

“I guess,” I say noncommittally, refusing to let Lexi off the hook.

“Give her a chance to explain herself.”

“Maybe.”

---