Page 14 of Reaper

As soon as he walks away, I face the rest of the room. “Did everyone hear that? She’s off-limits.”

The men all grumble while the women look at her curiously.

I don’t hesitate. I grab her arm, pulling her along with me.

“I should have never left you out here. That’s my fault. You’ll be safe in my room.”

Once at my door, I pull my key out, unlocking it. Then I usher her in.

“The prospect shouldn’t have left you. I’ll have a talk with him. I’m going to lock you in. I’ll be back shortly. I also called a doctor for you. Will you be okay?”

She wrings her hands in front of her. “Please don’t punish Jacob. He was only getting me medicine and an ice pack. It’s my fault.”

I shake my head. Of course she got the prospect to give up his name.

“Don’t worry about him. I’ll be back.”

“Can I take a shower?” She points to my ensuite.

“Sure. There are towels under the sink.”

I walk out of the room, locking the door behind me. After running my hand down my face, I head back to church. Everyone is chatting but quiets when I enter, shutting the door.

“Is she okay?” Wrath asks.

I shake my head. “She’s a mess. You saw the bruises on her body. They aren’t all from tonight. Who knows what this woman has gone through. To answer your question from earlier, Twitch, we don’t know if we can trust her. He may have her conditioned to do whatever he says which includes infiltrating our club. If that happens, I take full responsibility, but you can’t tell me that seeing her like that doesn’t make you want to murder someone. She’s a nineteen-year-old girl who was charmed by the wrong man. A man who wouldn’t be breathing if I had done what needed to be done back then. So we protect her. Teach her what it means to have people at your back. Show her she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Anytime any of you see her, be nice to her. Treat her with respect, like you would your mother or sister. If you see anyone giving her trouble, you step in. Understood?”

A round of affirmatives sound out, making me breathe easier.

“Meeting adjourned. Trigger, do a deep dive, and let me know what you find. Tomorrow at eight in the morning, everyone needs to be here. We will decide what to do next.”

I watch as they all leave.

“I’ll work around here a bit more. Keep an eye on things when you can’t.” Wrath keeps his tone low.

“Please do. I trust our men, but they are still outlaws. I don’t want them getting any ideas.”

“You could make her your old lady. That would give her the ultimate protection,” he advises.

I snort. “I’ll never have an old lady. Besides, the poor girl has had enough choices taken away from her. She doesn’t need to trade one monster for another.”

He shrugs. “The difference is that your monster would be hers to command. Not the other way around.”

He pats my shoulder, heading out of the room. I take a moment before I follow, turning off the light as I shut the door.

“Hey. They said you needed me. Who got hurt this time?” my sister, Evelyn, asks.

“Thanks for coming. She’s in my room.” I start heading down the hall.

“She?” she calls from down the hall.

I wait for her to catch up before continuing. “I need information from her, but she’s pretty beat up. She may be skittish.”

“Who is she?”

I sigh. “I have no idea, but she’s young. Only nineteen years old. She’s been through some shit.”

At my door, I knock before I unlock and open it. Natalie is sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but a towel.

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