Page 49 of Reaper Released

“You got Bernie’s number?”

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Yeah, Brother, what you up to? Not getting cold feet already, are you?”

“Fuck no! I just wanna do some stuff, and best you don’t know what, plausible deniability and all that!”

Laughing and rolling his eyes, he throws a set of keys at me. “They’re the only ones, so don’t lose ‘em!”

Nodding, I grab Bernie’s number and head to my room. “Hey Bernie, it's Steel.”

“Steel? Everything okay, son? You're not having second thoughts already, are you? I know she’s a lot!”

I bark out a laugh. “No, Bernie, no second thoughts; why do people keep saying that? And she’s just the right amount! Anyway, I wanted to ask you a favour.”

“Ah, not even officially part of the family yet, and you wanna favour, hey? What toys do you need?”

“Toys?”

“Yeah, that’s why you called, isn't it? Because of my… contacts?”

“Bernie, I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick. I wanna do a surprise for Ray, but I need a bit of help. She's gone to the van for the night with Scar, so can you come here? If you park in front of the garage, I will meet you there!”

“Ooh, how cryptic. I love surprises. I'm on my way. See you soon!”

I open up the group chat and message Dice, Viking, Tank, Priest, Dozer and Blade as I head to the bar to grab a quick drink.

Steel: Guys, we’re on! Meet me there in thirty minutes, stealth mode, though. Don’t let anyone, and I mean anyone, see you!

Tank: ‘Thumbs-up emoji’

Dice: ‘Thumbs-up emoji’

Viking: On my way back now, so I will be a little late. See you there.

Blade: ‘Middle finger emoji’ sorry ‘Thumbs-up emoji’.

Priest:K.

Dozer: I’m literally sitting beside you at the bar, you twat!

Steel: ‘Middle finger emoji’

We all agree after an hour of going backwards and forwards on what I want. “So we all know what we have to do. Bernie, will Marie give me a call, please? And Dozer, can you get Beauty to call me too? Is there anything I’ve forgotten?” I look at everyone. They're all shrugging and shaking their heads. “Bernie, you know what to do with the pas, yeah?”

“Yeah, got it sorted, don’t worry. You sure this is gonna happen in four weeks?”

“It had better! Right, let's call it a night. Just be quiet as we leave!”

Steel: Hey, Brother, all sorted. Can you send me “on a job” for three weeks in a few days? I need an alibi.

Ares: Yeah, is this gonna bite me in the ass, though? I do not want to be on your wife’s bad side. She's scary!

Steel: Wife! I love the sound of that! Ah, you scared of little ole Ray?

Ares: No! I’m scared of the motherfucking Reaper. That bitch is insane, and you would be wise to be wary, too. Don’t make me regret this, Brother!

Steel: We’re good, Brother. She’s gonna be fine, don’t worry. I got you.

Ares: Fine!

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