Page 72 of Reaper
A moment later, he lays down against my side and I continue to pet him.
Thinking back to that day, I was still surprised that Void had shown back up here after the fire. It was a few days after Lark had come to her house for the first time. I’d been here with a few of the guys to gather the last of Lark’s stuff to take out to Khloe’s house for them and was carrying a box to the truck when I heard a meow coming from the bushes. Knowing that Lark was still fretting over Void’s absence, I set the box down and went to investigate. I was worried it was a stray, but thankfully, it was Void that I’d found.
He didn’t look too worse for wear, but his fur was a bit matted and muddy in some areas. It took a bit of coaxing, but eventually, I’d got him to come out to me. He didn’t seem too malnourished, though he readily drank some water we’d put out for him for a long time. After that, I’d called Lark and met her at the vet’s office. She wanted to have him looked over since he’d been gone for a month.
Thankfully, Void got a clean bill of health. After leaving the vet, I went with Lark to the pet store as she hadn’t rebought any of his stuff yet and helped her get it all set up at Khloe’s house. All the women were relieved that he’d made it out of the fire unscathed.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I check my messages while still petting Void, and let Devil know that we’ll be back later this afternoon. That done, I scroll through my feed as I wait.
About ten minutes later, Lark comes out of the bathroom carrying a couple of small bags. She’s changed into jeans and a long-sleeved button-up casual shirt with what looks like a tank top underneath it. She left her long brown hair down and I make a mental note to make sure she brings some hair ties because one of my goals for this weekend is getting Lark on the back of my bike. Fuck, I need to get her some gear.
“Aww,” Lark coos and I look up, realizing that she’s noticed Void curled up against my hip. She sits down on the bed and joins me in petting him. “Bathroom’s yours. I left a new toothbrush on the counter for you,” she says and I give Void one more scritch before I get up.
“Thanks, Darlin’.”
I grab my clothes off the dresser and take a quick shower. Thankfully, Lark had set out some generic travel supplies so I was actually able to freshen up a bit.
When I’m done, I head back into the bedroom and my chest warms as I see Lark put a few bags on her bed. She blushes when she looks up at me, and I’m about to kiss her when I hear her stomach rumble again.
“Let’s get you fed, Darlin’.”
Taking her hand, we head downstairs.
“Good morning,” Emma calls out when we come into the kitchen. “Have a seat, breakfast is almost ready.”
Lark walks over to a cabinet and pulls out two coffee mugs. “Coffee, Anthony?” She pauses and a look of panic crosses her face. “Crap. Is calling you Anthony for just when we’re alone, as in just us two, or is it okay when Ma and Granny are around as well?”
“In regards to coffee, yes please, and black. And Anthony’s fine, Darlin’.” Seeing confusion on Emma’s and Granny’s faces as they look between us, I gesture to my patch that has my road name on it. “It’s a club thing. When we’re around the club, we call each other by our road names, so I would appreciate you calling me Reaper at those times. However, when we aren’t around them, like now, you all can call me Tony or Anthony or you can continue to call me Reaper. Whichever is fine by me.” Then again, if Lark and I do eventually marry, that will change. I don’t care if family calls me Anthony or Tony around the club.
They both nod in understanding as they smile.
“Well, then, Anthony, eat up,” Granny says as she puts a plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes down in front of me and then she sits down with her own breakfast while Emma brings plates over for Lark and herself.
“What’s on your agenda today, Honey?” Emma asks Lark and she blushes again as her gaze flicks to me for a moment before she looks over at her mom.
“Well, Anthony asked if I’d spend the rest of my weekend with him and I said yes.” She pauses and her blush deepens. “I was going to take Void with me to introduce him to Igor, Anthony’s french bulldog.”
Both Emma and Lottie’s eyes light up at the mention of Igor.
“You’ll have to bring Igor here sometime as well. I’ve been contemplating getting a dog myself. Maybe even a cat,” Emma comments and I smile.
“I’ll bring him along the next time I come over.”
“Did you get him from a shelter or a breeder?” Granny asks.
My hands curl into fists at the reminder. “Neither.” I take a deep breath, ignoring that they are all looking at me with worry. “I was in town with a Prospect because we were picking up some furniture we’d ordered for the townhouses we built on the clubhouse grounds for visitors. It was fall, so it was already pretty dark by the time we got everything loaded. We went to grab some takeout and on the way there, we passed by an alley. I heard whimpering and went to check it out. I found him in a box that was taped up and thrown in a dumpster. His leg was broken and he had a bunch of cuts on him. It wasn’t till I got him to the vet that I was able to see some of the wounds I had thought were cuts were actually from a BB gun. The vet confirmed that as well when she was examining him. He wasn’t chipped and since no one came forward to claim him, I adopted him.”
The muscle in Lark’s jaw ticks and the same anger that’s blazing in her eyes is mirrored in Emma’s and Granny’s.
“Did you guys find out who did that to him?”
I shook my head. “Unfortunately, no. Python was able to get the security feed from the club owner, but the guy kept his face concealed.”
Lark reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Well, at least Igor’s in good health now and in a good home.”
Thankfully the conversation switches and I force my anger down at what that asshole did to Igor.
A few minutes later, Granny frowns and looks over at me. “I’ve seen those videos on that fancy phone Lark got me,” she pauses as she waves to the counter where her phone still sits. “Does Igor ride with you on the motorcycle, too?”
