Page 26 of Reaper
“That’d be good,” Jason says at the same time.
Reaper glances between the two of us and then settles his eyes on me. “Kyra, would it be okay if I went and read a book or something to the twins?”
“No,” Jason barks.
“Yes, please,” I say simultaneously.
“Right, uh. I’ll go do that then.”
As soon as I’m alone with my ex, I stand and lean on the table. “You son of a bitch,” I seethe.
“What’s your problem?”
“You,” I practically shriek. “My problem is you.”
Jason scoffs. “I’m not the one parading a complete stranger in front of our kids. What kinda name is Reaper, anyway?”
“You’ve got a lot of nerve, ya know that?” I snap. “Reaper, saved my lifeandthe diner you seem to think you have a right to.”
“It is my diner.”
“You gave up the right to it the moment you walked away. I’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears to keep that place going, not you.”
“Your point?”
From the time he left, Jason hasn’t given a damn about Night and Day. He hasn’t given a damn about his kids either for that matter. What’s different now? The answer hits me like a ton of bricks.
This is the first time I haven’t caved and given him the money he asked for.
I fucked up. All this time, I’ve been giving him what he wanted in order to keep the peace for Heidi and Hunter. I’ve been handing over cash thinking it would keep him away. WhatI failed to see is that it only served to keep him closer, to ensure his filthy talons stayed lodged in my life and theirs.
“Get out,” I order.
My ex stands and mimics my pose. I have no doubt he’s trying to seem threatening. Unfortunately for him, all it does is piss me off even more.
“You can’t tell me wh?—”
“Get the fuck out before I call the police.”
Jason’s face pales, but he doesn’t move. We stare at one another, neither of us willing to back down.
“I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Jason and I whip our heads toward the doorway, and Reaper is standing there, his shoulders squared and gaze deadly. He’s intimidating as hell, although he doesn’t scare me.
Interesting.
“It’s not your house,” Jason counters. “If Kyra wants me out, she can make me.”
“Sounds like an argument a four-year-old would make,” Reaper comments dryly, and Jason bristles while I smother a laugh. “Did Kyra happen to mention how I saved her life?” When Jason says nothing, Reaper continues. “I put a bullet between the fucker’s eyes.”
The last of the remaining color leeches out of Jason’s cheeks. He glances at me as if I’ll stick up for him, but I’m done. He might be the father of my children, but I owe him nothing.
“This isn’t over,” Jason says as he walks around the table. Reaper blocks his exit for a moment and then steps aside. “This isn’t over by a long shot.”
“Have a good night,” Reaper states in what I imagine he thinks is a friendly tone.
When the front door slams shut, I wince, knowing that Heidi and Hunter probably heard way more than is healthy for them.
