Page 40 of Reaper Razed

When I turn to ask her what she’s on about, she throws a set of keys at me and points to the door. “Close enough?”

“Seriously?”

She just nods. “It’s gonna need some work doing as they’ve been sitting empty for a while, but go inside and have a look.” Putting her hands on my shoulders, she pushes me forward.

With shaky hands, I open the door, and a tear rolls down my cheek.

“Oh, fuck! It’s not that bad, a lick of paint and a bit of elbow grease!” She hugs me into her.

But I’m shaking my head. “No, No, it’s not that. It’s perfect. Can it really be ours?”

“If you want it.” She beams at me.

“Can we move in straight away? We can do the work while we’re here. I love it. I just want to be here now.” I blurt out, and Ray laughs.

Bran walks in behind us, hugging us both. “Whatever you want, beautiful.”

“Can we go get some stuff now? Can we stay here tonight? Please?”

“Sorry, no can do!” Ray butts in and pulls me back out of the door towards the truck.

“Wait? What? You can’t be that mean; show me my dream home, then drag me away from it.” I’m trying to pull back inside, but Bran sweeps me up from behind and walks me towards the truck. “Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

They both just chuckle as we drive off back towards the garage. I cross my arms across my body and pout. I can’t believe they would do that to me.

Climbing out of the truck in front of the garage, Ray throws another set of keys at me. “What’re these for?”

“That door!” Ray points to the door next to the big garage doors. A big window at the side of it is boarded up. “Open it!”

I open the door and step in. Ray flips the lights on. It’s a big space full of junk. There are two doors on the back wall. “I don’t get it.” As I turn around in the space, Ray and Bran are grinning at me.

“You wanted a bakery, maybe a coffee shop? Well, how about here?” Ray grins again.

My jaw hangs open, and tears swell in my eyes. “Seriously? Here? And the cabin? Seriously?”

Bran sweeps in and hugs me. “Only if you want.”

“I want, I want so bad.” I start bouncing on the balls of my feet, and Ray grabs my hand and drags me to the door on the right. It's a large cleaning cupboard with a little sink in it.

“I thought you could make this into a bathroom for your customers.” She drags me to the other door, and as we push through, the space is as big as the front portion. “And here’s your kitchen.” She grins. “There’s enough room for a counter and a few tables out the front, and here is a kitchen to bake everything you want!”

“How much? Where do I sign? When can I start?”

Ray barks out a laugh. “Ares, no doubt, will want free coffee and apple pie for life, but you fix it up. It’s yours, same with the cabin.”

“Fuck, Ray.”

“Demi!” She gasps at my language.

“Shut up and hug me. I can’t believe it.”

“Knock, knock.” Steel comes strolling in with Ares In tow.

I bounce up and down again. “Did you know? Did she tell you? Oh my god, I’m so excited!” I throw my arms around Steel, then Ares. “Oh my god, are you sure? Is this really real? I can have my own store, business, and home?”

“That smile is totally worth it. You're the sister I always wanted.” Ares grins at me and hugs me again.

“What about me?” Ray cocks her head and rests her hands on her hips.

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