Page 13 of Reaper's Justice
"But I found you first."
"Yes." I meet his gaze steadily. "Why me? There were other girls. Younger. Prettier. More valuable, as they kept reminding me."
"I don't know," he answers honestly. "Something about you..."
He doesn't finish the thought, and I don't press. I'm not sure I want to hear the answer.
A knock at the door breaks the moment. The tattooed man from last night—Ghost—pokes his head in.
"Sorry to interrupt, boss. We've got movement at the warehouse. Blade just called it in."
Reaper stands immediately. "How many?"
"Four vehicles. Looks like they're moving something in. Or someone."
"The shipment's early." Reaper grabs his cut from the back of his chair, shrugging it on. "Get everyone ready. Full gear. We move in thirty."
Ghost nods, disappearing as quickly as he came.
Reaper turns back to me. "I have to go."
"The girls," I say, understanding immediately. "The new shipment."
"Yes." He hesitates, then reaches into his desk drawer, pulling out a small handgun. "Do you know how to use this?”
Chapter 5 - Reaper
She stares at the gun in my hand, her green eyes wide.
"I don't."
I hesitate, weighing the decision. Putting a weapon in the hands of someone untrained is dangerous but leaving her defenseless feels worse.
"It's simple," I say, turning the gun to show her the basics. "Safety is here. On now, which means it won't fire. Off when you push it down." I demonstrate without actually disengaging it. "Point and pull the trigger. It's got kickback, so be prepared for that."
She reaches for it, her slender fingers wrapping around the grip with unexpected determination.
"Like this?"
"Move your index finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot," I correct. "And keep it pointed down."
She adjusts her hold, the concentration on her face reminding me of Emma when she was learning something new.
"I hope you don't need it," I say, retrieving a spare magazine from the drawer. "But if someone comes through that door who isn't me or one of my brothers, safety off, aim for center mass, and keep pulling the trigger until they stop moving."
She nods, and I can see her memorizing the instructions. "I understand."
I should leave it at that. Should tell her to lock herself in my room until I return. Should keep her as far from danger as possible. But something in her expression stops me.
"You'll be safe here at the clubhouse," I say, watching her reaction. "Ghost is leaving two prospects behind as security."
"I want to come with you," she says, her voice stronger than I've heard it yet.
"No." The response is automatic. Protective.
"Please." She sets the gun down. "I need to see it. I need to see them taken down."
"It's not going to be pretty, Evelyn."
