Page 28 of Reaper Released

She thinks for a moment while biting her lip. “Santa Muerte!”

“Ah, Mexican Grim Reaper!” I smile at her.

She gives me a genuine smile. “It seems fitting. Reaper!”

I laugh as I rise to my feet. I pull her into a hug, and she takes a breath and then sobs. I hold her for what feels like a lifetime. Hearing the faintest noise, I look towards the door and see Carmen. I raise my finger to my lips, and she nods and backs away. I can see the hurt in her eyes, but she doesn’t say anything. A few minutes later, Tali pulls away from me and wipes her eyes.

“Go wash your face. We will head to the pool before someone comes looking for us. Remember the word and use it when you need to, okay? I will not let him touch you again!”

She nods and scurries into the bathroom. Fuck, that got real heavy, real fast, and this is gonna be one of those make-or-break moments, as I’m gonna kill that motherfucker, and it’s gonna be brutal. I just hope that Carmen won’t take it as an act against her, but if she does, I’m gonna have to be ready.

I need her to trust me blindly. And for that, I need to talk to her without giving any of what I know away. Just another day in the life of Reaper. It’s getting far too easy to blur the lines I have kept in place for so long. Maybe my dad and Steel were right!

Tali exits the bathroom.

“You good?”

She nods.

“Okay, I need you to trust that I won’t tell your mum what’s happening, but I do need to ask her to trust me. If I kill someone here, she needs to have the heads up, okay?”

She chews at her lip and nods. “You won’t tell her, though, will you? I don't want her to look at me like I’m… damaged or fragile.”

“Can you defend yourself?”

She shakes her head.

“Okay, while I’m here, I will show you some things, just in case we don’t get the outcome we want, okay?”

She nods and smiles. “You'll really teach me?”

“Yeah, kiddo, I will.” Slinging my arm over her shoulder, we walk out of the room and back towards the pool. Carmen eyes me curiously and cautiously. I need to speak to her, but I won’t betray Tali. She needs me, and I won’t let her down. I shake my head slightly at Carmen, and she looks away. I can see a sadness in her eyes, but she stiff upper lips it, and I know I will have to explain myself later, well, as much as I can, but I won’t betray Tali. She needs to know that my word means something!

After having a few more drinks around the pool, Carmen orders us all food, and we sit and eat it outside. It’s so warm, and by the time it gets dark, there are heaters which she has flicked on to take the edge off. We drink until the early hours, talking and laughing and then head to bed.

When I wake the next morning, I have an uneasy feeling, so I shower quickly and head to grab the others, sliding my knife in my boot, so I’m prepared if needed. We are spotted loitering in the hall, and one of the staff members takes us to the dining room.

Carmen is already eating breakfast. “Morning, ladies. I must say, what a fantastic evening I had. I really enjoyed your company.”

Smug grinning at her, I say, “Carmen, you almost seem surprised by your own admission!” I waggle my eyebrows at her as she breaks out in laughter.

“Reaper, I must say you’re not what I expected. I do find you and your friends extremely entertaining, and it’s a pleasant surprise to feel so at ease. I hope we can build a true friendship, as I think that could be beneficial to us both.”

“Strong women need to support each other and straighten each other's crowns. I'm always down with adding another queen to our group, and I look forward to growing this friendship. That said, Carmen, would you mind a word in private?”

Frowning at me, she nods. “Of course. Why don’t I show you around the grounds?”

Grabbing a couple of the Pan Dulce as we head out, I follow her to the main doors and out into the gardens after we are far enough away from the house.

Carmen clears her throat. “I’m assuming this is something to do with what I saw in your room yesterday.”

Chewing my breakfast, I nod. These are amazing, but I’m not gonna let some sweet bread distract me from what I need from Carmen. “It does, Carmen. What I’m about to say isn’t going to instil your trust in me. However, I need you to know that no matter what goes down, it needs to happen, and I need you to trust that!”

“That sounds very cryptic, Reaper, and we barely know each other. While I do have an element of trust in you, you’ve already saved my daughter a fate which would have been worse than death for her, you were in reality saving yourself, and that information was a bonus.”

“You are correct, Carmen. I did save Catalina by saving my own skin, and after meeting her, I’m glad I did. We had a talk… this is what I need you to trust me on.”

She pauses and turns to look at me.

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