Page 22 of Shielding Lexi (Temptation)

“Who’s watching the deck?” he growls.

Hawk and Kane look at each other, as though waiting for the other to go up, then decide to take the helm together. I know they want to stay, and I want them to as well, but someone needs to drive the boat.

Reaper holds me close to his body, rocking with me, comforting me, continuing to murmur the words ‘you’re okay’ in a low rumble. The words reverberate on my chest, soothing me beyond belief, and I almost can’t believe he’s the same person—that he has this in him.

When the terrible screaming noise in my head begins to subside, I lift away from his chest and look up at him, his dark warm eyes calm and steady, not at all scared for what’s happening.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his large hand still on my forearm.

“I remember. I remember everything, Reaper.”

His body stiffens, and he stops stroking my hair, but he doesn’t pull away from me. It’s like his strength and warmth stops the waves from rocking the boat, and I feel safe and secure. He cups my head protectively and murmurs, “Ah ha, go on. What else?”

More tears threaten to spill, but I choke them back, feeling a new sense of strength grow from somewhere deep inside myself. “I’m so sorry. You were right all along.”

“About?” he asks cautiously, waiting for me to say my piece.

“Brick. His people. The whole thing. He’s a bad guy. He forced me to leave my friends behind on vacation and go with him on his boat. He shot a man and tried to stop me from hearing gunshots by playing loud music. But I heard it and I hid from him until it was safe to jump overboard. I don’t remember swimming to the island. All I remember was enormous waves almost drowning me.” It’s impossible to keep the quiver out of my voice and I choke back a sob. “The next thing I remember was waking up in the cabin with you guys.”

“Your name? You remember that?”

“Yes. It’s really Lexi.”

He narrows his eyes. “Okay… so you jumped overboard to get away from Brick?”

My diaphragm begins to shake and my teeth begin to chatter. I can’t tell if it’s from the fever or the reality of my life coming back to me.

“What am I going to do?” I ask, wrapping my arms around myself.

Reaper lifts the blanket to wrap me up. “You’re not going to do anything. Me and the guys are taking over from here.” He stands from the bed. “I have to get back on deck. You want Hawk or Kane down here with you? I don’t want you left alone.” He cocks an eyebrow, waiting for my answer. “Don’t say both. I need help on deck,” he chuckles low in his throat.

Before I have a chance to think it out, Kane thunders down the stairs again, interrupting us. “Everybody okay?” he asks, as though he’s been listening to the whole conversation. I’m sure they both have. I’m glad they care so much.

“She remembers everything, Kane,” Reaper says, passing past his friend on his way back up to the helm of the boat.

Kane runs his hand through his hair and lets out a slow whistle. “Seriously? Fuck. Now what?”

“Now brother,” Reaper growls, “we go to war.”

10

Reaper

When we pull up to the docks, we don’t waste time getting back to the three-bedroom house we share. It’s not on the beach, but it’s still beachside, so the drive back to the house isn’t long. Especially, when we don’t stop for cubanos or empanadas. As much as I want to, we can’t fuck around. If anyone from the Daggers sees Lexi, they’ll tip Brick off to where we are, and they’ll have the upper hand. I want to talk to their Prez first, let him handle the first meeting.

I throw the duffle I’m carrying down on the floor of the bedroom and swing open the door to the spare room. “You can have this space,” I say, clearing my throat. “You should lay back down for a while. You still look a little pale.”

She shakes her head. “Do you mind if I stay out in the living room with you guys? I’m exhausted, but I don’t know if I can sleep, and I don’t want to be alone.”

I shake my head and lead her by the small of her back into the hallway. Her bare back’s still on display as she never tossed the t-shirt back on after the boat trip.

Fuck, what am I doing?I can’t fall for this shit too.I pull my hand away as I think over the reality of what’s transpired.

She admits to being with Brick, she admits to jumping from the boat, and she admits to him being violent and wanting to get away. She’s playing into every nerve I have right now. An innocent girl, charmed by Brick, lied to, taken advantage of… I can’t let it happen again.

Then again, she could’ve told us she’s with Brick to placate what I already know and to get us to let her in while she’s feeding Brick all the information. I’m sure he’d love to take me down too for the parade of attention I caused him.

I pause that thought dramatically. The truth is that Lexi has no way to communicate with anyone, and she’s under our watch twenty-four seven, so it’s probably an impossible thought.

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