Page 24 of Reaper Razed

I knock on the spare room door. “Beauty, it's Ray.” The door flings open, and I’m thrown into the wall by the tiny redhead, arms thrown around me with a big sob! “Hey, is Dozer okay?”

“Fuck, Ray. Yeah! How the hell did you manage to get them all out? Dice is the only one with a small scratch! Who the hell are you?”

Grinning at her, I squeeze her harder. “I’m the motherfucking Reaper!” I whisper, and she barks out a laugh.

“Fuck, girl, I love you forever.”

“Back at ya! Now go look after my brother while I go check on my husband.”

She squeezes me again and slides back into the room. Heading into my room, Steel looks so peaceful. Fuck. I take a shaky breath as Bran steps in behind me, sliding his arms around me.

Taking another shaky breath, I ask, “What if they make me choose?”

“They won’t!”

“You don’t know that.” I close my eyes and drop my head back onto him for support. “I can’t lose him, Bran. I just can’t!”

“You know we’ve got your back, always.”

“It’s not as simple as that, Bran, and you know it.”

He squeezes me tighter and says, “I won’t let you lose him. Stay here. I’ll go to the office to get this sorted.”

“No, I need to find out. I need to get the answers. It’s fucking Gerald, of all people. Just stay with them, yeah. Message me when they wake up. I’ll be back when I know something.”

He hugs me again before I turn and leave. I can't even hug or kiss Steel if I do I know I won’t leave, and shit is hitting the fan already, it looks like I’m on cleanup!

Dane

The tires screech as we pull in at the side of the armoured vehicle Ray has just got out of.

“What the fuck’s going on? You said to get here fast. What’s up?” I bark out in slight panic.

Two guys get out of the vehicle in their full tactical gear and gas masks. They open the doors and start dragging Steel, Dice and Dozer out of it, laying them on the ground still out cold.

“Bran, Tank, Priest, Blade. I need Dozer and Steel taking to my place, straight to the bathroom and stripping. They need scrubbing. They're covered in tear gas. Then put them to bed and keep an eye on them. They do not leave the apartment till I get back. Dane and Ares, can you take Dice to his room and do the same?”

Ray turns to head back into the vehicle. But Ares stops her. I don't listen. I head over to Dice and start to lift him, Bran helps me get him up, and I throw him over my shoulder.

“I’ve got him,” I say to Bran once he's secure on my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m sure you do, little brother!” Bran grins at me before heading over to the other guys to grab Steel and Dozer.

Walking into the bar, there’s a guy cleaning some glasses. “Hey man, can you show me where Dice's room is and let me in?”

“Sure, kid!” He steps in front of me till he gets to Dice's door, then opens it for me to walk in. “You need a hand?”

“Nah, I’m good, thanks. Can you get someone to make a sandwich for us both, but wrap it up and send some fizzy drink or orange juice, something sweet if possible? That would be great. Thanks, Barbie.”

He grins at me. “I didn’t know you knew my name!”

“I make a point to know who’s important to my sister.” I smile back.

“I’ll have everything brought to you straight away, kid!”

Walking into Dice's room, I kick my way into the bathroom, leaning him against the wall on the toilet. I step into the shower and get it running, rinsing my hands while I’m in there, grabbing some towels, pulling the duvet back, and laying them on the bed. Fuck, how the hell am I gonna do this? I grab some boxers from his drawer, placing them on the bedside table. What else do I need?

I spin around as Barbie walks back in. “Hey, kid, here’s what you wanted. I’ll put it down over here. My number’s next to the sandwiches in case you need anything. Drop me a text, and I will have it sent over!”

---