Page 39 of Shielding Lexi (Temptation)

What’s with me? I can’t possibly love all three of these guys, can I?

“Prez gave me an address to go to. A hide out. We should go there. You cool with that?” Reaper asks.

I’d go anywhere with Kane, Hawk, and Reaper, but the idea of meeting up at the boat and taking that anywhere has my hair on end. Maybe I can stay below deck and as far away from water as possible.

When we arrive at the boat, Reaper runs his hand down my bare thigh and I wince.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, climbing off the bike to look at my legs. “Your legs look awful. Is that fucking road rash?” His breath quickens and his skin turns red as he speaks, “What did that fucker do to you?”

“It’s over, Reap,” I say. “Let’s go inside.”

He keeps his gaze on me for a moment as though he’s trying to collect his thoughts before swiping me up into his arms and carrying me over the stern and into the boat.

A light breeze blows across the water as Reaper carries me downstairs, settling me onto the bed. “I have to go call the Prez for a moment. You going to be okay down here?”

I nod, knowing it’s non-negotiable. Besides, as much as I want to avoid any more water, I need to rinse this saltwater off. It’s stinging every cut and burns my eyes every time I rub them.

Reaper runs upstairs, and I go slide into the bathroom. It’s not a huge room by any means, but it’s big enough that I can turn around and comfortably shampoo my hair with the hose overhead.

I’m busy scrubbing out the cuts on my leg when there’s a knock on the door. “You okay, Lex?” It sounds like Reaper, but my nerves are shot to pieces and every noise and voice sounds startling.

“Come in,” I say, desperate to see his face for comfort.

I hear the door creak open. “The warm water feel good?” he asks.

I peek outside the frosted glass door to see he’s still standing in the doorway. The bathroom really isn’t big enough for him to be hanging out inside.

“How was your call?” I ask, still working soap over my entire body.

“Good. Prez is friends with a cop high up in the force. They’ve been trying to nail Brick for a while now. He’s happy to haul his body away at the city’s expense and call it a random shooting. That’ll keep us safe with the police, but the Daggers will still be after us for killing one of their biggest money makers. We can’t stay in Miami, and we can’t go back to the island.”

“Where are we going then?” I ask, shutting off the water to reach for a towel.

“Before I left, he gave me a message with coordinates. I have no idea where we are going. He implied that we had to stay away.”

“How long?” I ask, holding the towel tight as I step from the shower.

Reaper reaches out, holding my free hand to keep me from slipping. “I don’t know, a year, maybe more. It depends on how much Brick means to them. We’ll have to see how they react and act accordingly. Do you need to call anyone?” A year is a long time, but my life has crumbled apart and finding sanctuary abroad is a perfect option.

“I’d love to speak to my friends.” I checked their social media a few days ago with Kane but couldn’t contact them directly. I just want to hear their voices and make sure they are okay. I owe them some kind of explanation too. They must be worried.

Reaper hands me his phone and kisses the top of my head, his large warmth melting me in place.

“Thank you,” I say, lingering in the moment.

I sit on the edge of the bed and dial Margo’s number because it’s an easy one to remember. Three three’s, two zero’s, and a couple of twos.

She answers on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Margo, it’s Lexi!” I squeal, unable to contain my delight.

“Hey you, having fun?” she asks sarcastically. She sounds a little drunk and a part of me is jealous. I’m not sure when I’ll be as relaxed as she sounds ever again.

“Babe, it’s been intense, but I just want to see how you are?”

Margo huffs, sounding irritated, and I wonder if I’ve asked for too much.

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