Page 81 of Reaper

“She wanted it. I didn’t hurt anyone more than they wanted.”

I ground my teeth together. If Wrath is this angry, it wasn’t a little rough play.

I wish I had given Natalie a phone so I could call her. I don’t want her out here, but we need to know what happened. The guys need to hear it from the source.

First thing tomorrow she is getting a cell phone.

For now, I look to the prospect. “Bring them here. Tell Natalie I’m here, and they are safe.”

He nods, taking off again.

“So is this how it’s going to be now that you got a little pussy. You gonna take their word for everything and condemn one of your brothers.”

“I’m not condemning anyone. We will hear what she has to say then take a vote as we do with everything. If you did nothing, then there isn’t any reason to be concerned, right?”

He mutters under his breath, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.

“Care to repeat that?” I challenge.

“No, Pres.” He shakes his head.

It’s silent as we wait for the girls to come. As soon as I see Natalie, my heart races. I know it wasn’t her that was hurt, but my eyes still take in her body, ensuring she is safe and healthy.

Then my eyes land on the girl next to her. She’s covered in bruises.

Wrath stalks toward them, making the girl cower behind Natalie. I don’t know what he says to her, but after a moment, she lets him tuck her under his arm as he carefully guides her to the group, her hand still in Natalie’s. As soon as she’s close enough, I move toward her, taking up her other side, the women protected between me and Wrath.

“We need to hear what happened,” I say, looking at Natalie as I say the words.

“Tara, it’s okay to tell them.”

Tara glances up at Wrath. “He went ballistic the last time I said it.”

“He will keep himself in check. He needs to stay by your side. Isn’t that right, Wrath?”

He nods, looking down at her, his face softening. “I won’t hurt you. Please tell them what happened so I can take care of the waste of space.”

Tara swallows hard, looking to the ground.

“Last night, Jug claimed me for the rest of the night. He brought me back to his room and began degrading me. I’m not into that and asked him to stop, but he became physical. The more I cried, the harder he would hit me. Then as he forced himself on me, he used his arm to choke me until my vision blurred. I thought he was going to kill me. When he was finally done, he picked me up and dropped me outside his door.” She says the words in a detached way as if she wasn’t the one being hurt.

Natalie squeezes my hand as she lays her head on Tara’s shoulder. Wrath squeezes the girl closer to him as he meets my eyes.

He’s going to kill Jug. Maybe not today, but one day he will.

“Jug, what do you have to say for your actions?” I ask, knowing nothing but lies will fall from his lips.

I have no doubt that this girl is telling the truth. The bruises themselves speak volumes. No one consents to being used as a punching bag.

“It was consensual. She’s lying now because of how she looks, but last night she liked it.”

I watch Tara as he speaks, her body growing smaller. She reminds me of Natalie when she came to us.

I hate it.

“Does anyone have any questions, or are we ready to vote?” I grit out through my teeth.

“With the women here?” Colt asks.

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