Page 74 of Reaper

“Blackstone’s ranch needs to be destroyed,” Scar says, finally turning to me.

“Let’s burn this place to the ground,” Nitro growls.

Talon and Matrix nod in agreement.

“What do we need?” Tucker asks, always ready to help.

“I’ve got this,” Matrix says.

He moves swiftly around the kitchen, turning on the gas stove and leaving it to fill the room. He expertly mixes chemicals from beneath the sink, creating an unstable concoction that will cause an explosion. Setting the microwave timer to five minutes, he glances around at all of us.

“Time to run,” he warns, urgency clear in his voice.

The night’s darkness is pierced by the ominous red glow of the microwave timer counting down. My heart races as I lift Ace into my arms.

“Let’s get the hell out of here,” I say, clutching my son against my chest.

My brothers fall into step beside us, our footfalls echoing through the silent house. The knowledge that Blackstone can’t hurt anyone ever again fills me with a sense of grim satisfaction, but there’s no time to dwell on it. We have to move.

Our boots pound on the wooden floors as we race through the house, desperate to reach the safety of our bikes waiting outside.

“Almost there,” I whisper to Ace, feeling his small body shiver against me.

We burst through the rear door and run into the night. The cold night air chills the sweat on my skin.

“Head for the fence!” Scar yells, leading the way across the field.

Our breaths are labored and heavy as we sprint toward our bikes.

“It’s gonna blow!” Matrix warns, glancing nervously over his shoulder at the mansion.

“Keep going!” I urge them.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion roars through the night, and a wave of heat slams into us. I’m knocked off my feet, but instinctively curl around Ace, shielding him from the blast. The ground trembles beneath us as fire engulfs the house, the flames reaching desperately for the sky.

“Are you okay?” I ask Ace, my voice trembling slightly.

“Y-yeah …” he stammers, his eyes wide with fear. “You protected me.”

“Always will, son.” I help him to his feet, relieved to see he’s unharmed.

My family—my brothers—are safe too, and that’s all that matters right now.

I turn back to look at the burning mansionone last time. Watching as its twisted silhouette is consumed by the flames, a sense of finality washes over me. Blackstone’s house of horrors is finally being erased from our lives forever.

“Let’s go home,” I say softly.

Chapter 28: Reaper

The rumble of our motorcycles fills the air as we pull up to the clubhouse. Daisy stands on the porch, her brown hair dancing in the breeze while worry etches itself across her face. As I kill the engine, I can’t help but feel a wave of relief wash over me. We made it back, and Ace is safe.

“Where’s Lexi?” I ask Daisy as we all go inside the clubhouse.

“She finally cried herself to sleep,” Daisy replies, her blue eyes filled with concern. “Maybe you should let her rest for a few more minutes.”

“I’m not keeping her from our son for another second. Go get her, Tucker.”

“Right away.” He hurries down the hall.

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