Page 83 of Reaper

I press a quick kiss to her cheek.

She doesn’t know it, but she makes me want to be a better man.

For her, I’d do anything.

* * *

After everything with Tara, my head is still spinning. How can these women feel secure here with no checks and balances? They need to have a safe space. They should never fear speaking up.

I didn’t know that the man who hurt Tara was the same who harassed me the first night I was here. Hell, I could have been her if Harrison hadn’t come out when he did.

I slept on it last night hoping the feeling would go away, but it didn’t. If anything, I felt like I was being called to do more.

It’s such a strong feeling that I can’t lie in bed a moment longer.

I pull on a pair of sweats and one of Harrison’s club shirts before making my way to the main area. I don’t see anyone, so I head toward the room he calls church.

I knock on the door, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Hey. You’re awake early,” he says, looking at his watch.

It’s before five. I’m rarely up before eight these days.

“We need to talk.”

He frowns, setting his pen down.

“Okay. We can go back to the room.”

I shake my head. “I want a notebook and pen and a table.”

He tilts his head. “We have an office over at the garage on the property. Let’s go there.”

I nod, letting him lead me out of the room, watching as he locks it behind us. The walk to the shop is quiet, but he keeps his arm around me the entire time. He seems nervous.

Once inside, he hands me a notebook and pen before sitting next to me.

I shake my head. “Sit across from me.” I indicate the side of the desk where a guest might sit.

He chuckles but does as I ask.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting, Queen Bee?” he asks.

“What happened with Tara was unacceptable. I can’t help but think how many of the girls feel that way. I want to make this place better. Safer. I want you to help me make it happen.”

He smiles, his face holding a hint of relief. I wonder what he thought this was about.

“What do you propose?”

“I’m not quite sure yet. I think to start, I need to get the girls together and see what their ideas are. Obviously, I will make sure they know this is all just communication at this point, but they would be the ones who know what would help them most. For example, do you offer free condoms to them? STD testing? If not, then that’s the first order of business. They should have free medical care through you.”

He frowns. “We take care of the girls. If they ask to go to the doctor, we do it.”

I shake my head. “I spoke with Tara a little yesterday. She’s afraid to ask for anything because if you are seen as a problem, it’s more likely you will get rid of her. It should be known from the time they step in the door that they get free testing and we need to have a community bowl of condoms or something. We should be offering them contraception as well.”

I write down my thoughts as they come to mind.

He smiles, rubbing his face. “We?”

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