 
Reaper's Claim
Chapter One

Simone Elise

Copyright © 2017 by Simone Elise. Smashwords Editions. All rights reserved.

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All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

# Prologue

It was a love so strong that it was undying, impossible to destroy. It was the type of love that filled novel pages and romance movies aimed to feature. Every bone in my body ached with warning; every muscle stiffened with fear at the thought of him, but the stubborn person I was didn't listen to my own body's warning.

He was a flame able to burn through me. He was the flame, and I was the moth, unknowing of the harm this man could cause or the power that he would one day hold over me.

If I knew then what I know now, would I still let myself be drawn to him? I often asked myself this question.

As I stared into his misty gray-black eyes, I had my answer; I would do everything the same because I loved him, and this love was worth everything I faced for being with him—every torment, every second glance, every argument I was sure to have with my father. It was all worth it.

# Chapter 1

Jed Harrison

My club was in chaos. In fact, everything I held dear was in chaos. The girls hadn't stopped fighting since the funeral.

My men had chosen the perfect timing to act up when I couldn't do a fucking thing. The club's business connections were slowly becoming less and less and as for us being a club that earned – well, it wasn't happening. I was barely getting enough cash to pay the ranking members.

My ranking members were doing jack shit. Sure, when my wife was first diagnosed with breast cancer, they all had something to say to me. But now she was in her final days, I couldn't get one member to do what was expected of them.

I wasn't a fool, there was no way I could raise two girls. I wasn't parent material. I wasn't any material. I sure as fuck wasn't a role model. But I wasn't letting anyone take my girls either.

" _Abby will need someone to balance out her kindness, so don't expect a prince to take her heart. Expect the devil to."_ My wife's words repeated in my head. _"As for Kim, she is exactly like you. You'll know better than anyone what she is up to."_

As I lit up my cigarette, reading a message from the International President about a boy he had just labeled the Reaper. Apparently, this 'Reaper' was going to be cleaning up our enemies list. Wasn't like I really had a say, it was basically a polite message from our International President giving me a heads up. He wasn't asking my permission.

Little did I know that when I sent a text back, saying I approved of the boy taking the position (that our International President had personally crafted for him) - he, _the Reaper_ , would be the devil of death my Abby would bring home.

Six Years Later

Abby

Everyone gets an upbringing. Everyone is taught the essentials of life by their parents, and sometimes the parents' essentials of life aren't always the best. I learned to roll a cigarette before I was taught to tie my shoelaces. I suppose in most families this is considered odd, but in ours, it was normal.

My father, Jed Harrison, was President of Satan's Sons Mother Charter. He was a hard, rough man who was absent for most of my childhood. My sister, Kim Harrison, was tall and blonde, and eyes were naturally drawn to her. She had the ability to draw the attention of any man and didn't have to do much to hold it. She was also my twin.

We shared similar features—both tall, slim, and blonde, but if you looked closely enough, we had noticeable differences. To most people, the differences were too small. It didn't help either that we lived with only males.

The MC was positioned in the bushland on ten acres at the top of a large hill. The main house, garage, and pub were fenced off with barbed wire, which sent the clear message—fuck off.

The clubhouse wasn't a traditional one. It was a large four-story brick house. Dad had renovated it to fit the needs of the club. This meant extra bedrooms, a boardroom, and an open living space.

When we had larger functions, the larger bar was opened. It was complete with pool tables, TVs on every wall, and rooms down the hall for when couples could not make it back to the main house.

Kim and I were brought up on the brother's code and understood the world that to most was a mystery. We knew the differences between club women and "old ladies." Dad always said, a brother's old lady only knows what he tells her, and we are never to interfere. So we kept our mouths shut.

Dad often made us tag along on club runs, the non-dangerous ones. He took our safety seriously and didn't trust anyone with it.

Mom left us, but she didn't do it by choice. Breast cancer took her from us. Kim and I were only young, barely ten. It didn't just hurt losing her; it tore us apart. Kim and I once got on. After Mom's death, we couldn't be in the same room without wanting to kill each other.

Dad did his best, but he wasn't born to be a parent and hell, he never wanted to be a dad. He was meant to be the distant dad that showed up every once in a while, told us he loved us, then rode off again, but he had to take us on full time, and that really threw a firecracker in his idea of parenting.

So we grew up in the clubhouse; not the best of places to raise two growing girls, but the boys took us under their wings, too, and not once did they hurt us.

My best memories are ones around bikers—tattooed, criminal bikers.

Kim threw herself into shopping, flirting, and makeup. I threw myself into art, study, and removed myself as far away from people as possible. Kim loved high school; I hated it.

Dad, or Roach as he was known around the club, didn't care what we did as long as we were happy, and I guess in our twisted way, we were.

Kim was happy stealing smokes from biker's jackets and sneaking off with boys. I was happy in my room drawing in my notepad. The years slowly moved on, and before long, I was sixteen; or should I say, we turned sixteen.

My interests stayed the same: I drew, went to school, and I guess, all in all—minus swearing and the occasional punch-up—I was a model student and the daughter that didn't cause Dad's head to explode every five minutes, unlike my sister.

Kim's interests in boys had disappeared, and while I strongly believe it was because she screwed her way through them all already, she would say it was because she grew up. The real reason was that she had the hots for Dad's Vice President, Trigger.

My dad was blind to Kim's open attraction for Trigger, but the rest of the world wasn't; at least, I wasn't. Every time I looked up, it seemed one of the two was giving the other suggestive looks.

What Kim saw in him I didn't know and why she would want to go there—where oh so many other women had been before—was beyond me. He was a man, she was barely a girl, and yet those factors didn't seem to stop either of them.

Trigger was the stereotypical biker. When he wasn't checking out my sister, he was either bashing someone's brains in or working on his Harley. He had the height that shadowed everyone, muscles that bulged, and he wore a pissed-off look really well.

Dad had told me Trigger was the best Vice President he could have asked for. He was one that didn't mind to "get his hands dirty." Personally, he creeped me the fuck out and if I could avoid him, I would at all costs.

Being brought up in a clubhouse meant two things—I knew what sex was before any other kid my age, and I was bartending as soon as I could hold a glass and pour a steady drink, which pretty much led me to this point of my life—me serving drunken, swearing bikers from behind a bar and Kim over in the corner giving Trigger "fuck me" eyes.

***

I poured Gitz—his real name Brad—another stiff shot. He, unlike everyone else, wasn't into the roaring party that Dad held for a visiting charter gang. He hadn't left the bar, and he hadn't stopped pushing his empty glass back to me, either.

Gitz was in his early twenties; he swore a lot and slept with a lot of the club women, but one called Lilly always had his attention. She had left the previous week, and even though Gitz had voted against it, Dad let her leave the club after seven years of service.

Club women are owned by the club and, like the bikers, they are sworn in. Unlike the bikers, though, they aren't given respect and are usually referred to as club pussy.

I guessed that was why Gitz drank so heavily and ignored the party around him. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he liked Lilly, and it was his stupid pride that stopped him from claiming her as his old lady. From what Lilly told me, that was part of the reason she left.

"Abby, sweetheart!" Dad slammed his beer down on the counter, his face red and flushed with excitement. "Ya need a break, darling?"

Bartending was not where I saw my life heading, but I didn't fight it. "No, Dad, I'm fine." I flashed him a smile, refilled Gitz's drink, and then pulled a few beers out of the fridge.

"Have a break, sweetheart; you've been filling Gitz's drink all day now." Dad waved his drunken hand for me to leave and not wanting to get into an argument, I stepped out of the way and let another guy, Tom, take over.

"I might get some fresh air then." I patted Dad on the shoulder and walked past him. When Dad drank, his hard exterior slowly softened. It was one of the rare moments when I was reminded of my childhood father. Not the 'Roach' that everyone knew my father as.

I weaved my way through the crowds until my hand landed on the back door and I stepped outside into the fresh air.

The dimly-lit alleyway was centered between the pub and the house. It was where we kept the rubbish bins, and it wasn't the door we mainly used, but it was my quick getaway. I headed up the alley when I heard the back door open behind me.

I turned around, interested. No one else used that door, and I froze when my eyes landed on his drunken ones. My blood ran cold, and I knew instantly I was fucked.

Reaper

A drunken man has a happy soul—my dad brought me up believing that, and there I was, twenty years old, staggering out of the back door of the clubhouse. The Mother Charter knows how to throw a welcome party.

I leaned against a rubbish bin, trying very hard to keep the booze down, when I heard a scream. Glancing around the darkened backyard, I couldn't see anything out of place. Then I heard the scream again followed by a hushed conversation. The thumping music from the clubhouse and loud roar of drunken men muffled the sounds, and I couldn't be sure if it was my drunken mind playing tricks on me.

Placing one hand on the wall, I followed it around until I reached the end of the pub. She screamed and slammed her tiny fists on the man's shoulder. I blinked away the drunken blur that was creeping across my vision, fighting not to pass out.

"I'm not Kim!" she yelled, frantic, and continued to hit him.

The more she moved, the more she was trapped. He had her pinned against the wall, rubbing himself against her. He wasn't interested in what she was saying, and I knew there was only one thing going through his mind.

I took a step back and thought to back away completely—it wasn't my place to get in the way—but found myself moving towards them.

"Get off, Trigger!" she yelled. The terror and panic in her voice coated each word.

"Oi!" I screamed down the alley, and I knew he would have heard me, but being the drunken prick he was, he ignored me. "You heard her. Get off her!"

Trigger got his name because he was always the first to pull the bloody thing. He was a full-on dick, and we had been in numerous punch-ups.

"Fuck off, Reaper. This is between me and my girlfriend." Rage spread across Trigger's face as he spat the words at me.

Although the Brother's Code was to never get in the way of another brother's dick, I took one step closer to him, giving him plenty of warning. "She's not into it. Now back the fuck off."

Temper control wasn't my strong point, and the alcohol fueled my rage. I glanced at the girl; she was terrified, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"I'm not fucking Kim," she yelled in his face and pushed him again with all her strength, but it didn't even move him.

She was weak, small, and after taking a second glance, it was apparent that she was young, too.

I warned him; he didn't listen. I let my temper get the best of me, moved forward, and grabbed him by the back of the neck. "Did ya not fucking hear me? I said get the fuck off her!" Grabbing his collar, I threw him backward, ripping his flirty hands off her.

He fumed. I could nearly see the steam coming out of his ears. I baited him with my eyes, wanting him to charge at me—nothing like a fight over a woman—though, in this case, it might be a girl.

"Whatever." He glanced at her, his eyes scorching. "I'll fuck you later, Kim."

I watched him stagger off, bastard of a VP he was. Prez actually had respect for that little shit.

I turned back to look at her. Her breathing was heavy as she leaned against the wall. Her eyes met mine, and that was it; she went into meltdown. Her tears flowed faster, and they weren't stopping. I hated crying women more than I hated the fucking law, but I didn't leave her.

"Come on, darling, calm down. He's gone now." I placed my hand on her shoulder, dropping my head so I could look into her blurry eyes.

I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. I stood there, looking more like a noob with every second that passed.

Her sobs soon turned into hysterics, causing her breathing to sharpen.

Fuck. What the hell do I do? I wished I had paid more attention to fucking Dr. Phil, or some other shitty daytime TV program.

I brushed the blonde hair from her face, which stuck to her pearly white skin. I had never seen anyone cry as much as her.

"Come on, darling, calm down." I rubbed her shoulder, standing in front of her awkwardly. I was so far out of my fucking depth; I should have just stayed at the fucking rubbish bin.

She dropped her head onto my chest and I wrapped my arms around her, and she continued to weep, soon soaking my tee shirt with tears.

My heartbeat drummed faster. This young girl trusted me enough to let me touch her. She didn't even know me, but she clung to me for dear life. Her small frame curved into my chest perfectly. I kept my arms wrapped around her, feeling like I was protecting her from the whole darn world.

"I... he..." she stuttered into my chest. "If you hadn't come..." She pulled her head away from my chest and looked up at me. "Thank you."

I stared down into her crystal blue eyes, which were framed by red puffy circles.

"Thank you, Kade." Fat tears slid down her cheeks, but she kept her eyes locked on mine.

"You know me?" I would remember meeting her because she didn't have a face or a body any man would ever forget.

"You're Satan's Sons Western Charter's VP." She swallowed sharply. "Everyone knows you."

"Not everyone, sweetheart." My lips twitched into a smirk, and I couldn't stop myself from wiping underneath her eyes with the back of my sleeve. "You ok now?"

She nodded her head. "I think so." Her long eyelashes blinked up at me. "Thanks, Kade. I owe you one."

I could count on one hand how many people called me Kade: my mother, father, my brother, my Prez when he was pissed off, and this sweet girl.

I was called 'Reaper' before stepping into the VP position I was in charge of, ridding the world of dead weight.

"Do you want me to take you home?" I asked the girl, watching as she continued to wipe away angry tears. Though when I thought about it, I was far from a fit state to be in control of any motor vehicle.

How a sweet little thing ended up here, I didn't know, but hopefully, this would teach her to stay the hell away from places like this and the people that dwelled in them.

"No." She shook her head. "I live here."

At the Satan's Sons clubhouse? I looked her up and down again. She looked too young to be a club whore or as some refer to them, club property. She didn't look like one either. She didn't look like the type of girl that should be hanging around a clubhouse filled with dirty bikers. She looked like the type of girl a guy like me would never have a chance with.

"How old are you?" I asked her. I felt my curiosity build each time I stared down into those crystal blue eyes.

"Sixteen." Her eyes locked with mine. "Why?"

If you were legal, baby girl... damn the gods for creating such temptation.

"Bit young to be hanging around here, aren't you?" I placed my arm on the wall, keeping her there. Her eyes did not drop from mine once.

Darn, girl, you don't even know how powerful those blue opals of yours are yet.

"Like I said, I live here." She closed her eyes briefly and then looked down at the ground. "Can I ask something of you?"

She could ask me anything, and I would answer. Her beauty was worth going to war for. I could only imagine what she looked like in the sunlight. I was sure these dark shadows and the night sky were hiding most of her beauty from me.

"Sure, sweetheart, ask away."

"Don't tell my father." She placed her hand on my chest. "He loves Trigger. Kim is just a fucking idiot."

Who the fuck is Kim? More important, who the fuck was her father?

I was about to ask her both questions but stopped when someone called my name.

"REAPER!" Banger roared. His drunken arse walked around the corner.

I hurried to block her from Banger's view. "What?" I roared up the alley at him.

"Prez wants ya." He took a long drink of his beer and then tossed the bottle to the side.

I glanced back at the girl, but she wasn't looking at me; she stared down at the ground. The black Metallica t-shirt gripping her body had worked its way up, exposing the soft skin of her midriff.

"Are you alright by yourself?" I asked. I really didn't want to leave her, and that bothered me. Why the hell did I care if this girl was alright or not? I had done the gentleman thing—my duty to her was over, but still I didn't move.

"Yep." Her blonde hair fell to the side as she glanced up at me. "I'll be fine."

I didn't believe her, but Banger snapped at me to hurry up. I nodded my head regretfully, taking three steps before pausing and looking back at her. "Pity you aren't fucking legal."

"The forbidden is always more desirable." The corner of her lips twitched upward, and for the first time, I saw her smile. I knew right then it wasn't something I would ever forget, and I wanted to punch myself for admitting that.

I nodded my head, shooting her a grin before walking up the alley to Banger, who was ranting about me taking my sweet time. I didn't look back at her, but I fucking wanted to.

***

Roach was a hard, cold, mean bastard of a man. If you didn't know him, you wouldn't give him a second look for fear he might rip your throat out. He was the Satan's Sons MC President. His VP, Trigger, was sitting next to him, and both of them were sitting directly across from me and my Prez, Dane. A few other people occupied the table, too: Banger and Bleach on our side, and Gitz and Cameron on theirs.

I lit a cigarette and glared at Trigger.

"We agreed to help shift ya guns, brother, but we didn't agree to inherit your war with the Soldiers." Roach took a long drag on his cigarette.

"The Soldiers aren't worth our bullets," Banger barked. "We're dealing with it; got nothing to do with you."

"They shot up my garage, brother. That makes us a part of it," Roach barked back.

It appeared that the meeting was not going to solve anything. Everyone was hungover and nerves were raw. Before the boys could open their mouths and begin a pointless argument, a blood-curdling scream roared throughout the room. Everyone jumped.

"Oh fuck me; shit just got real." Gitz shook his head, and within a minute the double doors behind them blew open and in walked a very angry redhead.

"Dad!"

Roach spun around in his chair. "What the fuck have you done to your head?!" he roared, getting to his feet.

Dad? Roach has a daughter. I glanced at Dane, but he didn't seem shocked by it.

"I didn't fucking do it! I fucking woke up with it!" she screamed at him. "It was fucking Abby!"

She was swearing like a man and screaming like a maniac. I guess the apple didn't fall too far from the tree with these two. I wondered how long it would be until she too was shooting people and blackmailing cops.

"Abby!" Roach screamed.

"We came for a fucking meeting, not family drama," I hissed in Prez's ear. They were wasting time. I was all for spending time with brothers and shit, but I was hungover and the last thing I needed to witness or hear was a whiny, spoiled brat complaining to her old man. This is why you shield up before entering any woman.

"Brother, you'll be thanking him in a minute." He grinned with a knowing look in his eyes.

I glanced back up and then there she was, wearing the same tee shirt from the night before, only now with a pair of shorts that were extremely short.

She crossed her arms and glared at the redhead. I looked between the two and ran my eyes over the features of the redhead. They were fucking twins—identical twins—and the only difference was the red hair.

"What did you do, Abby?" Roach fumed. "Why did you dye ya sister's hair?"

"Because it was either dye mine, dye hers, or cut all her hair off." Abby shrugged her shoulders but kept her face deadly calm. It was the kind of calm you would expect to see before a storm.

"Red, Dad, fucking red!" The evil twin stomped her foot, threatening to cry.

"Abby, ya better start fucking explaining yourself!" Roach roared at her, and I couldn't stop the glare that I shot his way.

Roach was the size of two normal-sized men. He was big, intimidating, and I really didn't like him speaking to her like that. I didn't know why it bothered me. I lit a cigarette and couldn't look away even if I wanted to.

"I felt like it," she hissed at him with fire in her eyes.

"We are about to get a show," Bleach sneered.

"I sometimes feel like fucking throwing you two out on the streets. Doesn't mean I'd fucking do it!" he roared.

"It's red, Dad," the redhead sobbed.

"Now look what you've done, Abby," Roach patted the redhead on the back.

"Oh god forbid, Kimberly cries," she spat, glaring at her sister.

"ENOUGH!" Roach pointed a finger at her. "Fucking explain ya-self, Abby, before ya end up living on the fucking streets."

"Oh come on, Dad. I've done her a favor. Now she can re-fuck her way through every guy in town as the red harlot."

"DAD!" Kim roared and reared back her fist to hit her sister. Roach stepped in between them, keeping them separated.

"Every fucking day I wish... I wish I had fucking boys!" he roared.

Abby continued to glare at her sister, and I had a strong feeling I knew why she had decided to attack her sister's hair.

Trigger leaned back in his chair, grinning. "You know, Kim. I like it. Makes you look older," he spoke up, running his eyes over Kim.

Kim blushed bright red.

Would Roach be okay with his VP fucking his underage daughter? The look of rage on Roach's face gave me my answer.

"She's still fucking sixteen," Roach roared down at his VP. "And you better stop fucking looking at her like that before I rip ya cock off."

I guess he didn't know about what his VP got up to with his daughter after all. I glanced back at Abby, only to have her eyes lock with mine.

I had gone unnoticed until now. She gulped, and then her eyes snapped to the ground.

My seat creaked as I sat up straight. I wanted her to look back at me. Why the fuck won't she look at me?

"Boys. All I wanted was fucking boys," Roach muttered under his breath, glancing between his two girls. "Well then, how are we going to settle this?"

"I want to kill her," Kimberly snarled.

"With what, Kim? A pair of your high heels?" Abby scoffed.

"You think you're so bloody clever, bookworm." Kim spat, glaring fiercely at Abby. "Why don't you do the world a fucking favor and go back to your fucking bedroom and stay there?"

"Do you even know how to spell the word 'favor?'" she threw back, taunting her sister.

I liked her. I fucking liked that fire in her eyes.

"Enough!" Roach roared over their ranting. "I'm in a fucking meeting." He waved his arm around the room. "This is my fucking CLUBHOUSE." The veins in his neck bulged.

"Calm down, Dad." Abby's eyes softened, and she patted her old man's arm. "You'll give yourself a heart attack."

"Yeah, Dad, chill, would you." Kim patted his other arm.

"I need a break," he snarled, "from your bullshit and your bullshit." He looked between the two. "Always fucking fighting, always fucking ranting. ALWAYS FUCKING BRINGING ME INTO IT!"

His roaring was enough to make the windows shake, and every man in this room flinched, but Abby and Kim didn't seem the least bit fussed by it.

"Look what you've done," Abby snapped at her sister.

"What I've done?" Kim glared back, taking the bait. "You dyed my hair, bitch!"

"Yeah, and we both know why," she snapped back. "And if you don't settle down your fucking rant attack, I'm going to tell Dad."

Roach stood solidly between them while they threatened each other, acting like he wasn't even there.

"Tell me what?" he piped up.

"Do you want to kill him?" Kim's voice had an edge to it.

It was as if I was watching a fucking movie, though Abby was hotter than any actress. Down, Kade. Underage, remember? Abby was an underage pussy that I had no right to be thinking about.

"I would love to." Abby crossed her arms. "You know I have nothing to lose."

"You want me dead, Abby?" Roach roared into the conversation.

"Shut up, Dad; we aren't talking about you." Kim raised a hand in her father's face.

Trigger looked a hell of a lot more nervous now. He knew what he had been doing the night before.

One glance at the twins and I could tell them apart now, and it wasn't just the red hair.

Abby had softness in her eyes. She was slightly taller; her breasts appeared to be made for my hands, and she had an ass all men would watch when she walked away. Kim's breasts were smaller, and she had a flat ass. Not to mention, she looked and dressed like a club whore. One glance and you would know who was who.

"Fine. I'll back down." Kim crossed her arms.

"You don't have to. Really, I would love to tell Dad what you told me last night." Abby applied a bit more pressure to the situation until her sister spun around, her long red hair flicking around her face.

"Sorry for bothering you, Dad. We have this all sorted." Kim shot her dad a big grin and then put her hand out. "I need money."

"For what?" Roach sounded a bit more relaxed.

"For a new wardrobe. I have red hair now."

"I didn't know whore came in any other color," Abby spoke up.

"Says the ugly twin." Kim rolled her eyes.

Roach slapped a big wad of cash in Kim's hand. "Get out. Fuck off, the two of you."

Kim planted a kiss on her dad's cheek. "See ya tonight, Dad." She shot a glare in Abby's direction and a lustful wink at Trigger, and then walked out.

Abby started to follow her, but Roach wrapped his hand around her upper arm, stopping her. "Abby."

"Yes, Dad?" She turned around and looked up at him with no expression.

"You gonna tell me what really happened?"

"No."

"Did someone hurt you?"

"No."

"Are you lying?"

"No."

He shook his head, his face softening. "You're lying, little one."

I had seen Roach kill a man in cold blood. I had seen many sides to this man, but I had never seen the soft, gentle one. I looked at Dane, and he grinned back at me. I guess being a father does weird things to a grown man.

"I'm fine, Dad. Sorry for interrupting your meeting." A weak smile traced her lips.

He pulled her into a hug, ripping her up from the ground. Then finally, she looked me in the eye while hugging her old man, looking over his shoulder at me. Her feet dangled in the air as Roach hugged her.

Darn, she was beautiful.

"Do you want to stay for the meeting, little one?" He put her down, rubbing the top of her head. "We're talking about the Soldiers."

This was club business. Skirts did not belong in the middle of club business.

"I think the room is a bit full. I'll see you tonight." She was blocked from my view, but I could still hear her voice.

"Righteo, little one. Off ya go then."

Abby closed the two large wooden doors behind her. Roach slumped back in his chair and reached for his bottle of beer.

"Don't have fucking girls. Let that be a lesson to you young blokes," he grunted.

Dane grumbled a deep laugh as both of them shared some fatherly joke together.

The meeting continued, but I wouldn't lie and say my mind wasn't on a sixteen-year old's blue opal eyes and killer body.

Abby

Embarrassment was something I was used to. Growing up around so many men and being as clumsy as I am, it just came with the territory. But this morning, I got a huge dose—close to an overdose—when I was not only ranted at by Kim but also had told off my dad, all in front of the man I hadn't been able to stop thinking about all night.

Kade Wilson; also known as Reaper.

No woman could lie and say they didn't find him attractive. He had a bad-boy appeal, and even a saint would fall for his looks—those deep dark eyes, that sexy smile, and that body. I knew it wasn't just my hormones lusting after him because any female with a pair of eyes would be doing the same.

I was singing off-tune, loudly, to a Metallica track when my dad broke into my bedroom.

"Dad, ever heard of knocking?" I snapped before bending down and swooping up my paintbrush. Great, another stain on my carpet.

"Better start explaining why the hell I just got a letter from the school, Abby." He waved a piece of paper in my face.

I snapped it from his grasp and read over the finely written letter, which detailed a suspension—my suspension.

"I didn't do anything." I was gobsmacked. The letter stated I was being suspended for abusing a teacher. Sure, I might be a bit of a spitfire at times, but I couldn't remember one occasion where I had abused a teacher.

"The letter is telling me otherwise," Dad grunted, not buying my denial.

"I didn't do this." I gave him back the piece of paper. "They must have gotten Kim and me mixed up because I don't even have Mrs. Matthews as a teacher!"

I watched as Dad thought it over. Finally, he blew out a deep breath and turned around sharply. "KIMBERLY!" He closed my door on the way out and roared down the hall.

Kim was suspended, again. What a surprise.

I looked back at my painting. There was something off and I couldn't decide what it was, but something was missing from the abstract piece of art. Maybe I just needed a break from it.

I was cleaning the paintbrush in my bathroom sink when I heard Dad's big boots storm back into my room.

"Abby, I can't find Kim."

I looked up at my mirror and saw my dad's reflection staring behind me.

"Well, I wouldn't have a clue where she is." I could guess, though; it was the same place Trigger was. I did like my sister—just a little bit—and I knew that telling Dad that Kim was sleeping with Trigger would bring a whole lot of hell down on her.

"You cut yourself?" Dad stepped closer, looking into the sink filled with red.

"No, just paint." I showed him the clean brushes. "I'm not that stupid, Dad."

"Good. Don't want you doing any of that cutting with razors shit. Too pretty for scars, baby girl." He ruffled my hair. "I'm heading out for a while. I'll be back before the party tonight."

"Um, Dad," I spun around. "Is the Western Charter still staying?"

"They haven't ridden out; I expect them to in the next few days though." He narrowed his eyes, looking down at me with suspicion. "Why?"

"Just wondering how many I will be bartending for." I hid my real reason behind a smile.

Kade was still here. He hadn't left, which meant maybe I could redeem myself. I didn't want him to look at me like I was a little girl.

***

The booming laughter came from the lounge in the clubhouse, which could be heard from my room two floors up.

I closed my bedroom door and walked up the hallway. Kim popped her head out of her room.

Red hair... I couldn't help the evil grin. Serves her right for not controlling her boyfriend and letting him loose; Trigger knew it wasn't Kim the night before.

But Kim, in her rage, wouldn't hear of it. Instead, she ranted about how he would have done me a favor finally popping my cherry. She was disgusting at times, but I knew she said it out of rage: she didn't mean it.

She was more hurt that Trigger couldn't tell us apart when we were complete opposites. He could darn well tell us apart now; I made sure of that.

"Are you going out tonight?" Kim asked, walking next to me.

"Yep." This always happened. We would have a major fight, and then hours later we would pretend it didn't happen. It was easier than saying sorry.

"Trigger is meant to be breaking away from Dad later. I was hoping you could stay home and make sure we weren't missed." She had the guts to ask for a favor. God, she knew how to outdo herself.

"Just give Dad a few beers. He will soon forget about where his gay VP is. He was looking for you this morning."

We took the stairs two at a time.

"Yeah well, he found me. Stupid school. Honestly, they have it out for me. Please, Abby." She grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Please do this for me. Come on, my hair is fucking red for god's sake!"

After a few seconds of tossing the idea around, I sighed. "Fine, but you better warn that boyfriend of yours. If he comes near me again, I'm telling Dad."

"Yeah, yeah." She waved her hand, making light of it.

"Not yeah, yeah, Kim. I mean it."

We walked up the hallway and into the bar. The lounge and bar were an open space; it was huge and completely filled with bikers.

The girls weren't wearing much, and the blokes weren't hiding their lust. Many of them had hands up the shirts of the whores and had them pinned against walls, against the bar, on the couch, on the pool table. It was funny how I was so used to it that I didn't even look twice.

"I'll see you later," Kim whispered in my ear before stalking off, making fuck me eyes at Trigger.

God, those two make me sick.

Within five minutes, I watched Trigger disappear out the club door following Kim's footsteps.

I swiped a beer from the counter and made my way over to the pool table. Gitz and Cameron were attempting to play, though I was sure it was harder to play having a woman wrapped under your arm.

"Are you heading out, Abby?" Gitz asked me, holding a pool stick and sitting at the table, some woman's hands all over him. He seemed a lot better since last night. He was either putting on a brave face or he really was over it.

"It's your turn, Gitz," Cameron shouted before driving his lips onto a brunette's.

I sighed and slumped into the couch. The music was pounding and so was the laughter; everyone seemed to be having a great night. Then there was me, sitting here, bored shitless.

I scanned the crowd and spotted Dad leaning against the bar, laughing and talking to the Satan's Sons Western Charter's President, Dane.

If he was still here, I wondered if that meant Reaper was, too.

I walked across the room, and then when Dad was within arm's reach, I swooped in under his arm.

He kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arm around me, all the while keeping up with the conversation.

I could hear his heart beating through his leather cut, and I loved it. It reminded me of my childhood, all the times I fell asleep by his side after having a nightmare.

"Are you alright, darling?" Dad looked down at me.

I nodded my head and just held on to him a bit tighter.

Most guys in the room had a whore clinging to them, not their daughter, but I knew Dad didn't mind. He never minded.

Dane and Dad kept talking, laughing, and joking. The hours slowly ticked by.

I let go of Dad and yawned. "I'm going to get a drink."

He nodded his head and let me go.

I leaned across the bar and poured myself a drink. The bartender was busy up at the top end filling order after order.

"Should you be drinking that, sweetheart?" Reaper's voice whisked across my ear, and I could feel him standing behind me. His chest pressed against my back, and he reached around me and wrapped his hand around the glass in my hand. "Or should I be taking that off ya?"

My eyes were glued to his hand. It engulfed mine, and the metal of the reaper ring he wore pressed into my skin.

"I'm allowed to drink." My heart was pounding faster than a heart attack, and I was sure my voice wavered with nervousness.

His laughter was deep and thick and it rumbled through his body, sending chills through mine.

"I've been waiting for ya to leave ya Dad's side."

I slowly turned around and looked up into his deep dark eyes. He kept his arm behind me, pinning me between him and the bar. Not a bad place to be pinned, I thought.

"Why would that be, Kade?"

"Wanted to see if you were alright after last night. Did you tell anyone about what happened?"

"I told Kim."

"Bet she didn't believe ya. Nice work on the hair, by the way."

A smile twitched on my lips. "Thanks."

"Seems those two aren't anywhere to be found."

"Hence why I am trying to make sure that Dad doesn't pick up on that." I sipped from the plastic cup—Dad made sure the bar only stocked plastic cups after so many incidents with glasses.

"You're covering for her even when she is a complete bitch?" He frowned. "You are twisted, woman."

Woman.

"I'm sure she will do the same for me when I need her to." I swallowed the whiskey quickly. It burned my throat on the way down.

Kade's eyes went darker for a moment before he pulled away and scanned the crowd. "Ya old man looks busy. Can we split for a bit?"

Did Kade want to go somewhere with me? He wanted to talk to me, alone. For an instant, I thought I knew how a heart attack must feel like. Swallowing sharply, I ordered myself to keep my shit together.

"Ok." I glanced at Dad, who was still busy chatting with Dane. He didn't seem to notice that I wasn't around. "Where do you want to go?"

A dangerous smile spread across his face, one that would be sure to scare a smart woman away. "Only one place a biker wants a girl."

"In his bed?" I raised an eyebrow, teasing him. Why I felt relaxed around him, able to flirt with him, I didn't know. Being around him brought out a confidence I didn't usually have around men, but at the same time, he had the ability to make my confidence crumble. What do you call that?

"Nah, babe." He leaned closer, dipping his head to the side, his eyes not leaving mine. "On the back of his bike."

He pulled his keys from his pocket and shot me a wink. Then it happened. It wasn't Kim following the biker out; it was me.

How many times had I promised myself I wouldn't be that girl? I wouldn't be like her, but there I was, following Kade aka 'Reaper' out into the club's car park.

I'm supposed to be the smart one.

# Chapter 2

Reaper

The road was dead, the night sky as black as the sea, the air whipping through me. Her thin arms were wrapped around me, clinging to my back, holding on tightly.

I had an angel on the back of my bike. Sure, she was young, and there was no fucking way anything was going to happen, but still she was on my bike, clinging to me.

I had gotten her out of the club party, stealing all her attention.

The bike glued to the road as we climbed the hill, turning into the corners. The park was dimly lit, but the view was as good as I had remembered.

I pulled the bike to the curb and cut the engine.

"The view is amazing," Abby gushed. She was quick to get off my bike to admire it. "I haven't been up here in years."

I didn't like the fact she wasn't clinging to me anymore, but I would deal with it. I had to deal with it. She unclipped my helmet and handed it back to me.

"How did you know about the Black Hill Lookout?" she asked, walking off into the park.

The city lights were below us, and I was quick to put the kickstand out and lean the bike down to follow her.

"Not my first time in town, baby." I pulled a cigarette from my leather vest and lit it, not taking my eyes off her back.

Damn that frame, so bloody perfect.

She whipped around, her blonde hair swiping across her face. "How come you haven't been to the club before if you've been in town?"

"The clubs weren't always brothers." I smirked at her innocence. She had too good of a soul for the likes of me.

Her mouth formed an "O" in understanding and then slowly, a smile spread across her lips.

"So you were the enemy once."

"I suppose, darlin'. What are ya getting at?"

Before the charter was patched over to Satan's Sons, our club was known as Widowers. Now I rode for a club name that I once shot up; it was just the way the brotherhood worked, I guess.

"I really know how to pick them," she muttered to herself, shaking her head before turning back around and looking at the city lights. "How long are you in town for?"

"Ride out tomorrow."

"So tonight's your last night in town?"

"What are ya getting at, babe?" I moved to stand behind her, placing my hand on her small hip. She froze at my touch, and my heart rate quickened. Fuck. I shouldn't have touched her. Then she relaxed, slowly turning around.

"Nothing." Those opal blue eyes stared up at me. She let out a long sigh. "Why did you bring me here?"

"You were bored; I could see it in ya eyes. Thought ya might like to get away."

I played it smart. I wanted to steal all her attention, and then she might not think I was a complete stalking prick.

"Thanks." She smiled. "So, Kade..." she slowly bit that juicy bottom lip of hers, amusement flashing across her face. "You going to kiss me already or are you going to just keep staring at me?"

I took a sharp breath. "What the fuck did you just say?"

I didn't need her to repeat it. It burned into my ears, but still I didn't believe it. She looked smart, but right now she wasn't acting it. I was too old, too dangerous for this angel.

"I said," she took a step closer to me, placing her hand on my chest, "are you going to kiss me?"

I ran the back of my knuckles down the side of her face. Her skin was just as soft as I had imagined it to be. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to do a whole lot more to her, but I was too old for her, and she was way too young for me.

"No, sweetheart, I'm not gonna kiss you." As much as I wanted to, I couldn't fucking do it. She was underage. She was the forbidden fruit.

While I was having a mental breakdown, I didn't notice her rise to her toes before she planted a soft kiss on my lips.

She barely grazed it, but it was enough. It was enough to get a taste.

"What the hell was that?" I hissed. She had just hooked me on a drug I couldn't get a real fix of, not for two fucking long years.

She pulled her head back, staring into my eyes. "I never said I wasn't going to kiss you."

"I'm too old for the likes of you, Abby." Too old, too dangerous, and too fucking scarred for her.

"But yet I still want to kiss you again." Abby smiled, a real full-blown smile. "You know, Kade, you really need to loosen up."

"Ya flirting with fire, Abby," I grunted as I walked past her, intending to sit on top of a picnic bench.

Stupid teenagers. They didn't know what was good for them. Abby didn't realize what she was doing.

"Kim can't tease me anymore." She followed me, grinning like a bloody teenager.

She is a teenager.

I was used to women—cold, loose, and used. Not this bubbly, happy, grinning shit. It reminded me again just how far she was out of my reach.

"What ya talking about, darling?" I searched my cut for my pack of cigarettes, but at the rate I was going, I was going to smoke the whole pack before I got her back to the clubhouse.

"Well, it's not like I've lost my virginity or anything, but still, the first kiss is something." She shrugged her shoulders and pulled herself up on the picnic bench next to me.

"That was your first kiss?" I couldn't believe that bullshit.

"Yep." She stole a cigarette from my pack before I even had a chance to get one out.

"That wasn't a fucking kiss," I growled. A primal instinct flooded my body; I couldn't fight it if I wanted to.

Her eyes went wide with fright. "I'm sorry... I didn't... I'm sorry," she stuttered.

"Stop." I put my hand under her chin. I flicked the unlit cigarette from my hand and twisted around, placing my other hand on the side, framing her perfect face with my hands.

If my place in hell wasn't already reserved, it sure as hell would be now.

I dipped my head, so she knew. She knew what was about to happen and she didn't pull away; she didn't run off screaming. She took a shaky breath before I claimed those perfect lips. I couldn't be gentle; it wasn't me. I kissed her hard, and rough, and the small moan that came from her lips told me she liked it.

Her hands wrapped around my neck, and she kept a tight grip on me. I placed my hand on her hip and moved my other hand to grip the back of her head.

She kissed me back hard.

My hand was itching to reach up under her tee shirt and feel those hard, perky breasts of hers, but I didn't. I kept my hand glued to her hip.

She broke the kiss, taking gulps of air.

"You ok, babe?" I brushed the wild hair from her face.

"Don't stop." She drove up, pressing her lips hard against mine.

Her small, warm hand touched mine, and she tried to guide it up her shirt. I froze.

"I can't, babe." I pulled away, planting kisses down her neck.

She begged me to touch her. "Please, Kade, please."

"I can't, darling." I just couldn't do it.

She grabbed my hands and instead of moving it up, she moved it down, causing my eyes to double in size and my heart to nearly explode from shock.

She pulled herself up on me. "Come on, Kade. Please."

I shook my head and kissed up her neck.

"Kade, please," she begged in my ear as she pressed her body into me.

Growling, I pushed her back down onto the table and went to unbutton her jeans. I would regret this later, I knew it. But I was only human.

I slipped a finger into her, and immediately her eyes closed, and she moaned.

"So darn tight, baby," I grunted, squeezing a finger inside her.

Sweet sixteen.

I started to pump my finger, and she was rocking against it. I couldn't fit two fingers in her; she was too darn tight, I knew it would hurt her.

"Babe, look at me." I gripped her head. I could feel her tighten and clench around my finger. She was gonna burst, and I wanted to see it on her face when she did.

Her eyes fluttered open, and those big eyes were painted with lust and desire. Her pussy clenched itself around my finger, and her body started to rock, her back arching.

"Don't fight it, darling." I kissed down her neck.

Her arms shook around me, and she put a death grip on my finger. So darn tight.

She moaned loudly, and my name escaped her lips in the last breath. I wasn't just hard anymore; I was dead stiff hearing her moan my name as she came for the very first time.

Her forehead was sweaty, and she pressed it against mine. "Thank you." Her sweet words washed over my face.

"Don't have to thank me, baby." I kissed her softly. "It was my pleasure."

I knew I was never going to forget that look on her face and in her eyes when she came.

I had taken her first kiss. This little sweet sixteen-year-old girl just gave me something that I would never forget.

Looking into her flushed face, those eyes, I felt my heart squeeze. I felt something I hadn't ever felt before.

***

I braced the bike as she eased herself off. The club car park was dead quiet; there were a few passed out bodies lying around.

She shivered in the night air, and I kicked the stand out, getting off my bike.

She wouldn't look me in the eye. Instead, her eyes were locked on my bike. I didn't know what to expect. I had never deflowered a girl with my finger before.

"Why is that bit blank?" She placed her hand on the engine of the bike, where there was a bare spot in the paintwork.

"I've been looking for a picture of a reaper." I scratched the back of my neck. "The guy that did the rest of the work didn't have one I liked."

She nodded her head. "It would look sweet." She looked up, meeting my eyes for the first time since what happened at the park. "Would suit you."

"Yeah." I grinned.

"Well, I better go to... um... bed." She took a step back, her eyes still on mine.

"Night, Abby."

"Night, Kade." She smiled, turning her back and walking towards the clubhouse.

I couldn't stop looking at her, watching her body sway with each step she took away from me.

She was way too beautiful for me. Still, I couldn't stop reliving what just happened. Never would forget it. I knew that when she walked away.

Abby

I woke up to the sound of roaring engines. For a moment, it didn't startle me. I lived at the clubhouse; hearing the roar of engines wasn't out of the norm, but today was different.

I flung the blankets back, staggering out of bed. I ripped the drawing from my sketchbook and scooted out into the hallway. I tripped over my feet and accidently fell down a few steps as I hurried.

I couldn't let him leave without saying good-bye.

I broke open the clubhouse door and scanned the crowd. Dad was talking to Dane, saying his farewells. Kim was awake and still wearing what I last saw her in the night before. Then I spotted Kade on his bike, looking down at his phone.

Smiling, I hurried around a few bodies.

The concrete was cold under my feet, and I really wished I had fallen asleep in my warm PJs instead of shorts and a tight pink tank top.

"Kade." I stood awkwardly next to his bike.

His head darted to me, his eyes shocked for a moment. "You're here."

"I kind of live here." I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I watched his grin bloom.

"You just woke up, didn't ya?"

My cheeks went red as his eyes scanned up and down my body.

"Yeah well." I chewed my bottom lip and then flung my hand out. "I wanted to give you this before you left."

He took the folded piece of paper from me.

"It's just a rough sketch. You don't have to use it, but yeah. Well, I... um, couldn't sleep after you and then, um... well, I started to..." I glared down at my feet. Why couldn't I form words?

He opened the piece of paper. "You drew this?"

"Just a rough sketch. You said you couldn't find one you liked, so I drew that up."

He smiled gently at me. "Thanks, Abby."

My name rolled off his lips. Oh damn, he had me. "No worries." I rocked on my heels and still seemed unable to stop smirking. Darn, was I out of my head? Smart Abby wouldn't do this. Smart Abby would be regretting last night. Not standing next to the man that could be my own form of poison. After how my body was reacting, I was positive I was in over my head.

"Let's head home, boys!" Dane roared and mounted his bike.

"You won't be coming back for a while, will you?" I asked Kade, taking a step closer to him so he could hear me. Why did that get under my skin? Why did I care so much, knowing I won't be seeing him again for maybe years?

The roaring of more engines coming to life filled the car park.

"Yeah, babe. Might be a few years." He looked to be in thought for a moment before he kicked his bike to life, confirming what I was thinking.

"I guess I'll see you then." I wondered if I would ever see him again. Bikers came and went. His commitment to the club might change over the course of a few years. Hell, it wasn't uncommon for a member to jump ship.

"You might be legal by the time I get back here." He ran his tongue across his bottom lip. "Then we can finish what we started."

I blushed. "Well, I guess that means you have to come back then." I chewed my bottom lip, looking at him with lustful eyes.

"You can count on it, babe."

Dane took off, and Kade shot me a wink before taking off after him.

I watched as he tore out of the club's driveway following his president. Count on me to fall for the biker more dangerous and toxic than my father. How the hell was I meant to try and be with a boy now after being touched by a man?

"What did ya give Reaper?" Dad was at my side, and I had been too busy lusting over Kade to realize he had walked across the car park to me.

"A sketch." I crossed my arms, the cold morning air washing across my body.

"Why ya do that?" Dad pressed me for more answers.

"I liked him." I shrugged my shoulders and played down the attraction I had towards a man a hell of a lot older than me. "He reminded me of you." I looked up at my father and kept lying. "A bit of a lost soul."

Dad grunted and then dropped his big hand on my head, ruffling my hair. "All bikers are lost souls, honey. That's why we are all so fucked up."

I shot him up a grin when really my mind was on Kade. Would he ever come back? Two years was a long time, and if I knew one thing for sure, things could change quickly.

# Chapter 3

Abby

The years slowly ticked by and to be fair to myself, I couldn't lie and say they were eventful. It seemed every day I was that bit weirder and a bit more left out at school. Finally, it reached the point that I was invisible, unlike my twin, Kim.

She was anything but invisible—captain of the cheer squad, currently dating one of the most popular guys at school. Mind you, she was still slutting it up with Trigger. Trigger, for some strange and most likely perverted reason, liked it.

I withdrew from society, the biker's society, and normal society, and as Kim regularly told me, 'I was a hermit with a pen.'

Drawing was all I had, and to say I spent most of my life doing it was an understatement.

Our eighteenth birthday was fast approaching, which pretty much summed up the reason why I was sitting in Dad's office next to Kim.

"Dad, you promised." Kim huffed and crossed her arms. "You can't go back on a promise."

Dad never went back on a promise. It was his promise to Mom that he wouldn't be hard on us and actually let us date. Kim had a current boyfriend who was still breathing.

"Can't have all those underage girls here, Kim; it would bring trouble I don't want around my club." Dad rubbed his temples, looking like a giant behind his desk.

He had shaved his head a year earlier as a dare, and he liked it. He had been shaving it ever since. Personally, I thought it made him look younger, but Kim said he was doing it because of Leah, his current bed buddy, liked it.

"Dad, most of my friends are over eighteen already and if they want to mess with a biker, so be it." Kim shrugged her shoulders.

"What do you want, Abby?" Dad looked across at me. For the first time this evening, my opinion was actually called upon.

What did I think about having an overly expensive and massive eighteenth birthday party?

"I hate the idea."

"Of course you hate the idea." Kim rolled her eyes and glared at me. "You have no friends."

"Please. You're inviting the whole darn school, Kim, as if they are all your friends."

"Well, not one of them is yours, that's for sure."

She was mostly right.

"Girls," Dad growled with a warning.

"I have friends."

"Yes, two." Kim sneered. "If you classify that black-headed emo freak and her brother as friends."

I got along really well with Kayla Knight, my only friend, and her brother Jace. I considered him a friend, too. Even though he was a year and a half older than us and in college.

"Why are we even calling it a joint fucking party then?" I snapped. Once again, Kim lit a rage within me. "It is your party, not mine. I just want to chill in my room and do nothing. But no. You have to have this big bloody event!"

"GIRLS!" Dad roared, sending us into silence.

Kim glared at me, and I glared right back. We might be turning eighteen, but that didn't mean we had grown up when it came to fighting.

"Fine, Kim, you can have the party, but everyone that enters this clubhouse is to know the rules. The party is to be in the pub only. No one is to enter the clubhouse or the garage. Abby," Dad's eyes shot to me, and for a split second, I saw the pity in them. "You don't have to attend if you don't want to. I know this isn't your type of scene."

"Please, Dad, she doesn't have a scene," Kim piped in.

All through fucking high school, I had to deal with this. When Kim wasn't bullying me, everyone was ignoring me, and right now, I had had it.

"I hate you, Kim," I hissed in her face, "and next time you get bitch-slapped, don't expect me to jump in and have your back."

I pushed the chair back and got up. Why did I always take the bloody high ground? When Kim was being cornered by Megan the day before at school, I didn't even think twice about jumping in to get her off my sister.

Kim couldn't hold her own in a fight if she had to. Though she should learn, because I couldn't count how many times I've had to step in.

"Where are you going?" Dad asked as I opened the door, ready to storm the hell away from both of them.

"Out, and no, I don't know when I'll be home, and no, I'm not telling you where I am going, and yes, I'm going to be drunk when I decide to return to this hellhole I am cursed to call home," I sneered before slamming his door.

I hated Kim, and I hated Dad for never standing up for me.

Reaper

I put my feet up on the desk, reading the newspaper. Once again, Satan's Sons were on its front cover.

"Yo, Prez." Liam knocked on my door before walking in.

I hadn't gotten used to being called Prez, but after Dane was shot down on the streets six months earlier, I had to step up.

"What's up, Liam?" I put the paper down.

"The guys and I have a request." His lips curved in a way that told me it had something to do with women and booze.

"What would that be?"

"You know MC?"

Stupid question, did I know the bloody MC? I wanted to scoff but didn't. I kept my face normal, even though a picture of Abby flashed across my mind. "What about them?"

"Roach's daughters have got their eighteenth birthday party this weekend. Everyone is talking about it. Thought we could be good brothers and offer our help, ya know, and celebrate the girls coming of age."

More like he and the rest of them wanted to fuck some barely legal pussy. "Is that so?"

Abby was turning eighteen. My mind drifted back to that early Sunday morning. That smile on her face. I wondered if she even remembered it.

"So what ya say, Boss?" he asked.

I had been waiting for an excuse to take the seven-hour ride back to her. She probably didn't even remember me. She most likely thought of me as that old guy who took advantage of her in that park.

"Tell the boys we leave in a few hours," I answered him.

Abby might not remember me, but I sure as hell remembered her, and I wanted to see what she grew up like. I wanted to know if she remembered me.

Roach

By Friday morning, I was already dreading the weekend. Kim painted her fingernails at the end of the table, barely wearing fucking clothes, and the men had noticed.

How many times had I told her to cover up?

The Western Charter had rolled in late the night before. It was good to have the brothers back, though I knew the thought of young women had caused the visit.

Still, they were here and once the weekend finished—and we got through this bloody party—we might be able to have a real club party, one that didn't have fucking pink balloons all over my pub.

"Morning, Brother." Reaper walked in, looking like he had a sleepless night.

The dining table was covered with food; the club women had gone to extra lengths with the visit of another charter.

"Ya look like shit, Reaper." I put my paper down, looking over the man who was now President of our Western Charter.

"Morning, Reaper." Kim looked up from her fingernails, flashing that smile I didn't like her giving to anyone.

"Kim, right?" Reaper barely glanced at her and reached for the freshly cooked bacon.

Kim looked disappointed for a split second, seeing he hadn't paid as much attention to her as she had expected. Well there you go, a man not hunting down my daughter. Reaper could stay around as far as I was concerned.

"Yep." She smiled that smile again and blew on her nails. "So, you sleep well?"

"Kim, don't you have shit to do?" I barked.

I won't have her chatting up a bloody man older than her. I might have promised her mother to let them have a semi-normal dating life, but this was beyond that promise.

"Nope." She looked back at me, that taunting grin in place.

"Where's ya sister? Why don't you go and find her, see if she is right for this weekend?"

Abby had been keeping low since she stormed out the other night. It wasn't like Abby to make a scene, but I knew Kim was pushing her.

"I haven't seen her since she left."

"Left?" I got up from my seat. "LEFT WHEN?"

Kim looked at me with a pointless expression. If she weren't my daughter, I would backhand her right now.

"Since she left the other night. You were there, Dad."

"You're telling me Abby hasn't been home for two fucking days?"

"I can't believe you didn't know that." Kim dropped her head to the side, frowning. "Well, looks like she is invisible to you, too."

I already had my phone out, dialing her number, and when she didn't pick up on the third ring, I got concerned.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me she hadn't come home?"

Images of her being raped and left for dead in a ditch somewhere flashed through my mind. Rage boiled within me and spilled out across my face. Why the hell hadn't I checked on her earlier?

Two whole bloody nights she hadn't been here.

It wasn't like my Abby to disappear.

"Dad, you really need to calm down. She will be at Kayla's. Look, I'll call Kayla." Kim dialed a number on her phone, finally acting like a caring bloody sister.

"Hi Kayla, it's Kim. No, I'm not drunk dialing. Look, bitch, drop the attitude. I just want to know if you've seen Abby?" Kim went silent, listening for a moment, and then swiftly hung up.

"Well?" I demanded.

Kim chewed her lip and got up with caution. "Um well, Kayla said she hasn't seen or heard from her since Monday."

"TRIGGER!" I roared. "Keys. I needed fucking keys."

"What's up, Prez?" Trigger held a cue stick, a club whore under his arm.

"Abby is missing."

"I'll get the boys." Instantly, Trigger snapped into the mode I needed him in.

"Has she got any other friends she would stay with?" Reaper questioned Kim.

"No," Kim answered as she pulled on a jacket. "I'm coming, Dad."

"What the fuck for? It's no secret ya hate her, Kim. Stay here."

"I'll get my guys up, Roach. The more eyes out looking for her, the easier it will be." Reaper had his phone, and I nodded my head in thanks.

I prayed to whoever the fuck was in the sky to let my little girl be ok. Trigger barked out orders to the brothers as I straddled my bike.

Where the hell would Abby go, if she didn't want to be found?

# Chapter 4

Abby

I got out of my car, and I noticed my dad looking furious—more so than normal—mounting his motorbike.

I feel sorry for the poor bastard that pissed him off.

I was striding to the clubhouse when Kim yelled across the lot, pointing at me. "SHE'S THERE!"

Fuck, Kim, you are getting more brain dead by the day.

Dad's head whipped in my direction, along with every other bikers'. Suddenly, I felt like I was the poor bastard.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Dad roared at me, throwing his bike down on the stand and storming across the car park to me.

I felt like a trapped deer; I couldn't move.

"I've been at my art show." I blinked, looking up at him. "Why are you so mad?"

"Mad? Why am I mad?" he spat down at me. "You haven't been home for two days!"

"I was home this morning!" I looked up at him, confused. Then I looked around the car park. Some bikers were looking at me with pity, others with annoyance because I was sure my dad had roared their heads off all because of me.

Suddenly it hit me. Dad thought I hadn't been home for two days? He thought I hadn't been home since I stormed out of his office two days ago? It was official; I was invisible not just to everyone at school, but my own dad, too.

"I came home last night!" My fists clenched at my sides. "Who do you think took the cigarette out from your hand and put the bucket next to the couch for you?" At that moment, I hated him. I hated her. I hated school. I hated everything and everyone. I pushed him hard in the chest and stormed past him. "Great parenting, Dad."

***

Dad hadn't really said anything else; he just let me storm off. After a few hours, I wasn't angry with him anymore. I was angry with myself for making such a scene.

I knew Reaper had witnessed the whole event. I knew that because I caught his blank stare as I stormed across the lot.

Kim had followed me, muttering some empty apology. At the time, I wasn't interested, but now as I thought about it, I wondered why she had bothered.

I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I sighed and pulled myself up, throwing my legs over the edge of the bed. I wasn't even half surprised when I saw Dad closing my bedroom door behind him.

Dad looked exhausted. His eyes were locked on my carpet, his hands stuffed in his jeans pocket. It was the first time I could honestly say that Dad looked his age.

"Need to talk to ya." His lips formed a firm line after he spoke, then slowly he looked up.

Just like that, my mind went blank. My stomach fell and my world seemed to freeze. Something was seriously wrong; one look and I could see it.

"Not going to lie to you, Abby. Shit isn't looking too good for me at the moment." His grim words seemed to form ice as he spoke. "I have a bunch of loose ends, and 'til they are all dealt with, I can't have you and Kim around me."

"This morning you were yelling at me for not being home, and now you're telling me you want me to leave?"

"Not leave." Dad moved across the room, then sat down beside me. "I need you to make a break away from this type of life."

"Type of life," I repeated his words.

"I can't have you and Kim paying for my mistakes. Your mom would kill me."

"Dad." I dropped my hand on his knee, looking up into those big green eyes. "What makes you think that we don't want this type of life? It's all we know. Don't push us away. Look, we have dealt with threats before, and each time Kim and I have come through untouched. If you want us on house arrest for a while, we can do that."

Dad seemed torn, and it showed so clear across his face. "What did I do to get two great daughters?" His face softened, and he threw an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to his side.

"So you spoke to Kim?" I asked.

"Yep."

"What did she say?"

"The same thing you said."

Sometimes, on very rare occasions, Kim and I thought alike; this was one of those times.

"You know, Dad," a grin slowly spread across my lips, "you can't cancel our party that easy."

A deep laughter rumbled from his chest. "I guess you're right, kiddo." He gave me a wink before getting up.

Dad said something about a late tea and heading out for a while before he left me alone once again in my room.

I was too young and perhaps too stupid, or maybe I was just so sure that nothing could or ever would really tear our family apart, so I didn't take Dad's 'loose ends' seriously.

It would take something huge to tear the Harrison family apart, and that something huge was coming. It was a hurricane of broken glass, and it would shatter and slice our lives into pieces beyond repair.

But I didn't know that then.

# Chapter 5

Abby

Pink and more pink. I had never seen so much pink in my life. I was sure Barbie had come around and spewed up all over the joint. So when Kim asked for my opinion, I couldn't help but voice my honest reaction. "I hate it."

Kim pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "You hate everything. Do you have any idea how much time we have put into this?" She waved her hand around the pub, and her minions that were slumped on bar stools looked more like overworked slaves.

I screwed my nose up when I noticed the pink cups as well. "Well, I never asked you to turn Dad's pub into Barbie's paradise."

"There isn't that much pink!" She stomped her foot and as if on cue, Dad walked up behind her.

"Fucking hell," he hissed, looking around his once-manly pub. "This... this... this is rubbish." He pointed around at the pink balloons. "Better be gone by tomorrow morning."

Kim muttered something under her breath but didn't argue. It was the night of the big party, and by the moody expression on each of our faces, it was easy to see we were all just flipping jumping for joy for Kim's pink party.

"I'm not lifting a finger. I had no hand in turning this into...." I looked around the joint and then shrugged my shoulders. "I don't think there is a name for this much pink."

Dad grunted in agreement, and Kim just shot me her classic 'fuck you' glare. She really is just smothering me with sisterly love.

Reaper

She hadn't shown her face once. I took another gulp of my beer and looked over the crowd. How can she not show her face at her own goddamn party? It was after midnight, and the party was in full swing. Lots of teens drinking and lots of grinding, but still there was no Abby.

Kim danced on the top of the bar with another blonde, and Trigger didn't even try to hide the fact he was watching her every move.

Roach, from what I had heard, passed out sometime earlier in the afternoon. I don't blame him; Kim's whiny voice would drive any man to the bottle.

"I'm going to get some air," I yelled in Liam's ear, who was more interested in flirting with the young chick on his arm than listening to what I had to say.

I needed some fresh air, a smoke, and a break from the noise. At first, I hadn't planned on walking over to the clubhouse.

It was stone quiet when I entered the club pub.

If she wasn't at the party, she would have to be here. I took the stairs quickly, and I had already knocked on her door before it hit me: what the fuck was I going to say to her?

Her door flung open and there she was, my own personal minx. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, her cheeks flushed, and those shorts she was wearing would cause a priest to fall down to his knees in front of her.

"Reaper." Her eyes widened slightly as she stood in the doorway with a shocked look on her face.

"Did I piss you off or something?" I leaned against the doorframe, feeling a lot more comfortable seeing how nervous she was. "Not like you to call me by my biker name."

"I..." Her lips pursed and her long lashes fluttered. Slowly, she crossed her arms. "Why are you here?"

"Came to wish you a happy birthday."

"Liar."

"I don't lie, babe."

"Please, that is all your kind does."

"My kind?" I scoffed at that. "We're cut from the same patch."

"Why are you here, Kade? Instead of over there?" She nodded her head in the direction of the party.

"The question is why are you not over there. It's your party, remember?"

Her face slowly fell to the ground, and she stared down at her feet. Guilt crept through my stomach. Shit, did I say something wrong?

"I don't have any friends over there. The two friends I do have wouldn't come because, well..." She looked up. "Kim's a bitch."

"So you're hiding out in there then?" I dipped my head at her bedroom.

"Not much else to do."

"Fuck that; get dressed."

Once again, those opal blue eyes of hers widened. "What? Why?"

Those scared kitten eyes did something for me. I don't know if it was healthy or right, but fuck it felt good, and I didn't want to stop looking into them.

"I'm taking you out, sweetheart." I leaned forward. Towering over her, I dipped my head to her ear. "You're legal now, remember? Go get dressed."

I heard her gulp, and she didn't pull away from me. Instead, she turned her head and her dangerous eyes locked with mine.

"Give me ten minutes." She put a hand on my chest and pushed me out the door, shutting it in my face hard. It didn't even anger me a bit cause I knew she was getting ready to leave with me.

# Chapter 6

Reaper

It had seemed like a good idea at the time but by the look on her face, I doubted myself. We were at a party, and she wasn't into it at all, so taking her to a pub or a club had been scratched out. This seemed like the right idea.

"Seriously?" Abby's crystal eyes looked up at me, her perfect red lips curved into a smile. "You're actually going to come in here with me?

"What, babe, don't want me to?" I faked confidence and pretended that her baby doll face wasn't causing my stomach to flip around like a bloody teenager who was seeing a girl for the first time.

She chewed that juicy bottom lip before looking up at me again. "I just didn't think you were the late-night shopping kind of guy."

"I haven't gotten you a birthday present; seems only right to get you one now."

I needed her to stop looking at me like that. I needed her to stop batting those long lashes. Come on, baby girl; you're killing me.

She ran her dainty fingers through her long blonde hair and looked across at the shopping mall. "I've never been shopping with a guy before."

I liked that. Why the fuck did I like that? It was as if a part of me liked being her one and only even if it was just the first guy to take her shopping.

"Well, babe, it's going to be an experience." I winked at her and reached out for her hand. Was she going to take it or not? Why the fuck did I reach out for her hand in the first place? All the questions melted away when she did take it. Darn, her hand was cold.

We left the bike in the car park and walked towards the huge shopping mall, which before now, I had no intention of ever entering.

The things you do for a woman.

***

I had never seen so much junk and clothes in my life, and we had only been in two stores. I couldn't understand; it was after one o'clock in the morning, and there were still crowds of shoppers around. I guess that is December for you.

I leaned against the shop counter, and the retail assistant was chatting with me, a conversation which I wasn't into. My attention was on Abby as she scanned a rack of clothes.

She frowned at a blue dress. She was stunning, and I wondered if she knew how beautiful she was. Only eighteen and so flawless.

A bunch of loud boys entered the shop. It took them a full two minutes before their eyes landed on Abby.

We were in some punk, young-clothes shop. Fuck if I knew the name of it; all I knew was there was a hell of a lot of clothes and Abby seemed to like it.

A tall boy with a cocky grin slowly made his way over to her. My eyes narrowed as I watched like a predator.

"Harrison." The boy stood right in front of her. "Why aren't you at your party?"

"Noel." Abby crossed her arms, and I watched as she took a noticeable step away from him. Her interest in the dress was gone. "Why are you speaking to me?"

"You mean why haven't I pushed you over or backed you into a corner by now?"

One more word, cunt, and I'll be giving you a facial. I stepped away from the counter. I didn't want to charge over there in case the prick was Abby's friend. I wouldn't embarrass her.

The kid was young, looked like the type of bloke most girls would go for in high school. Maybe she had a crush on him. That made my stomach burn with disgust and anger.

"You know, Noel, I'm surprised you even bothered to waste a few moments of your pathetic life with me. Looks like your friends are waiting for you; best you fuck off now."

While Abby was speaking, another male made his way over to them.

"Surprised to see you out in public, Harrison." The other male sized her up. I knew that look; it was the same look that I had given a hell of a lot of women.

That was all I needed to see. A need to protect her fired through me.

Abby was stiff as a board, and I could almost feel her anxiety as I approached her. Standing behind her, she must have known I was there because she was quick to take an extra step back until she was pressed against my chest.

She was scared of these fuckers, and that sent a jolt of rage through my blood.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her back pinned against my chest. Her body melted into me.

Couldn't say I didn't like the feeling.

"You're going to want to take a step back." I threatened, keeping my eyes locked on the kids. One punch and he would be on the ground. If he and his mate knew what was good for them, they would back off. I wasn't below hitting a boy. I saw it as teaching a lesson. I'd call it 'don't fuck with a biker's girl.'

Noel raised his hands, taking a step back. "Calm down, brother. Harrison isn't worth fighting over." He grunted, and the guy next to him nodded in agreement.

Just don't kill him. Just don't kill him. I kept repeating it in my head, trying to keep a handle on my temper.

"Start walking." It wasn't a suggestion so much as a warning.

"Catch you at school, Harrison." Noel shot a look at Abby with a threatening tone to his words before the two of them walked off to join their other friends, who were standing around at the entrance of the shop looking like they wanted to leave.

I kept my eyes locked on them until they walked out of the shop. Abby's breathing was rapid and sharp, and I wondered what the fuck those boys had done to her to get her so worked up and have such a fear of them.

I dipped my head down to her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Are you alright?"

It took a few minutes before she nodded her head. She kept her hand on my arm, which was wrapped around her. "I'm ok." She tilted her head to the side, staring into my eyes. "Thanks for that."

"Didn't do anything, babe." I wished I had done more, but for some reason, I thought that me punching the guys wouldn't have pleased her. Abby was a gentle soul, the complete opposite of me.

"Can we go?" She pulled out from my grasp, spinning on her heels to look up at me. "I just want to get out of here."

"What about the dress?" I nodded my head at the dress she had just spent at least five good minutes looking at before.

"I wouldn't have any place to wear it to." She glanced at it. "I don't usually wear bright colors; that is more Kim's thing."

I grabbed the dress. "You really need to break out of your shell, babe."

"No, Kade, don't. It's expensive."

My eyebrows shot up at that, my smirk twisting at her sweet, caring smile. "Good thing I'm loaded then."

She continued to natter more excuses why I shouldn't buy her the dress as I walked it to the counter; it wasn't until I handed over the cash that she gave up.

"Do you have a dressing room?" I asked the sales assistant who was looking me up and down like a piece of meat.

Women... so easy.

"Just to the right." She pointed a finger, not taking her eyes off me.

I handed the dress to Abby and gestured with my head. "Go put it on then."

"You want me to put this on?"

"I can put it on you if you want." I grinned at her, enjoying the way her eyes slowly widened.

"Nope. I'm more than able." She was quick to walk off in the direction of the changing room. Damn girl was fine, and I couldn't take my eyes off her as she walked away.

***

It was plain, simple, and elegant like her. The blue strapless dress hugged her body perfectly, and it stopped midway up her creamy thighs. She looked stunning even with the big black combat boots she was wearing.

"I look stupid." Abby snapped. "People keep looking at me, too."

We walked down the street, hand in hand. We had left her other clothes in the shop after she decided they weren't worth carrying around. While I thought she looked amazing, she thought she stood out.

"You care too much." I twirled her around to my side, tugging her under my arm. "Anyway, babe, who says they aren't staring at me?" I whispered in her ear.

That sweet angelic face lit up with a smirk. "You know, Kade, I think you're right."

"That doesn't happen often, trust me."

"Kade?"

"Abby?"

She stopped and placed a hand on my arm. "You're kind of alright."

That simple compliment coming from her lips caused a feeling to creep through me. I knew right then that I was falling hard for someone I shouldn't.

# Chapter 7

Abby

I had spent the last year complaining about how I was invisible. Never did I think that one day I would be glad I was. When Kade and I arrived back at the house, not one single person had even realized I left. Sure, most of the people that should have been worrying were passed out with alcohol poisoning, but still, I couldn't help but let that tiny little smile spread. I was thankful for being invisible that night.

I was also kind of okay with being invisible at school. While Kim gloated in the aftermath of a successful party, I did everything in my power to remain invisible. I was high on the memory of the other night.

The way his touch just lit a fire within me. The way he looked at me, like I was something special.

"Oi! HARRISON!"

Hearing that voice caused me to walk faster, and I was sure I would have gotten away if I hadn't tripped over my own foot and gone flying to the floor.

The snickering and laughing from Noel and his stupid friend was all I needed to hear.

I reached for my books, only to have Noel kick them away.

"What, Noel?" I looked up at him from the ground, and with no class or grace, I got back up to my feet. "Come on then, get on with the insults so you can leave me alone."

Noel's lips twitched into a grin that would scare any sane person away, and it usually appeared before he said something hurtful.

"Your boyfriend isn't here to back you up now." He took a step closer to me. "Can't go whimpering to him."

Kade. Oh god, I wished he was here right now.

"So?" I challenged him and scooped up my books. "What is your point?"

"Getting lippy, aren't we, Harrison?" He cocked his head to the side and took a few more steps towards me until I was backed against the wall.

It was the end of the day, and I had avoided him thus far. The door to my freedom was at the end of the hall, and I couldn't help but let my eyes flicker to it.

"If you have nothing to say, can I just go?" I asked, but it came out more like a plea.

"Sure, Harrison. In fact, go on, go." Noel stepped out of my way and gestured an arm out for me to leave.

I wasn't going to wait for him to change his mind, so I rushed past him and had my hand on the door before his evil voice spoke to me.

"Oh, and I love what you did to your car. Good to see you are embracing who you are."

What had he done? I pushed the door open and bolted down the steps.

Noel was fully evil, and I was sure he was Satan's actual son. He had made it his personal mission to make my life more miserable.

I reached into my handbag and pulled out my keys. My car was everything to me. I had either been fixing the darn thing or nagging the boys to fix it for as long as I could remember, which was when I first got it when I was fifteen.

Dad had finally coughed up and paid for its paint job as my birthday present. It was beautiful and was only finished last week.

That's why Noel threatening my car had my blood running cold. I spotted my purple beast in the car park. It was sparkling in the sun and looked like it had just ridden out of a magazine.

So when I reached the driver's side of the car and saw what had been keyed into it, it was natural for the tears to swell in my eyes.

***

'Biker's Bitch' had been keyed, badly and roughly, into the side of my car. I pulled the car cover over it after parking it in the back of the garage. I had managed to get it home without one person seeing it.

I was gutted. It felt like someone had keyed the words into my own body. I hated Noel and if I could, I would kill him. I was tempted to tell my dad.

But what would that prove? It would prove them right, that's what.

I flicked the lights off and closed the door. I knew—because the bikes that normally decorated the driveway in front of the clubhouse weren't there—Dad wasn't home. I wasn't sure if Kade was still around. He hadn't mentioned he was leaving when we last spoke on Saturday.

I couldn't be sure. It was Monday, and it would make sense if they had left to head back home.

Suddenly I felt a lot flatter. I closed the clubhouse door behind me.

"Heard what happened to your car."

My head snapped up. Kim was sitting on the couch, TV remote in hand and looking at me. The normal hate in her eyes was not there.

"I didn't hear about it until it had been done so I couldn't do anything." Kim turned to look back at the TV. "You going to tell Dad?"

I was shocked because Kim was speaking to me and more importantly, she was speaking nicely to me. Which only meant one thing.

"What do you want, Kim?" I shoved my hands in my leather jacket.

"Fine." She looked back at me with a bored expression. "I need you to not tell Dad about it."

"I won't have to, the words kind of tell him for me."

"Just don't drive it then."

"Why? Why should I protect Noel? He is a piece of trash, and a punching from Dad wouldn't be a bad thing."

"Dad has enough stress on his plate; do you really want him chasing Noel down? You know he has a temper." Kim got up from the couch, crossing her arms and looking like her normal pissy self. "Come on Abby, think of him for once and not yourself."

I scoffed, shaking my head and leaving the room before I decided to do something I would regret.

***

I listened to music and tried my very best to work my stress out in the gym when Kim showed her ugly head.

"Dinner is ready. Dad's waiting," she yelled over the music and then slammed the door.

I didn't feel like eating. I felt like doing another hour or so on the treadmill, running my anger off. But Kim's snippy way of saying 'Dad's waiting' meant he was expecting me to make an appearance.

I didn't feel like speaking to a single person, and I really didn't feel like sitting at the table watching bikers scarf down their weight in meat. I wasn't dressed for it either, in my sports crop top and shorts.

By the time I dragged my butt down to the dining room, everyone was already eating and laughing. I snuck into the kitchen and dished out a plate of vegetables.

Just make an appearance and leave, and the less food I had on my plate, the sooner I could go.

I had noticed a full table when I ducked into the kitchen but only as I reentered the dining room did I realize that it was the boys from the Western Charter that occupied some of the spaces.

My dad was at the head of the table, and Kade was on his left-hand side. He was still here.

"Oi, Abby, pass the sauce, would ya?" Gitz asked, and I automatically reached for it off the bench and leaned across the table, handing it to him. "Why you still standing? Come on, have a seat." He gestured to the seat next to him, and I walked around the table, taking the offer.

Kade had thrown me. Once I got in my seat next to Gitz and Bleach, I snapped out of it.

"Abby, where you been, sweetheart? I haven't seen you since I got back." Dad struck up a conversation with me.

"Just... um... in the gym." I stabbed a piece of carrot.

"I think we can see that, Abby." Gitz winked at me, causing a sly smile to cross my lips.

"How was school?" Dad asked, seeming not ready to let go of having a conversation with me.

Kim had been talking to Trigger at the end of the table, but when she heard Dad ask that question, her head snapped in my direction.

"Fine." I shrugged my shoulders, "How was your ride?"

Normally Dad would just flash me a smile, nod his head, and say the ride was good but this time, this time he looked at me with a "not buying it" face.

"Really? Because your principal called." Dad put down his fork, and when the man stops eating, you know shit is going to get real. So it made sense that the whole table chose this moment to go silent.

"Principal Frigg just likes talking to you." I brushed it off, but I knew there was a point to this rounded conversation.

"Abby, you can either tell me what happened, or I can ask your sister."

"Ask Kim then." I ate a mouthful of veggies and just like that, I passed the buck over to her. She wanted me to lie, well, she could lie for me.

"What's the issue, Daddy?" Kim batted her eyelids and took a sip of her drink. "If this is about Abby being unsociable, I'm sorry, but what do you expect?"

God, the quicker I got these veggies in, the better.

"Abby seems to be getting bullied."

I choked on the carrot in my mouth. Gitz came to my rescue by giving me a firm hard pat on the back.

"Here ya go." He handed me his beer, and I was quick to take a gulp of it.

"What? No, she isn't," Kim piped in. Seems like passing the buck to her was the best idea I had. I sucked at lying.

"Maybe you could explain, Kim, what the fuck you are doing. Why this is happening?" Dad's voice got that angry tone to it, and he seemed to be in full parent mode now.

"She isn't being bullied!" Kim explained.

"Yeah, Dad, she's right. I'm not really." I lied, and my face didn't even give me away because it was already flushed by my near choking experience. "Principal Frigg is just making you worried over nothing."

"Don't lie to me." Dad slammed his fist down. "Kimberly, apparently you are the leading lady when it comes to bullying your sister at school!"

Kim looked at me blankly. Dad was past angry and entering a full-on rage. He never really was good at having a conversation without reeling in his temper.

"Abby, you should have told me." Dad's eyes were scorching on mine. "Now start fucking explaining why you have been giving the school a wrong number."

"Because it's not worth disturbing you about it. Seriously, they are blowing it out of proportion." I kept my eyes locked on his. I was dying of embarrassment right then. Kade was sitting there, quietly, staring down at his plate. He hadn't touched his food, and I wondered if he could tell how awkward this was for me right now.

"You and your sister always come first," Dad spoke with such firmness.

"Oh please, Dad, really? You are going to spin that one?" Kim got guts from somewhere and actually rose to her feet, pointing a finger at him. "The club comes first, and stop trying to act like it doesn't."

And just like that, shit got messy.

"Better reel in that tone, young lady." Dad rose to his own feet, and it seemed like the Harrison family was going to go for gold.

Looked like the boys were in for dinner and a show.

"Dad, Kim, calm the fuck down," I piped up in between their glare off.

"What? Dad wants to sit there and pretend that he cares more about us than this club. Well fuck me, I'm not playing along with that anymore."

"KIM!" I snapped at her. Dad was already angry; you don't go fucking poking a bear.

"So Dad, if we come first, where were you last week? When I had my finals? Where were you when Abby got awarded outstanding for exams last month? Hell, where were YOU when we both got in trouble last month?"

"KIM!" I roared at her this time and rose to my own feet, tipping Gitz's beer over in my rush. "WE both fucking promised not to mention that!"

Just drop us in more shit, why don't you, Kim?

"What?" She snapped at me, her eyes firing with rage. "I'm sick of pretending like Dad gives two shits about us. Sure, you love us, but the club comes first, Dad, and you really need to wake up to that."

If a man could burst from rage, Dad was going to. Even a few of the boys were watching him closely, ready to jump up in case he charged at her.

"Kim, you need to calm down and stop saying shit you don't mean."

"NO! I'm sick of it! I'm sick of this club! I'm sick of living in this fucking messed up lie that Dad gives two shits about what happens to us. Hell, Dad, you might want to think you're not the ride-in-and-out dad, but you are!"

Kim was digging our graves one mouthful at a time.

"Kim, this has nothing to do with Dad's parenting skills." My voice was firm; it even sounded strong. I couldn't believe she was giving him a mouthful after she made me feel bad for even thinking about talking to Dad about what Noel had done.

"You're right, Abby, because he is no fucking parent." Kim threw her fork on the table and glared at him with a look of disgust.

"Ok. Clearly, I have missed something because only a few hours ago you were all concerned about his health and that I wasn't to upset him, and here you are yelling at him!"

I don't know when it happened, but Kim and I were now standing in front of each other.

Dad was still standing at the end of the table, shaking with rage.

"You're right, something did change. I just don't give a fuck if he has a heart attack anymore."

I grabbed Kim's arm as she attempted to storm past me. She was not leaving this mess that easy.

"You better start apologizing, Kim, before I knock your fucking teeth out," I snarled in her face. My own temper was boiling over now.

Kim looked at my hand, then looked back at me. "Why are you even bothering to protect him? Since when did you start caring about him? After all, I don't blame you." She looked at Dad with such bitterness. "Where was he when you were assaulted last month? When you were bleeding out in the hospital, and they couldn't get in contact with anyone? Where was he when his Vice President tried to rape you? Oh, that's right..." Kim slowly turned her head and glared at Dad. "You were too busy screwing your way through any legs that would open." She ripped her arm free and stormed out, leaving me there, speechless.

I was shell-shocked. Only when the boys began to rise from the table did I snap back into the moment.

Trigger was on his feet, my dad's eyes zoned in on him.

"Is it true?" Dad's words were so deeply quiet, so threatening.

I stepped in, grabbing Trigger's arm. There was only a table keeping the distance between them, and Dad could flip that in barely a second.

"Dad, you need to listen to me. Kim made that..."

"Move, Abby!" Dad roared at me.

I didn't listen. Instead, I pushed myself in front of Trigger. He looked shocked, not sure what he should do.

"DAD!" I yelled when Dad seemed zoned in on Trigger, not looking at me. "Kim made that sound like something it wasn't."

"Abby, I think you need to leave." Trigger had his eyes on Dad's, and he placed a hand on my arm, trying to pull me away from him. "Now."

"Don't tell her what to do," Dad spat. "I trusted you."

"Dad, Trigger didn't do anything to me." I spoke softly, quick and direct. I had to get Dad to see reason before he killed the man.

It wasn't fair that Trigger was going to cop all of Dad's rage.

"Dad, it was years ago, and it wasn't what Kim made it sound like."

"Leave, Abby," Trigger spoke in my ear. "Now."

I knew what I had to do, and I knew what would happen if I did, but I had to get Dad's attention on me, so I did the only thing I knew that would get his full attention.

"Mark Defalcon wanted you to know what it felt like to lose something you loved, and he wanted me to tell you..." my stomach twisted with disgust and shame.

"Abby, when did Mark speak to you?" Dad's voice was softer, and just like I had hoped, he was no longer interested in Trigger. He moved around the table and gently grabbed my hand. "Abby, what did he say?"

Trigger did the smart thing and backed right off, leaving me standing there with Dad.

I never wanted to speak these words, and it felt like I was letting Mark win by doing what he asked. But Dad wasn't going to drop it, and he placed a hand under my chin, tilting my head up.

"Abby, tell me now."

A month earlier, I was heading down to the stationery shop when a car pulled up beside me. One second I was walking, listening to music, and the next I was pulled into a car. Mark Defalcon was my dad's personal enemy. They hated each other. Mark led a rival biker group. They were sworn enemies.

I don't remember too much after the third punch. But I do remember the words he whispered in my ear before leaving me in that alley where he inflicted so much pain on me.

'Tell your father that you tasted as sweet and as innocent as your mother.'

I promised myself I would never tell Dad those words. I was found by a stranger, taken to the hospital, and that's when Kim was called in. She promised she would never speak to Dad about it, and it was at that moment I had my sister back. Pity, though, the next day she was back to normal.

I stayed at Kayla's for a few weeks while the bruising went away, and then from that point I tried hard to suppress every memory of that night.

"He said..." I pulled my head from his touch and took a step back. Tears welled up in my eyes. "He said, 'tell your father that you tasted as sweet and as innocent as your mother.'" I squeezed my eyes tight.

All I heard was Dad's breathing; it was sharp and deep. "Please, Dad, don't do anything stupid." I opened my eyes again, looking up into his furious, narrowed ones. "Please, Dad, don't sink to his level."

"Go find your sister." Dad nodded his head at the door for me to leave. "Go on, now."

"No."

"Abby, I need to speak to the boys. Leave."

"Not till you promise you won't hurt Trigger." I crossed my arms. If I had to relive that awful memory, there had to be a reason for it. "Dad, you told me he's the best VP you can ask for and if you are going to do something stupid, you need him by your side, and I won't leave until you-"

"I'm not going to kill him, Abby. Now go find your sister before she leaves."

"What do you want me to say to her?" If I were Kim, I would have already been gone after giving Dad a spray like that.

"Tell her that she can't run away from this family, pregnant or not."

My mouth dropped open. "She's knocked up?"

"Go."

I knew I had to leave, but I couldn't help but give Trigger a small, sad smile. I might have saved him tonight, but he was a dead man if he was the father.

I grabbed Dad's arm and went to my tippy toes to whisper in his ear. "Kim loves you, Dad; don't think otherwise. And he didn't rape me. Neither of them did."

I walked quickly out of the room. Never in a girl's life does she want to bring up her virginity with her dad, and I had to do just that, as well as let him know my darkest secret.

Tonight was the worst night of my life, and I had Kim to thank for it. That hormonal bitch better still be here because she was going to get a piece of my mind.

***

I woke up to my mattress sinking. Opening my eyes, I was shocked for a moment to see Dad sitting at the end of my bed.

I elbowed Kim in the ribs, waking her up.

"You ok, Dad?" I asked.

It was the dead of the night, but my room still had soft lighting from the outside lights drifting through the curtains.

"I let you girls down." His voice was low.

Kim pulled herself up in bed. I knew she regretted what she said because she spent a solid hour crying about it. She was knocked up, and she was angry at Trigger about it. I told her it still wasn't a reason to get Trigger killed.

It didn't help either that Trigger had told her he wanted nothing to do with it, and Dad had pretty much told her the same thing—it was her problem. Neither of them made a smart move by pissing off a hormonal woman.

It made sense now why she didn't want me to mention my problems to Dad tonight— because she was going to drop her own bomb on him.

"You didn't, Dad. I'm sorry." Kim climbed out of bed and went to sit next to him. "I'm really sorry, Dad."

"I should have let you girls go live with my sister. I shouldn't have kept you both."

"Dad, don't be stupid." I got up and flicked the lights on. The blood on his hands and the stains on his white shirt became visible. "Dad, please tell me Trigger is still alive."

Kim went stiff, and her eyes met mine for a moment. For a split second, I saw her regret.

"Trigger knew he was on borrowed time." Dad looked up at me.

"You promised me you wouldn't kill him!" I felt guilt build up inside me.

"I didn't kill him."

"Then who did?"

I knew he was playing with words, and I didn't like it.

"No one did. He got a few punches, but he's still breathing. The same can't be said for Mark." Dad grunted, getting up, looking his age.

"Kim, you're not having that baby. Tomorrow, you're going to the doctor. As for you, Abby," he looked at me, "tomorrow, you're telling me everything."

We both nodded our heads.

"Then I'm calling your Aunty. Next week, you're both going to live with her."

I gasped, and Kim looked like she wanted to kick herself.

"Dad, you can't send us away, it's our last year! I can't change schools now. If I do, it will affect my university choices!" I was outraged at the suggestion.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Dad gave Kim a kiss on her forehead. "What you did tonight, Kim, I can't have you speaking to me like that in front of my brothers, but we will deal with that in the morning."

I was frozen and was still chewing over the idea of having to leave and move to god knows where when Dad kissed my forehead.

"I thought you knew, Abby, you could always come to me if you were in trouble." He shook his head. "We'll talk in the morning."

He left, closing the door behind me, and suddenly my thoughts of killing Kim from earlier this evening seemed like a good idea.

"You really fucked things up for us." I snapped at her. "I hope you're happy."

"Can't you see, Abby?" Tears were falling down her face. "I'm fucking thrilled."

She might be regretting it now, but she would be regretting it more when she woke up tomorrow and reality hit us both.

Dad didn't want us here anymore, and it was all her fault.

# Chapter 8

Abby

I wasn't a big believer in second chances or forgetting about the past. I was a firm believer in learning from your mistakes. I don't believe in second chances because if you got one shot, by my books, you got one shot too many.

My dad also shared this opinion, which led me to my new problem.

"Dad?" I knocked on his bedroom door. It was the middle of the afternoon, and I hoped, by now, he might be waking up, but by the lack of a response, I knew he wasn't.

"You ok?"

I spun around, shocked to see Kade. He looked like his normal self: black tee shirt, leather vest over the top. He was the picture of what your parents warned you about.

I walked away from Dad's door and towards Kade. "Yeah, I'm ok, but I don't know about Dad." I glanced back at his closed door. "He doesn't usually sleep this much."

"Might have something to do with the fact he isn't here."

My head snapped back at him. "What?"

"Your dad left early this morning. He wasn't really in the mood to answer questions, so no one really asked him where he was going."

I groaned. I knew where he was going, and I had hoped to see him before he left. "He would have gone to see my Aunty."

"That a bad thing?"

"It is because I don't really want to live with her, but thanks to Kim's outburst last night..." I looked down at the ground. "Dad thinks that shipping us off will fix everything."

Kade was quiet. Like real quiet. I looked up, crossed my arms, and raised an eyebrow. "Spill it, Kade, what are you thinking?"

It was the emotions behind his cool expression that had me knowing he had an opinion on this.

"Club isn't a place for girls." He leaned back against the wall.

It was just him and me in the empty hallway. I stood a bit taller in front of him. "Girl? You think I'm a girl?"

"You're eighteen, still in high school. Yeah, I think you're still a girl."

A girl? I wanted to hit him. I wanted to punch that thought from his mind. I was not a little girl. "So that is what you think of me? A girl who can't handle herself?"

"No, you're a girl who has been harassed, nearly raped, and hanging around bad ass men her whole life. Having you and your sister around this club just brings drama. Men are men, and you're baiting yourself in front of men with no morals."

Well there it was; he didn't have an opinion, he had a bloody lecture.

"Well, who knew you had such a strong opinion?" I thought he was different. Why did I think he could see me as somewhat equal?

In Kade's mind—everyone's mind—Kim and I were nothing but a problem. A problem they couldn't even bang.

"Nice to know what you really think." I tried to storm away, you know, act my age. But Kade stopped me, wrapping one of his big powerful hands around my wrist.

"I'm leaving, and you're just going to storm off without even saying goodbye?"

He was leaving. Fine, leave. Go. Leave me with this mess.

It was at that moment I woke up to myself. Kade wasn't my boyfriend; he wasn't even my friend. So why did I think I could lean on him for support? He wasn't even a good guy.

"Bye."

"Bitchy this morning, aren't you?"

"FINE, what do YOU want ME to say?"

"Nothing." He let go of my wrist. "Go on then, fuck off." He nodded his head down the hallway for me to leave.

"You know what your problem is, Reaper? You think I care." I gave him a cold look. "You honestly think that I give a shit if you ride out or not? You're just another biker." My words were cold, my face was stern, and god, I had stepped bitch up to whole new level. "And if you haven't noticed, I'm surrounded by bikers. So you're just another dirty, badly tattooed one that seems to have a habit of riding in and out."

I was angry. No! Furious!

First, his face went tight. His jaw clenched and just when I thought he was about to punch through my coldness with his own harsh words, he leaned in and did something I didn't expect.

We stumbled back until he had me against the wall. His hands gripped the side of my face, and his lips drove down. It wasn't loving, and it wasn't gentle. It was raw and hard, and I loved it.

I didn't push him away, but I didn't wrap my arms around him either.

He pulled away, his eyes zoned in on mine. "If any other biker or fucking man for that case touches you, he's a dead man walking." His voice was like a sexual dose that sent my body alight, but the raw threatening tone behind his words sent a wave of realization over me. "You can storm off now, babe. I think I made my point."

I wished I could have kept up that cold expression from before, but I didn't have a chance. My shock and fear washed over my face. I slowly turned and walked down the hall, stunned. My feet were on automatic while my mind went into overdrive, trying to figure out what the hell he meant.

He had made his point? What the fuck did that mean?

# Chapter 9

Abby

"This is bullshit," I roared in Dad's face. My temper was out of control. I couldn't reel it in if I wanted to. "This is going to RUIN my life! Can you think of me for once? Just because she hates it here doesn't mean I fucking do!" I threw an arm in Kim's direction.

Dad's face was tight. He let out a long, deep breath. "I told you, Abby, this is decided. I've already spoken to Mandy. You and Kim are going. End of story."

"I think it will be good," Kim piped up.

"Sorry, but when did we ask for the pregnant cow's opinion?" I glared at her then looked back at Dad. "You are ruining my life. I've put all my effort into this high school, and now you are moving me in my final year! Before exams!"

I was angry that he was ripping me away from the only home I knew, but I was furious that he was putting my future in trouble.

"You can take the exams at your new school." He stood up, towering over me. "I've already enrolled you and Kim. You both start next week."

I was gobsmacked.

Kim's stone-cold eyes locked with mine. "I think this is a good thing."

I snickered a frustrated simper at her. "You thought it was a good idea to fuck a guy with no protection, too."

"ENOUGH!" Dad roared. "It's fucking settled. You might as well start packing!"

He was sending me away from my only friends, from my school, from my teachers. I felt like he was taking a part of my life away. I felt robbed, cheated, and mostly hurt. I had always done the right thing. I studied hard, kept myself out of trouble, and this is how I was rewarded?

Tears welled up in my eyes. "If you make me go, Dad, I promise you, you will ruin our relationship." My blurry eyes locked with his stern ones; there was no emotion in his eyes while mine were full of sorrow.

"Then I guess it is ruined. Pack your shit." He turned around and left the room. When he walked out, he also destroyed any respect I had for him and just like that, I lost my dad.

Mandy, or should I say, Aunty Amanda, was a true-blue slut. I hated her. And no, I didn't just hate her because I was being sent to live with her. I hated her because Mom hated her. Why Mom didn't like her, I don't know, but I think Mom was a good judge of character.

I wasn't calling her a slut to be mean, either; she was a slut or as she says, an expensive escort. No matter what she called it, she still spread her legs to make a living.

I hated Dad at that moment, too, for ruining my life. I hated him for sending me away, and I hated him for not even making the five-hour drive here. He sent us with the Western Charter.

The van Kim and I were in slowed down. The gang of bikes in front of us also slowed. I felt like I had swallowed a whole lot of anger, and it seemed to just be spreading through my body.

Aunty Slut Face was out the front of her small brick house. She was dressed in pink and waving like an overexcited Playboy Bunny. Her hair was even bleached blonde.

Kim was quick to slide the door open and jump out. I, on the other hand, wasn't in a fucking hurry. What had made my mood worse was the fact that Kade hadn't even spoken one word to me.

He also had some tramp on the back of his bike with him. Kade, being the gentleman he is, let her ride on his bike.

Sluts don't have rights on the back of a President's bike, but hell, maybe I was old-fashioned. I slammed the van door behind me.

The prospect that had driven the van gave me a dirty look.

"ABBY!" Aunty Amanda exclaimed and let go of Kim.

Kade was off his bike and had made his way over to the happy pair. I glanced at Aunty Amanda, her arms wide open. "Touch me, and I'll break your arms." I walked past her and headed towards the house. I caught a glance of her stunned expression.

I might have always played nicely with her before, but now I had nothing to lose, and I didn't have a father to be 'disappointed' if I did treat her like the piece of trash she was.

***

As I unpacked one of my boxes, Kade came in carrying the last one. My room was directly across from Kim's new room. Fuck my luck.

"We're heading off now." Kade put the box down near my bed.

The room wasn't that big and was filled with boxes. I didn't look up and just kept pulling random shit out of the box. "Ok. Bye."

I heard the door close, and I looked up. Kade stared at me.

"What's wrong?" His tone was deep, and he looked slightly worried. "It isn't like you to be a mean, cold-hearted bitch."

"If you are referring to my treatment of the blonde pinup bitch, then I hate to break it to you, but yeah, that was all me." My belly was full of fire, and I was spitting it out.

He was across the room in two long strides. "You're pissed off that you didn't get your way. I get it. But that is life, so grow the fuck up, Abby, and act your age."

"Oh right, you mean I should act like a girl because that's what I am, remember? A. Girl."

"You want to be treated like an adult, then here is your perfect opportunity to act like a fucking adult. Your aunty is taking you in. Be fucking grateful."

"You know what, Reaper?" I was on the tip of my toes now, glaring into his face. "Fuck. Off. And take your advice with you."

"You're more trouble than you are worth."

"Well, then you must be over the moon now. Because you won't be seeing me again after this." I couldn't be sure why I felt so angry and hurt by that fact. "When you ride out of here in a few minutes, you won't be coming back. There is no club in fucking Rod Valley. There is no fucking reason for you to be back here."

I watched realization flash across his eyes and for a split moment, I thought I saw pity within those big, gray-black, soul-sucking eyes of his.

"And it is not like you are going to come back here to see me, right?" I crossed my arms, taking a step back away from him.

Then he said what I was hoping he wouldn't. "I guess you're right."

I was more than right; I was bloody sure of it. There would be no more running into him at club parties.

No club, no Reaper. It was that simple.

Dad had taken more away from me than just my friends, home, and school. He took my Reaper as well. Maybe that was why the fury in my stomach couldn't be put out.

Kade took a step forward. Slowly, he ran his knuckles down the side of my face. He looked down at me as if I was something special—his something special.

"You're a good girl, babe. Maybe it's a good thing. You were always too good for me." The corner of his lips twitched into that alluring smile I had dreamed about. "You always deserve better than me. This will just make sure you get something better."

"Yeah, something." I felt bitter and robbed, but mainly just sad. "I kind of really liked you, Reaper." My lips formed a tight smile.

He pulled his hand away and without his touch, I felt hollow.

I thought I had dealt with a few hard things during my life, but watching him turn away and walk to my door just blew my heart apart.

He paused, hand on the door. "If you get in trouble and you need me, call me." He didn't look back and why I might have wished he would, I knew it was better if he didn't. If he did, it might be harder for me to let him leave.

"Ok." As soon as the words left my lips, he opened the door and walked out, closing the door behind him, leaving me empty and surrounded by brown boxes.

# Chapter 10

Abby

Perhaps it was the fire within my stomach, or maybe I had finally lost my mind. Either way, it still may or may not have influenced my next move. Opening the door quickly, I caught Kade in the hallway.

"Stay the night."

He stopped.

"It's late, and you have been riding for hours now. I'm sure the boys won't mind the stopover, and I'm sure they can find a bar within this shithole town."

I was beginning to think I was talking to myself until he turned around. That look in his eyes, it was the look that drove me insane.

"And why would I do that?" He titled his head to the side. He wanted me to convince him.

I didn't know what to say. I had acted like a hell of a bitch to him for a few days, and there I was asking him to stay around a bit longer.

"Because you want to." The words tumbled out, and when he didn't deny it straight away, my heart swelled. "So what do you say, Reaper?" I stood in front of him, having closed the gap between us completely. "You up for one night of fun?"

What would we do? Where would we go? I had no idea and no plans but all in all, it didn't matter. I just wanted to be with him, and seeing the debate in his eyes, I knew he wanted to be with me just as much.

"What are you two doing?" Kim's voice floated up the hallway. It was sharp and abrupt, just like her.

I looked around Kade but before I could say anything, he spoke first.

"Your sister and I are heading out for a bit." He turned back around. "Got a problem with it?"

Kim wasn't stupid. She knew when to hold her tongue. Her eyes locked with mine for a moment, and I swear she was trying to tell me not to make the same mistake as her, but with a quick nod of her head, she backed away from the subject. "I get it. Just be back in the morning." She looked Kade up and down once more, then looked back at me. "Don't do anything stupid, Abby."

With those fine words of advice, she disappeared.

"Give me a few minutes to shake the boys. Then come out the front when you're ready to leave." He didn't and wouldn't meet my eye.

I suppose this was the perfect opportunity to get changed and try to look more like a girl than a wasted, bitter rag.

***

I always thought that I would get used to it—the second glances, the dirty, scared, envious looks. I always thought that one day, it wouldn't bother me. Maybe I would no longer notice, but as I stood in line with Kade, I knew that it was never going to happen.

Honestly, how could I expect that? Bikers drew attention, and that was that. Look at the guy; I gawked at him, too. He was six feet tall, dominant, broad shouldered, and had that look, which caused women's hearts to race and fed her daydreams. He had the attitude, the look, and of course that haunting tint to his eyes. But it was more than just the way he looked. It was the club leather vest, covered in patches and faded from the road. He was part of something that they didn't understand. Some loathed it; others wanted to be involved in it. He walked around wearing something that said 'fuck your rules' to the world, and they loved it or feared it.

"I hate fucking lines," Kade muttered under his breath. He pushed the sleeves of his black shirt up, displaying his tattooed arms. "You would fucking think they would have more than one person serving."

I shrugged my shoulders and suppressed the smirk.

Finally, and I think just before Kade was going to march through the line and demand a seat, a waiter ushered us to a table.

"They'd better serve normal food." Kade slid into the booth, and I went around the opposite side.

"Don't worry, Kade, I'm sure there is a burger on the menu for you." I giggled and swiped the menu off the table. "Do you need help finding the children's menu?"

He gave me an 'I'm not amused' look before looking back down at his own menu.

Since we left, he had been uptight more than normal. I still couldn't be sure if it was because I had roped him into this or he was worried my dad might find out. Either way, it didn't explain the weird looks he kept shooting me.

"Sooooo..." I put my menu down and brought my elbows on top of the table.

"So?" He didn't look up.

"Do you think they serve alcohol?"

He looked up with a dry expression. "They have fucking cupcakes on the menu, what do you think?"

"Tone down the bitchy, would you? I was just asking."

"I've been telling you that for days," he grunted.

"Don't turn this conversation back to me." I hated eating my own words.

"For a smart girl, you do really stupid stuff." He dropped the menu, meeting my eyes.

"Care to explain, Reaper?" I tapped my finger on the table, and while my better judgment was telling me to leave it alone, I poked his question to see if he would tell me what he was really thinking.

He leaned across the table, those deadly gray eyes burning with emotion and questions. "What the fuck is this?"

"This is a café."

"Don't play mind fucking games with me. You know what I mean. This. What is this?" He moved a hand behind me and him. "We have tea and then what? Where exactly do you see this night going, Abby, cause I can fucking tell you right now, this isn't a date."

If I was to decide or label this night as something, I would label it as me clinging to the one chance I have at being with him. Hell, might as well just bring it to him.

I leaned in and made sure to lower my voice. "I see this night ending in a cheap motel somewhere, with you and I finishing what you started all those years ago." I made sure to keep my tone in check, and it didn't waver once. My emotion also stayed out of my eyes.

He blinked, then blinked and looked speechless.

"That sound ok, Reaper?" I raised an eyebrow and sneered at him from across the table.

Finally, that taunting smirk of his graced his lips. "It sounds like we are skipping dessert."

I laughed and shook my head. With flushed cheeks, I looked back down at the menu. My stomach flipped and flopped, but my mind was set on the idea, and I wasn't backing down.

Reaper

I was nervous. Never been this nervous. I always held a gun with a steady hand when I was about to take a man's life and always made decisions with a clear mind. But when it came to Abby, my mind was fucked.

Failing to work.

It hadn't been working since she said the words 'finish what we started.' You don't say that to a man. Especially not me. I never left things unfinished. Abby was different. I never considered us to have unfinished business.

I just considered myself an idiot for having feelings for a woman completely out of my reach. Hell, this was the first time ever I felt something for someone. Of all people, it just had to be her.

"I need you to piss off." I walked up to the motel reception desk. The old guy behind the counter just looked at me with wide eyes. I guess I was abrupt. Maybe I needed to talk in a way he would understand. "How much will that cost?"

"You want to hire the place for the night?"

"You vacant?"

"Yeah, we are empty. Not our rush period."

I doubted this place ever had a rush period. But it was my only option. The other motel, which was slightly better than this, was occupied by The Club. So I couldn't take Abby back there. And this place didn't even have a hotel, or something flash.

This was it.

She deserved better. Hell, she deserved better than me.

"So you still interested in renting the place? Won't be cheap for every room."

My eyes gazed out the window. She was at the pool, putting in one foot, testing the temperature.

"You got cameras?" I looked back at the old man, who was summing up whether to give me a straight answer or not. I wasn't stupid. I knew when people were about to lie to me.

"Yeah we do."

"Turn them off and you have a deal."

He was debating about it. I could see it in his eyes.

"I'll be back at eight in the morning. If there is any damage, I'll be calling the cops. Hand over the cash and some ID."

That problem was now sorted. I had secured a place to spend the night with her. Now what the hell was I going to do? I couldn't let my guard down. I WOULDN'T let myself feel any more of her. If we did have sex, that is all it would be. Wasn't like I was making a commitment to her.

Then again, I had just put more effort into securing a place for her to make sure she felt safe. Normally I wouldn't even care if the girl felt safe or not. Again, I was lying to myself when I said Abby wasn't different.

Abby

I would be a liar if I said I was fine. I can't believe I was here. Then again, I wasn't being suffocated by nerves. I wasn't overthinking it. I was just going with the flow. But I did know if I wanted this evening to go as planned, I would have to push it.

What was taking him so long? How hard was it to book a room? Wondering where he was, I looked up in time to see Reaper walking towards me and the reception lights flick off. Strange. I thought reception never closed.

Guess this was a small town. Maybe they knew there would be no more business coming their way.

Guess this meant there was no room service. I looked up at the stars. One bonus of a small town was the sky really lit up at night. The moon was huge. I had never seen it this big. But did I ever really take much notice of the moon? Maybe not.

The air was still hot and sticky even though the sun had gone down. You would think it would cool down, but it seemed my new home was in the middle of a mean summer.

I had already slipped my sandals off. Sitting at the edge of the pool, I slowly dipped my feet in. God, that was refreshing.

I reached for my clutch, pulling out my cigarette packet. Empty. Well, that's a fan-fucking-tastic way to start the evening.

"Here."

I turned and looked up just in time to see Kade handing me a lit cigarette. My fingers brushed his as I took it off him.

"Thanks."

So, my confidence from earlier was shaking at the mere touch.

I sucked in the cigarette, needing it more now. Just stay strong, Abby. Just stay strong.

"Hot?"

"Yeah," I tilted my head to look at him. "Aren't you?" I looked at him with his tee shirt, leather vest, and jeans, as well as big steel-toed boots. I was hot and I was in a dress. Suddenly, I felt like a complete fool for even saying it. Clearly he dealt with the heat better than I.

"Nah. It's always hot where I am."

Well, that answered my thoughts. I handed him back the cigarette. "I have a feeling it's going to be like that here too. Much to my disgust."

"What? Do you hate the heat?"

"Yes. Who likes sweating twenty-four seven?" Seriously. I couldn't be the only one to think that. He shrugged his shoulders, clearly not sharing my point of view. "You're strange." I shook my head, my blonde hair whipping around.

So now here I was. Finally reaching a situation Reaper and I had been heading for since he saved me.

Withdrawing my feet from the pool, I got up. My eyes slowly scanned his muscular body till I reached his eyes.

They were set on my face. One move, that was all I had to do to make this happen.

Would he take charge once I took the dive?

Going up on my tippy toes, my lips brushed his and just as I hoped, he took charge. Lifting me off the ground, he wrapped my legs around him and suddenly I wasn't breathing air. No, I was breathing Kade. We traded long, deep kisses as he walked us towards a room.

Was I making a mistake?

Would I regret this?

I don't know. But it felt so darn right. So I didn't fight the need to cling to him tighter, or kiss him firmer.

I just didn't care.

Reaper

I ran my hand up her bare back as she slept. I couldn't stop myself from touching her. I hadn't had enough of her. Couldn't get enough of her, which was why I was awake so early. I listened to her inhale softly and exhaling slowly.

I swear, listening to her breathing was calming me and also stopping me from what I had to do next.

I had gotten a taste of her, and I wanted more.

I wasn't ready to leave her.

I wasn't ready to let her live a life without me in it.

So I was going to do what I always did when something came my way that I wanted. I would take it.

I kissed her bare shoulder and got out of bed. Leaving her right now was one of the hardest things I've done. But I had to do it for my plan to work.

I was going to give up my patch. As soon as my eyes laid on her naked flesh, I realized my patch was the least I would give up to spend time with her. I knew Roach wanted a new VP and I had enough experience to get it. Then once that was settled, I wasn't going to rest till she was back at the club where I could watch her every move and when I wasn't doing that, I'd be sneaking her into my bed.

I scribbled a note for her to stay put till I got back. I took another long look at her before leaving.

God darn she was beautiful and if I had my way, she was going to be all mine.

# Chapter 11

Abby

I found out the hard way and maybe that was my fault, or maybe I was just as stupid as my sister. It didn't matter as I stood at the reception desk listening to the man order me a taxi. The details of the night before were blurry at best, but this morning's memories were crystal clear.

The feeling of waking up alone in a motel room, the feeling of my stomach dropping when I reached out to the other side of the bed and found that Reaper wasn't there. He didn't even stay long enough to say good morning. Hell, he didn't even stay around long enough for me to wake up.

As I chewed over this morning's events, I found myself becoming more bitter by the moment.

Why didn't he wait? Why couldn't he just wait until I woke up?

"The taxi will be here in about ten minutes."

My head snapped up to the man behind the counter. I could see the pity in his eyes, and that was only making the disappointment in myself grow.

"Thanks," I muttered, scooping my bag off the counter and heading out. The door chimed as I pulled it open.

The morning's air was bitter cold.

I felt like a cheap hooker waiting for the taxi of shame.

I wanted to hit him. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to whip all this anger I was feeling for him, at him.

I couldn't be sure what was worse: that I wanted to see him, or that I knew he had gotten what he wanted and left as soon as he could.

I knew he had no intentions of seeing me again. Perhaps that's why my anger was being clouded by this feeling of betrayal and hurt.

I thought he liked me. I thought we were different. All last night, I had somehow convinced myself that we would turn out different, but this morning, I realized there was no 'we.' There wasn't even an us.

"You look lost, love."

I was pulled from my thoughts, and I looked over my shoulder. I hadn't even noticed him when I went outside.

He was leaning against the wire fence, a cigarette in hand and this devilish charm within his eyes. I could see with one look he was born to be trouble. Tall, chiseled features and eyes that could steal your every thought shone in the sun.

"Not lost, just waiting," I replied and for the second time today, I heard the emptiness in my voice. I might be feeling like a depressed train wreck, but I didn't like hearing that in my voice. Why couldn't I put up a front?

"The name's Drake." He flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, stomping on it.

I was freshly burnt. The last thing I needed was to spark an interest with another flame. I gave him a tight smile and turned my attention back to the road. I wished that the taxi would come faster.

"So not the friendly type then?"

While I may not be interested in letting myself be interested, he wasn't following the same reasoning. I let out a low sigh and dragged my eyes up to look at him.

"I'm just not in the mood."

"I get it, being freshly dumped does that to someone."

My face flashed with shock. Was it that obvious?

"You can wipe that shock off your face, love; I'm not a mind reader." He cocked his head to the side slightly. "Just putting two and two together."

"Two and two?"

"It's either A, you gave it up to a dude and he left before you woke up or B, a hooker. And if that is the case, I'm more than interested in the hourly rate."

"You're a pig!"

He chuckled. "Not the second one then. Pity, I was more than keen." He looked me up and down with his seductive gaze. "Come on, I'll give you a ride. Unless you want to stand here longer looking like last night's shag?"

The sting of my last bad decision was still freshly burning, and yet here I was lining up for a second round. So with crossed arms and a suspicious mind, I followed him to his car.

It was just a ride, right? It wasn't like I was going to end up screwing him in the backseat.

I closed the car door and gave Drake a side-glance. "The name is Abby," I muttered.

The engine roared to life and even though I had told myself it was just a ride, I had seen a glimpse of something within Drake's eyes—that look, that flicker—I knew this wasn't just going to be a five-minute ride.

But I wasn't reaching for the handle. Instead, I leaned my forehead against the cold glass. Life was defined by moments and experiences, right?

I suppose I was a sucker for self-punishment.

Reaper

One Year Later

Her blonde hair was ruffled, her cheeks flushed, and an amused smile played across her lips.

I ran the back of my fingers down her bare arm.

She curved back into me. "You know, Kade, if you keep staring at me like that, I'm going to think you're about to burst out with a proposal or something." She giggled.

I hadn't seen Abby so relaxed. So happy, and it was here in my arms. I was seeing it for the first time. Something bubbled in my bloodstream, pride I think.

"You're beautiful. You know that, right?" I looked into her crystal-blue eyes.

Her cheeks tinted red. "You can stop trying to charm me; you already got me."

I rolled her onto her back, keeping my arm behind her. I could feel her naked body underneath me and in this second, I felt like everything was alright. Fuck, what was this feeling consuming me?

She was a gorgeous rare gem that I felt was going to crumble in front of me.

I slowly lowered my lips to hers and she arched up, meeting my kiss.

She reached up, locking her arms around my neck. I was addicted to her touch, to that smile, to her. And when she pulled away, I cringed.

Just before worry consumed me, I looked into her eyes as amusement sparkled within them. "Kade, you're kind of a great kisser." A soft giggle fell from her lips.

Her face began to blur, then fade, and before I knew it, I was pulled away from her. I woke up alone in an unmade bed. Rubbing my eyes, I pulled myself up. My mouth was dry, and I craved water.

Abby's smile was still playing on my mind. Again, another memory of that night had managed to take over my dreams. Why couldn't I just have a dream instead of reliving something from the past?

I reached for the beer can beside my bed, and I felt immediate disappointment when I found it to be empty.

Abby Harrison was still playing on my mind, and it had been over a year since that night.

My bathroom door swung open, and Lea walked out wearing one of my shirts.

"You alright, Reaper?" She looked me up and down. "You look like hell."

"Thanks," I grumbled and got to my feet. Darn morning afters.

"Well, I'm heading out, got shit to do." She was freshly showered. "See you when I see you." She gave me a wave over her shoulder before leaving.

That was Lea for you; she wasn't the clingy type.

My phone had numerous missed calls, and I really couldn't be fucking bothered with returning them. My body ached from the long ride, and my brain throbbed from the lack of water.

I found it utterly frustrating that a mere memory of Abby Harrison could still upset me. She had looked at me like I was something special to her, that I was something to her, and then she just shut me the fuck out.

It still bothered me, and it didn't fucking help being back here. Roach rarely mentioned them, but still, I picked up on small things.

If I had known that Abby was going to turn as she did, I wouldn't have given up my President patch to be Roach's VP, but karma had it in for me.

Not only did the bitch lock me out of her life, she wouldn't even let me explain my plan, and now I fucking regret ever coming up with it.

I shouldn't have jumped as I did. I should have waited until the waters had calmed down to see what was going to happen between her and me. Instead, I handed in my patch and moved to be her father's bitch. Now I get to regularly be reminded what I wasn't. I wasn't a President. I wasn't Abby's man. I was washed up, regularly drunk, and doing Roach's dirty work.

I pulled my leather club vest over my bare chest and pulled on a pair of jeans. It was the middle of the afternoon, so the clubhouse would just be waking up.

It had been a big weekend with Roach's birthday, a party that neither of his girls showed up to. Abby and Kim haven't been back here since they left.

From what I picked up, Roach didn't really speak to them that much. Which was a fucking good thing if you asked; it kept Abby the fuck away from me.

I staggered down the stairs and could hear conversation from the club kitchen.

"Well if it isn't the Reaper!" Gitz smirked, raising a freshly opened beer.

"Bit early for that, isn't it?" I reached around him, grabbing a glass and heading towards the tap.

"You won't be saying that when I tell you something." Gitz had that evil grin of his, which told me he was about to tell me something that was likely to piss me off, which as a result would give him some joy.

"What?"

"Roach is heading down to see his girls."

"How the fuck does that have anything to do with me?" I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

Gitz's grin got bigger, and his eyes narrowed with amusement. Gitz had slowly over time became my best mate, and when I was drunk, I had told him shit that I really shouldn't have.

Gitz was a good bloke though and never repeated it, but still, seeing that grin right now, I regretted telling him anything.

"And Roach wants his VP to ride down with him. Pack ya bags pumpkin, 'cause you're hitting the road." He slapped me on the back, chuckling.

"You're fucking kidding me!" I yelled at his back, but he just kept laughing.

His laughter answered my own question. Suddenly all the missed calls from Roach made sense.

# Chapter 12

Kim

A final presentation and an English final were all my mind could focus on. It seemed like all year I had been working towards this goal and now that it was here, I was stressing out.

"Babe." Trent reached across the table, placing his hand on top of mine. "You really need to stop the pen tapping." Those kissable lips of his twisted into a smile.

"Sorry. I'm just, well..." I looked down at my blank piece of paper. "Unsure what to write."

"Well, good thing you have a full month before it is due." He let go of my hands and stretched his arms.

We had been studying for a solid two hours, and I loved that Trent was willing to give up his Friday night to help me study.

"You're right; we should really just have a break." I closed my textbook. "Seriously, I've knocked that paper out of the way and only have one more to go, so why don't we start our Friday night?"

"You sure?" He gave me a challenging look, as if he knew that I would still be thinking about this paper anyway, so why bother pulling me away from it.

"Yes, I'm sure. I want to spend Friday night with my boyfriend." It was settled; no more studying. "So what do you want to do?"

The front doorbell rang, and I knew that Aunty Amanda was at work and Abby wouldn't come down to answer it.

"Ok, hold that thought. I'll just get the door." I shot him a smile, and he nodded his head.

The one thing I loved about living with Aunty Amanda was there weren't strangers coming and going. I felt lame admitting it, but it made me feel a hell of a lot safer, not to mention I no longer needed that deadbolt lock on my bedroom door.

I opened the front door, and my smile dropped immediately. My good mood went with it as well.

"Kim." Drake smiled at me. "Abby in?"

"You know she is." I crossed my arms. I never tried to hide the fact that I hated him.

Drake was a cancerous worm that had wiggled his way into my sister's life. I didn't jump straight to hating him. It went from liking him, to not trusting him, to not liking him, to hating him. Drake looked at Abby as if she was his property.

"Going to let me in?" He put a foot in the doorway, and I didn't budge.

"No."

"KIM, LET HIM IN!" Abby shouted from the stairs.

Huffing, I stepped out of his way to let him in, and boy did he always manage to make himself at home.

"How are you doing, Trent?" I heard him ask Trent as I followed him into the dining room.

"Good, Drake, yourself?"

"Always good, mate." Drake shot him a wink and pulled out a chair.

I moved across the room quickly and went to sit on Trent's lap. I didn't know how Abby could stand to be around Drake; he gave me the fucking creeps.

"So how has your night been?" Drake started a conversation.

"Please don't ask them; they will bore you to death." Abby walked into the dining room and like always, she was wearing that pissed-off look. "Kim, Four Eyes," she shot at us. "Ready to leave?" She placed a hand on Drake's shoulder, and he got up.

"So you're going out?" I asked Abby.

"No, I'm walking out with a bag to sit on the porch." She rolled her eyes at me and handed Drake her bag. "God, you're dumb."

"Well, have a good night." I smiled faintly at her. I never thought I would miss my awkward, nerdy sister, but I did.

"I would say the same, but I really don't give a fuck if you have a good one or not." She pulled her leather jacket on.

Abby was thinner, meaner, and had this sharp edge to her. I would love to blame it all on Drake, but he really could not take all the blame. Abby had transformed into this mean bitch all on her own.

Trent's fingers were drawing a small circle on my lower back. I knew he was doing it so I wouldn't get upset.

It wasn't till the front door closed behind them that the tension in the air disappeared.

"Sorry for what she said." I kissed Trent's cheek. I didn't care that he wore glasses, he was a great guy, and the old Abby would have thought so, too.

"Don't worry, babe." He grinned at me, and I really don't know what I had done to deserve him to stand by me. When Abby did make an appearance, she was always saying hurtful things, and it was always about his glasses, which I found kind of cute.

Dipping my head down, I pressed my lips against his. Trent was super sweet, and Abby's mean comments slipped away quickly as my mind focused on more important things.

***

"Babe."

"Babe."

I groaned slowly, being pulled from my dreamy state.

"Babe, there is someone downstairs. Are you expecting anyone?"

I rubbed my eyes and sat up and looked across at Trent. "What do you mean someone is downstairs? Is it Abby?"

"I don't think so; they sounded like men's voices." Trent got up from the bed and flicked the lights on. "Do you want me to go down?"

I was wide awake; nothing like the thought of someone uninvited in your house to snap you from a sleepy state.

"No, I will." I pulled open the bedside drawer and tossed my undies around until my hand landed on the cold metal.

"Babe, really?" Trent shook his head in disbelief, eyeing the gun in my hand.

"Sorry, Trent, but I'm still a biker girl at heart." I opened my bedroom door. Trent followed me, and I was kind of glad he was behind me. Trent had a thin build, and I'm certain he hadn't thrown a punch in his life.

I flipped the hall lights on and listened for the voices. I heard footsteps in the living room and then noticed the light had been turned on.

Raising my gun, I rounded the corner. Dad's eyes snapped to me, wide and shock-filled. A wide smile broke out across my face, and I flicked the safety back on and tossed the gun into the recliner.

I threw myself into the brick wall known as my dad. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me off the ground, hugging me back.

"Daddy, oh god, I've missed you." I squeezed him tightly.

It had been exactly 55 weeks since I'd seen him and now that he was here, the feelings hit me hard. I had missed my dad and all his oddness.

Dad and I parted, and I realized Reaper was standing beside him. He was sporting a deep glare that was directed solely at me, and it really threw me.

The last time I remembered seeing him was when he left with my sister.

"And who is this?" Dad was looking over my shoulder at Trent. I spun around on my heel. Trent was standing in the doorway with a blank expression.

He knew about my family, but I think seeing them in the flesh for the first time was a bit shocking. Dad was intimidating.

"Dad, this is Trent, my boyfriend." I put my hand out for Trent to take.

I swear I could hear Trent's thoughts as his eyes locked with my father's. He was freaking out.

"Trent." Dad's eyes narrowed and looked him up and down. "What the fuck do you do?"

"DAD!" I threw a hand into his chest. "Don't speak to him like that."

"I'm studying medicine." Trent's eyes flickered to mine. "That's how I met your daughter at university."

"Dad, be nice," I hissed up at him.

Dad grunted something then looked over at Reaper.

"So why are you two here so late?" I looked at the clock behind them, which had just ticked three in the morning.

"Fucking police pulled us over on the way here. Went over the bikes then took us back for every fucking test known." Dad walked over to the couch and slumped into it. "Getting too old to be on the bike that long."

"Dad, don't be silly. You aren't even that old."

I looked over at Reaper. "So are both of you staying here?"

"If that's alright with you." Reaper's eyes were sharp and deadly. The hate within them really threw me.

"Um, yep, fine with me," I muttered and looked back at Dad. "So Trent and I might just go back to bed then seeing as you two aren't burglars."

"Righteo." Dad nodded his head. "Night, Abby baby; see you in the morning."

My eyebrows shot up immediately. "Abby? Did you just call me Abby?"

I couldn't be sure if I was insulted or just really pissed off that Dad had thought this whole time I was Abby.

"What, are you going by your full name now?" Dad challenged me, pulling his boots off.

"No, I'm going by Kim." I placed my hands on my hips. "Because that is my name!"

"Kim?" Dad's eyes shot wide, and he was quick to get up, pushing my blonde bangs from my forehead. He looked into my eyes for a few moments before he grinned. "Darn baby girl, didn't recognize you without the red hair."

"I've spent most of my life blonde, Dad." I rolled my eyes. "Now that this is cleared up, I'm going to bed with my boyfriend."

Dad looked stunned but nodded his head.

I shot a glimpse in Reaper's direction, and that hatred that had been in his eyes moments before was completely gone. Looks like he and Abby had some unfinished business, which really stirred my interest.

"Kim, just one thing."

"Sure, Dad, what?"

"Where is your sister?"

I dwelled on that question for a moment. I knew that wherever she was, she was up to no good and would be on the arm of one Drake Collins.

"You really don't want to know. Night."

I walked away, still holding Trent's hand. I wasn't going to blow the lid on Abby; she could face Dad's outrage all on her own. She would need that attitude when she went up against him.

# Chapter 13

Abby

Drake and I were far from Romeo and Juliet. What we had was dark and if anything, downright sinister. I hurled my handbag into the backseat of his car, and he started up the engine.

"You been shopping, babe?" Drake asked.

"No, what makes you ask that?"

"Haven't seen that bag before." He indicated into the street.

"It's old." I glanced across at him. "So where are we going again?"

He shot that trademark grin at me, and I knew instantly I wasn't going to like the answer.

"To the club, babe."

So we have it; I was right.

I stumbled up the front steps of the house of horrors. High heels and alcohol were a bad combination for any female, and I was clumsier than most.

The door opened up after I forced my key in it. I hated this place. I hated my aunt. I hated Kim and well, I just hated everything.

"You're going to wake everyone up." Drake followed me in, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Does it look like I give a shit?" I pulled my heels off and flicked the foyer light on.

"Ok, that's it." Drake grabbed my wrist, causing me to fling back around and once he had me facing him, he backed me up against the wall. "What's up, Abby? You're bitchier than normal."

Had I been? I didn't think I had been. If anyone else were in my shoes, I'm sure they would be struggling to find a reason to be pleasant as well.

"The door is behind you if you want to leave," I snapped in his face.

He arched both his eyebrows as if I was proving his point. "Fine, I'll go."

"Sounds great to me."

"You know what your problem is, Abby? You're selfish."

"You know what my problem is, Drake? YOU!"

"Oh, so it's my fault now, is it?" He shook his head, hand on the front doorknob. "You can't take responsibility for your own shit." He pointed the car keys at me.

For someone who was concerned about waking the household up, he didn't seem to be lowering his voice now.

"Maybe I'm just over this." I gestured between the two of us. "One day you want me, the next you want nothing to do with me, and then fuck, you want me again, but only to help you out."

"I told you I don't like labels."

"I'm not asking for a fucking label; I'm asking for some respect." I crossed my arms, and maybe it was the bitch in me coming out or maybe I was just fed up with men thinking they could treat me like this. I took two long strides towards him. "You think you can keep me in the dark. You think I don't know shit, but you're wrong and tonight, I've had enough."

"You're drunk, Abby, sleep it off."

"Is that your excuse tonight? When you had that stripper whore pinned up against the brick wall in the alley?" I shook my head at him, disgusted. "You honestly think that I don't know what you get up to?"

He looked like he had been caught out, and he had. This was the first time I brought it up with him. I had always looked the other way, but tonight, I'd had enough.

"I never promised to be faithful."

"And I never promised to be a ray of fucking sunshine." I glared back at him. "So get off my case about my attitude."

"Fine, whatever." He raised his hands, surrendering. "Hate everyone then and act like a bitch. I'm done."

"You're done again, are you? Well, fuck me, what a surprise. I catch you cheating, and you're done."

"I'm leaving before you say something you can't fucking take back."

"Like what? That I really hate you?" I screamed at his back. I threw my handbag in his direction, but it hit the door. He closed it just in time with a loud bang.

Drake and I fought. Drake and I fucked. Drake and I made up.

This was us, poisonous and unhealthy. I thought briefly for a moment about just leaving my upturned handbag on the floor, but then the thought of Aunty Escort going through my stuff had me on my knees and retrieving the bag.

Maybe I was getting bitter. Maybe I was more of a bitch. But then again, maybe I was just growing up.

I started stuffing my belongings back into the bag. Why does this bag have so much shit in it? Honestly, I had only picked it up out of the back of the closet because it matched my outfit. I didn't sort through it at the time, just stuffed in my purse and phone.

I nearly had everything back inside the coffin bag when I picked up the last thing. It was a crumpled, folded piece of paper.

I opened it up, expecting one of my old drawings.

'Abby, be back soon. Gone to sort some shit, don't leave. Kade.'

I read it. I read it again. Then I read that same sentence for the third time, frowning and confused.

Why did I have a note from Reaper? Why was it in my handbag?

I flipped the bag over, taking a better look at it. I was certain that the last time I used this bag was the same day I met Drake and the morning after Reaper and I... well, yeah.

I scooped my bag up off the floor and rose to my feet, my eyes still locked on the letter. It was like I was expecting it to disappear, or the writing to disappear. How had I not seen this that morning?

Maybe I was making this up. Maybe this wasn't even a letter from Reaper, perhaps it was just my drunken mind playing tricks on me, and in the morning, I would wake up to it actually being a receipt from the supermarket.

I dragged my legs up the stairs and headed to my bedroom.

I was sure to wake up to that letter saying something or being something. I had drunk a lot, and that made sense—more sense than it actually being a letter from him.

I flopped onto my bed. Sleep was what I needed.

***

I had showered and washed away the previous night's memories and makeup. Still, the crumpled piece of paper in my hand had Kade's scribbled message.

How had I missed this? Did it really make a difference now? I went over that morning in my mind. I remembered waking up and not seeing him there. I was upset. I got dressed as quickly as I could and swiped the contents from the bedside table into my handbag, which explained why I had a coaster from the motel.

Kade could have left this note on my phone, in my purse; it didn't matter because I hadn't seen it.

It was late in the afternoon. I had slept the morning away and had spent a good hour looking at that stupid piece of paper. Twice I had thought about calling him, and just once I thought of apologizing to him. I cringed, remembering the first time he contacted me after that night.

I got up and placed the note in my bedside drawer. At least I wouldn't have to see him anytime soon, if ever again.

That was the only thing making me feel a bit better about the situation; not having to face him. I closed my bedroom door and walked down the passage. I could hear Kim's sharp laughter and Trent's voice from here and by the time I got to the staircase, it was crystal clear. I didn't like Trent, but as Drake pointed out, I didn't like anyone. After Kim had her abortion, she seemed changed. To be honest, it was like she and I had changed roles. She threw everything she had into her studies and university. I just scraped through, and university really wasn't for me. I walked into the lounge looking down at the ground. I hadn't come down to have a conversation with them. I had come down to get my jumper off the clotheshorse, and then I was planning on heading out and maybe seeking out Drake. But all my thoughts and plans for the day changed instantly when I looked up and my eyes locked with a familiar pair of eyes: my father's. Shit just got complicated.

# Chapter 14

Abby

Our story was never a love story. It was more of a cocktail of sorrows mixed with the odd good moment. It was short, it was bitter, and it left a permanent scar on my heart, not to mention a bad aftertaste.

I would never and could never deny it; Reaper changed who I was. As my eyes locked with his, all this time later, the memories flooded back to me, and the feelings that were attached to them floated through me. I was being pulled under quickly and going down deep.

I wondered how someone who had such godly looks could be so evil and cruel of heart.

Reaper

Loved her then, and that was quickly surfacing as I looked at her now. But as I stared back into her eyes, I couldn't see the sweetness that allured me in. Instead I saw nothing but fire and coldness, and that still fucking stirred something inside me. How was that possible? After a whole year apart? She was completely different to who ditched me at the hotel room; and it wasn't just the black hair, it was way she was staring back at me, without cowering and those blue eyes that haunted me- met mine and the only thought that repeated over and over in my head.

What the fuck did I do for her to leave me in that hotel room, to disappear, to cut me off? What had I done?

Then the bitterness of the bad blood between us engulfed the emotions I was feeling for her. She left me. But as I stared back at her now, I knew our story wasn't over- and that infuriated me because I never felt anything for a woman, why the fuck did I have to fall for her?

And how could fate be so cruel that it was going to make sure my path with her wasn't over?

Abby

"Abby."

My name pulled me out from the state I had entered, and I looked back at my father. I couldn't believe he was there—with Reaper.

"Dad." I forced the feelings to stay out of my voice. I wouldn't give Reaper the privilege of hearing anything but coldness in my voice. I would never let him get close again. Sure, I had found a letter, but deep down I felt like it hadn't changed much.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

The timing couldn't be worse. The night after I found the letter that could have changed everything, and Reaper was standing in Aunty Amanda's living room the next day.

"I thought it was time I caught up with my girls." He seemed to be telling the truth because he was able to keep eye contact with me. "Been missing my girls."

Been missing us, has he? Then why didn't he call? Why hadn't he come sooner? Today's world made it so simple to get in touch with someone if you really wanted to. There was no excuse for his silence.

"Well, that's great." A bitter smile crept across my lips. "I'll leave you and Kim to it. Just let me know when you roll back out of town."

I turned to walk out of the room. It looked like I needed to pack an overnight bag and would be crashing somewhere else for a few nights. Surely he wouldn't be staying longer than that.

"Abby!"

"What, Dad?" I sighed and turned around with a deflated look on my face. I wasn't interested in what he had to say, and I wasn't interested in hanging around to listen to it.

"Come back here."

"I really don't see the point."

"You can't speak to me like that."

"Sorry, Dad. I guess I'm just not used to speaking to you." I crossed my arms and gave him a pointed look. "Last time I checked, your motto for being a dad is when things get hard, ship them off to the whore because she will be a great role model."

He rose from the chair with the look of a raging bull. "Reel ya shit in, Abby."

"How about I just ride out instead?"

"Dad, just let her go, will you? She will get your blood pressure up," Kim snapped into our conversation. "Really, Dad, just let her go. She won't back down."

"Yeah, Dad, listen to the model daughter of yours." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Kim just has so much good advice these days, especially when it comes to getting pregnant and aborting it." I shot her a smug look. She hated me mentioning her abortion, so I did it frequently.

"Abby, that really isn't nice," Trent spoke up, trying to come to the defense of his halfwit of a girlfriend.

"Trent, your face really isn't nice, but yet I have to deal with it regularly." I shot him a tight smile and a "mind your own fucking business" look.

"ABBY!" Kim got to her feet and for once was actually seen off of Trent's lap. After all, since she started dating the walking pizza, she had decided to become a lap poodle.

"Not my fault he looks like a pizza topping gone wrong." I shrugged my shoulders, pretending to come off innocent. To be fair to Trent, his skin wasn't that bad, but I heard Kim mention once he used to have bad skin, and it is sort of a weakness and a sore spot for him.

So being the bitch I am, I take someone's weakness and punch them in it. "Now if you all don't mind, I have places be, with people I actually give a fuck about. So see ya later, and I hope that later isn't anytime soon."

Sure, I was a bitch. I wasn't denying that or making excuses. Perhaps I had grown up to be Satan's Bitch, as Kim liked to refer to me as.

I left the room in silence. No one said anything to me. Nobody stopped me from leaving, either. A large part of me felt pleased with that because I had what I wanted. I wasn't wanted by them. They wanted me gone, and I wanted to be gone.

Funny how sometimes things worked out.

# Chapter 15

Abby

Novels; it was something I had yet to give up. I flicked the page. I wished my life was as thrilling as the ones on the pages.

"We need to talk."

Drake walked into the lounge, scotch glass in hand. I closed the book I was reading and arched an eyebrow after taking in his expression.

"What's wrong, Drake?"

He lowered himself into the armchair across from me. "After last night, I didn't think we would see each other for a while and..." he gestured his glass towards me. "You just turn up like nothing happened."

"What do you want me to say?" I pulled my legs off the chair and twisted to face him full on. "Come on, Drake. I was drunk, you were drunk. Two plus two equals us fighting."

Drake dropped his head to the side, studying me. "How many times do I have to push you away till you see it?"

To see that we were the worst possible match ever? I already knew that. I had already seen that. But here I sat on his couch, reading a romance novel, acting like he hadn't cheated on me the night before.

"My dad and his sidekick rocked up this morning. I had to leave the house, and once they are gone, I will leave. Promise." I snatched the novel up from the couch and got up. "Don't worry, Drake, I haven't forgotten what happened." How could I? Even with a fuzzy memory, I still classed it as a fight we wouldn't be coming back from.

"We're still friends, Abby." He got up, grabbing my wrist just before I was about to walk away. "Nothing can change that, so you're welcome to stay as long as you like."

Friends. We were never friends to begin with.

"Sure." I gave him a tight smile. "I guess the whole boyfriend and girlfriend thing never worked out. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that we never really became boyfriend and girlfriend." We had skipped every step and went straight to the fighting and the sex. "I'm going to go have a nap; didn't get much sleep last night."

"No, you didn't." He gave me a half smile. "You know, Abby, I think we would work together better as friends. No messy stuff to cause our fights, yeah?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Sure, Drake."

I didn't really feel anything about us openly admitting we weren't going back to that fighting, messed-up couple. A part of me, a large part, just didn't care anymore. I suppose I really didn't care about anything.

"Oh, and Abby?"

"Yep?" I spun on my heel, now at the bottom of the stairs.

"Just so you know. Hard and mean doesn't really suit you."

"You haven't known a different side to me," I pointed out.

"Please. I still remember the girl who wouldn't let me leave the house without eating first."

"Maybe I was just worried you would end up skinny." I shot him a wink and started to walk up the stairs.

Maybe I had gotten hard. Maybe I had lost my 'good' side.

I sighed and closed the door of Drake's guest room behind me. Perhaps I needed to snap my life back into focus, but I just didn't see how I could do that, not when Dad was in town with the bloody Reaper.

I dropped the book on the floor and pushed down my jeans, climbing into bed. Maybe I just needed a good few hours' sleep.

Reaper

"Don't like what I'm hearing, brother." Roach put his glass down on the table, sitting directly across from me. He had his judgment eyes on and a cold expression to match. "You either start explaining or hand the vest over."

He wanted answers? Well, I didn't feel like giving any. I stared down blankly at the can of beer. All because of fucking Abby Harrison. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be answering to him. I should have never given up my President patch.

"Shit had to be sorted. I sorted it." I glanced at him. "Family is family, Roach; can't turn my back on them."

"The club is family."

"The club is the club." I swallowed the rest of my can and crushed it in my hand and tossed it in the side bin. "He's all the family I have, and I'm not turning my back on him."

"I'm not asking you to! I'm just making it clear that you stepped over a line and their shit is their shit, and you got no right getting involved in their shit when you're wearing that vest." He gestured to my club vest. "What you do affects the club. What you believe affects the club, and getting involved with that brother of yours affects the club."

I didn't have the best temper control, and I felt what little control I had slipping away with every word he said. There is a difference between a club brother and a blood brother. I'd never really seen that until now, but I guess no one ever dared to tell me otherwise.

"Not gonna apologize for what I did, Roach." My eyes were sharp as I looked at him. "I'd do it again; ain't gonna pretend like I wouldn't."

Roach looked at me solemnly for a few moments before getting to his feet. "Is that the only reason you agreed to come here? Because of him?"

"Well, I wouldn't come all this way to watch you have a family reunion, would I?" My tone was dripping in annoyance. "Look, ya wanted the truth, now ya got it. I came here for Drake. Blood is blood, and he called me shortly after you told me I had to come here. So it worked out well."

His top lip curled up. "You better watch ya tone."

"Why?" I rose to my feet, gripping the table. "You and I both know this VP shit ain't working."

"Not letting ya walk away, Reaper."

"Not asking." I shrugged the vest off. "I'll always pick blood over the club."

"You of all people know the club becomes blood."

"Roach. Ya telling me I can't help my brother? I'm telling you that where Drake is involved, the club don't mean shit." I stuffed the leather vest in his chest. "I guess you'll have to find someone else to do your dirty work."

"So that's it, ya walking away from the brotherhood for this!?" he roared, grabbing me by the cuff of my shirt and slamming me back against the kitchen wall. "WHAT AM I GONNA TELL THE BOYS? THAT THE REAPER WALKED?"

Gripping his shoulder, I pushed him backward. He might be strong, but I'm stronger; I guess it had to do with the fact I hadn't let my body go yet. "Tell them whatever ya like. I don't give a fuck."

Was I mistaken for walking away from a brotherhood that had been behind me for years? I wasn't sure, but Drake was the only brother I had. He might screw up regularly, but he was all I had.

Abby wasn't here, and I was thankful as fuck for that. The last thing I needed was seeing her judgmental eyes as she watched me turn my back on my club.

I slammed their front door and strode across the lawn towards my bike. Rage fired through my body at a hundred miles an hour. Kicking the bike to life, I had only one destination in mind—Drake's house.

Looks like I'll be crashing with my little brother for a while.

***

My blood ran hot from the run in with Roach when I pulled up in front of Drake's house. I wasn't in the best mood, I would admit that, but when I saw the trail of cars, the bikes, and the boozing teens on his front porch, I knew my mood was going to go downhill.

Should I have expected my brother not to be throwing a raging party on a Saturday night?

I stepped over a lightweight who had already passed out on the front lawn and headed for the house. I pushed a couple out of my way; it was their own fault anyway. Who makes out in a front doorway?

Drake had money. Family money. The house was big, old. We called it the haunted mansion growing up. He had the place to himself after Nanna passed, but by the look of it, he had made himself at home.

The bass of the music was deep, thick, and thumping. I scanned the lounge looking for Drake, then I spotted him dancing with a blonde.

Drake and his women.

I cut through the crowd and gripped his shoulder. Being my brother, it was in his blood to turn and throw a punch; I expected it and ducked.

"BROTHER!" A grin sparked across his face, and he lunged to hug me. "WHAT THE FUCK YA STILL DOING HERE?" he roared over the music.

"Gonna crash for a bit." I gripped his shoulder and yelled it in his ear.

He frowned and noticed the missing vest. I always wore a vest. He nodded his head with understanding. "My house is your house!" he yelled back.

Blood. That was what it came down to. I patted him on the back and he handed me his drink. "Enjoy the party, brother!"

He was speaking to me, but his eyes looked over my shoulder. I turned to see who had stolen his attention. In my head, the music faded, and all I heard was the increase of my own heartbeats.

Abby.

She was on the sunken level of the lounge, which was filled with people dancing, drinking. Abby was by herself, hands in the air, swaying to the beat. She looked to be high on something, but it was a sexy high.

Drake whacked me on the shoulder and mouthed "got to go" before cutting his way through the crowd of people.

When Abby threw her hands around his neck, I took a big gulp of the drink Drake had handed me. Looked like Abby wasn't just a guest but Drake's friend.

I didn't know how that made me feel. Pretty pissed off, I suppose.

She laughed as Drake twirled her around and then tightly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back into his chest. I knew where this was going, and fuck if I was staying to watch. I wished this night was over already. I picked up my bag from the hallway and headed upstairs. I needed to find a room to drink the night away.

# Chapter 16

Reaper

I had my morning scotch, trying to shake the pain of a hangover, when Drake dragged his topless arse into the lounge.

"Pour me one, will you?" Drake dropped down on the couch. "Good night." He yawned, then took the drink from me. "Nothing like a morning scotch to help a hangover."

"True."

We both raised a glass.

"So you bang that bird last night?" I swallowed the remaining dregs of my glass. I glared down at the carpet, remembering Abby draped all over him.

"Which one?"

"The brunette? You know, skinny, curves?" I looked at him.

"Oh," Drake's lips twitched into a smile. "You mean Abby."

He knew her name, more than he would normally know about a girl. Fuck, did he like her? My luck can't be that bad. The bloody woman was ruining my life.

"DRAKE?"

A voice I knew all too well called out. Looked like all my questions were answered.

Drake and I looked across the room, and there she stood, the devil with all her temptation. She was wearing a man's tee shirt. It wasn't mine though; why the fuck did that bother me?

Her legs looked never-ending, and the way her hair was frizzed, looking all sex-kitten like... damn, the woman was dripping in appeal.

Drake had noticed, and he was licking his bottom lip. "What's up, babe? You're awake early. Didn't see that happening till late afternoon."

I needed something stronger than this. I scoffed to myself, looking down at my glass.

"You... what... what are you doing here?"

My eyes shot up, and I saw Abby staring blankly at me. She was talking to me.

She tilted her head to the side. "Did Dad send you here?"

"I'm clearly missing something." Drake piped up, pushing himself back into the couch. "Come on, share."

"Reaper knows my dad."

"Your dad?" Drake frowned and looked at me. "Why the hell are you hanging out with her old man?"

"Her old man is Roach." I scoffed. "She didn't share that part, brother?"

"Never came up." Drake looked annoyed and then looked at Abby. "Why didn't you tell me?"

When she didn't answer, I turned to look at her. She froze, not moving an inch, just blinking. Slowly, she raised a finger and pointed it at me. "What... what... what did you just say?"

"Her old man is Roach?" I repeated for her.

"After that."

"What?" I had no idea what she was trying to get at; it was too early for this shit.

"You called him your brother." Her eyes flicked to Drake, "Is Reaper your brother?"

Drake looked reluctant to answer. He exhaled slowly. Looks like my little brother was scared of her.

"Yeah, it is true." Drake shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, Abby, never came up."

"Never. Came. Up?" She looked like a raging bull and was across the lounge in a flash, and for once, her anger wasn't directed at me. "Really, Drake?! It never came up. We were together for a YEAR!" She shoved his shoulder.

"HEY!" Drake grabbed her hand and stood up. "You never mentioned your old man being fucking Roach."

"Well, it just never came up," she snapped at him, ripping her hand back. "I can't believe you."

"You haven't changed, have ya? Still taking your hormones out on people." I rose up. Her sharp blue eyes locked with mine.

"You can go tell Dad I'm not coming back. So piss off, will you?" she snarled, rage flashing across her eyes.

"Not going anywhere."

"Leave."

"He isn't going anywhere," Drake piped up while also taking the empty glass from my hand. "He is moving in." Drake turned back around, pointing a glass at Abby, "And as you agreed to move in last night, I guess I should really introduce the two of you, seeing as we are all housemates now."

Fuck. Me.

"What did you just say?" We both said it at the same time, causing us to share a glance.

"Oh come on, brother, she's hot and a good cook." He winked at Abby. "And Kade is good to have around, Abby. Everyone thinks twice having the Reaper behind ya."

He could say Abby was made of fucking gold, and my opinion of her wouldn't change.

"I can't live here with him." Abby shook her head. "Sorry, Drake, but I've changed my mind."

"Abby, come on! What's the problem?" Drake pleaded with her.

"The problem is he works for my father." She shot me a hot look over her shoulder. "I don't trust him."

"Well then problem solved!" Drake grinned and then handed me a refilled glass. "Reaper isn't a Satan's Son anymore."

"What?" The edge in her eyes had softened as she turned to look at me. I noticed the way her eyes searched for my missing vest. "What happened?"

I threw the drink back and handed Drake the empty glass. "Nothing to do with you."

I wouldn't tell her shit. She would gloat. She would love to hear how I just gave my whole life up for her.

But at the end, it wasn't her fault I walked, it was me. I chose family over the club.

"I'm going back to bed; wake me when your whore is gone."

I left the room, not giving a fuck about the hurt in Abby's eyes. A taste of hurt would be good for her. She had caused me enough pain, and it was about time she got some.

# Chapter 17

Drake

I always had a habit of screwing a good thing up, and Abby was a living example of that. I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she read one of those novels of hers on the old couch in the shed. She was the type of girl that didn't mind hanging around the shed. I learned early that as long as you gave her one of her old books, she is happy to be anywhere.

"Keep staring at me, and I'll start to think you want something." Her eyes fluttered up from the book and looked into mine.

"Don't know what you're talking about." I looked back down at the engine I was working on.

Show Abby a bit of interest, and I won't live it down. It was hard enough trying to be her friend. I was just thankful she was at least giving it a go.

"So," she put her book down and got up. "What is the go with Kade? Why the sudden move in?" She handed me a rag to wipe my hands with.

Going from living by myself to living with my brother and ex-girlfriend is going to be a bit of a shock to the system, but hell, I was going to give it a go. "Kade doesn't have anywhere else to go, and when it comes down to it, the house is half his."

"Was he already staying here when you asked me to move in?"

"Does it matter?"

She shrugged her shoulders, but it was the hidden anger in her eyes that told me she wasn't telling me the full story, or at least leaving something out. "Depends if he is always going to be so snippy."

"Yeah, sorry about the comment earlier, Kade just, well..." I scratched the back of my neck. "Kade doesn't really respect women, so don't take it personally. You all are just property to him, or a means to an end, ya know?"

"Oh, I know." There was bitterness in her tone and frustrated, she ran her fingers through her hair, playing with it. It was a habit of hers when she was frustrated. It took me a solid few months to pick up on that one. "So I guess I'll just have to get used to his rudeness."

"I'm sure you can give it back to him, Abby."

She scoffed. "Doubtful."

I poked her with the spanner I held. "Come on Ab, we both know your inner bitch is itching to give him a service."

"He isn't worth it." She leaned back against the bonnet, crossing her arms. "So are you going to help me move my stuff over later?"

"Have you told your aunt that you're leaving?"

A grin spread across her lips. "Maybe."

"You haven't, have you?"

"Well, I'm sure once I start moving my stuff out, she will get the idea." Abby scooped up her book. "Now get your butt into gear and come help me escape from hell."

"Such a drama queen."

"Says the slut," she teased and poked out her tongue.

I watched her walk away and still couldn't figure out how things were going so well between us after everything.

Still wasn't going to question it. Having her around made my life a happier one.

***

"Come on brother, I need help." I knocked on Kade's door before opening it. I wasn't even half surprised seeing him lying on the bed, smoking something I knew wasn't a cigarette.

"What with?" he blew a mouth full of smoke out.

"Abby's bed."

"Busy."

"No, you're not. Come on, I've got a Ute full of her crap I have to bring in."

"I said I'm busy."

I picked up the first thing my hand landed on, which happened to be some old-fashioned vase thing, and threw it at him. I smirked when it hit his stomach. "Get up, you lazy shit."

"I'm not lifting a fucking finger for that bitch," Kade grumbled, pulling himself up from the bed before throwing the vase back at me, which hit the wall and smashed into pieces.

"Tone down the aggression, will ya?" I closed the door behind me. Abby didn't like Kade as it was and didn't need her hearing more shit coming out from his mouth. "Who peed in your beer, bro? Can't think of another reason for you to be so pissed off."

"Fuck off, Drake."

"Can't... need ya help."

He gritted his teeth and gave me the 'Reaper' look. Which was my brother's 'fuck you' glare.

"Come on, for your brother?" I pleaded and just to piss him off a bit more, I shot him a wink.

He was grumbling about how much he hated it here while pulling on his boots. I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes as he walked past, muttering about how Abby was ruining his life.

"You know, you and Abby both have a flair for drama." I chuckled, jogging next to him down the stairs.

"Fuck off; we're nothing alike." He snorted.

The front door was wide open. It was the perfect summer day. Abby leaned against the Ute chatting with the neighbor. She looked great; her hair out all sex kitten like and wearing those shorts. Damn, the girl was fit.

Abby spun around, her smile slowly fading. "Hi, Kade." She gave him her tight, forced smile, causing me to grin.

"Abby, seeing ya using the only muscle you know how, ya mouth." He pulled down the tray of the Ute. "Get out of the way, would ya." He shoved her and started to untie a rope.

Abby huffed and threw a punch into his arm, "Touch me again, and I'll make you regret it."

"Come on, you two, play nice." I stepped in before things got heated and took the other side of the Ute, catching the rope Kade threw over.

"Really?" Kade scoffed and threw her a disbelieving look. "Don't make threats ya can't keep, Abby."

"How about you just go back inside. I'll help Drake."

"With what, Abby? Ya pin muscles aren't going to carry shit."

"We will manage." She was pushing him out of her way.

These two were going to give me a headache. "Abby, cut it out. I can't carry this monster with you." I took the end of the headboard, and Kade jumped up to ease it down to me.

"Fine, but if you drop it, Kade, I will kill you." She huffed and watched with narrowed eyes as Kade stepped off the Ute.

With every item, Abby made it her mission to follow, threatening him the entire way. When we finally had everything in and done, I needed painkillers and a hard drink. Kade looked like he was boiling with rage. He hadn't snapped at her once, which surprised me.

I placed the glass against my forehead and lay on the couch with my legs hanging over the edge. I thought I was going to get some peace now that those two had separated, but that peace was short-lived.

"KADE, GIVE IT BACK!" Abby roared, and I heard her footsteps running down the stairs. "KADE!"

Don't come in here. Don't come in here. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth when I heard Kade's big footsteps come in.

"Drake, ya know about this?"

Why the fuck did I open my house to these two again?

"What?" I opened my eyes.

Kade held a silver gun. It wasn't overly big, but it looked well taken care of. "This?"

"Give it back!" Abby stormed in and charged at Kade; he fought her off with one arm.

"You're seriously letting her have a gun in this house? She will fucking kill herself!" Kade snapped at me, with a serious, pissed-off look on his face. "I bet she doesn't even know how to turn the safety on!"

"Kade, give it back to her." I pulled myself up and rubbed my temples. "It's hers."

"Yeah, give it back." She jumped for it, trying to get it from him.

"Abby, stop jumping," I asked her and stood up. "Give her the gun back, Kade."

"Fuck off; she isn't allowed one, and she doesn't need one either."

"Yes, I do. How else can I make good on my threat when I say "step into my room, I will shoot you." Abby looked smug. "Give me back, Kade, or I'll take your porn collection."

"You've been in his room?" I arched both eyebrows at her.

"Grow a pair, Drake, she's making shit up!" Kade rolled his eyes and slapped the gun down in her hand. "For the record, I'm not ok with this."

"I'm not ok with you being here, but yet here you are," she shot back at him with a burning look in her eyes.

Kade muttered something I didn't catch and stormed out. Abby looked down at the gun in her hands with a smile.

"You don't need that." I pointed my glass at her and gave her a hard look. "And you know it."

She rolled her eyes, "I know, but Kade didn't want me to have it. Call me childish, but it made me want to have it more."

"That is childish."

"Guess I'm a child then." She winked and spun away, her hair whipping around as she walked off happily.

It was only day one, and I was already regretting the decision to let them live here. It had to get better from here, right?

Abby

Aunty Amanda wasn't ok with me moving out. Neither was Kim, and I'm sure Dad would have had an opinion, too, if he was there. As my luck would have it, he had just stepped out when I arrived, and he hadn't come back in time to stop me. I was half expecting him to show up halfway through when we had the Ute loaded, but he didn't.

I pulled out a frame, which had a picture of my mom and I in it, placing it on the bedside table. My room felt like my room now.

It wasn't a guest room anymore. It was silly how a few simple things could make such a difference.

It was after midnight, and Drake was passed out on the couch downstairs. Kade hadn't shown his face since the whole 'you can't have your gun' show. I had the perfect opportunity to do the thing I had been dreading since that morning.

It took me a full five minutes to drum up the courage to walk to his door. Finally, I brought up a closed fist and knocked on his door.

I knew he wouldn't get his arse out of bed to open the door, so I let myself in, clearing my throat when I did.

"Reaper, you here?" I closed the door behind me and when I turned back around, my eyes landed on him.

He was shirtless, lying on the bed, one arm under his head. "Wrong room. Drake's two doors up."

His voice was empty of emotion, just like him.

"Can we talk?"

His chest rumbled with a deep laughter.

The moonlight was firing across his tattoos, defining his scars as well. His appeal was rocketing up, and I fought to keep the old feelings under control.

"Not stopping ya." He blew smoke from his mouth and then snuffed his butt out on the ashtray.

My pulse increased, but I kept a calm face on. "I wanted to say I'm sorry." I chewed on my bottom lip, frowning. Why was I apologizing again? Oh right, taking the right road.

"For what, taking off last year and leaving me hanging for months, dodging my calls? Or for playing house with my little brother?" Hurt crept into his words, and while talking, he pushed himself off the bed.

I opened my mouth, but I was still thinking or more like processing what he said.

Kade was tall, and his height dominated me. It was as if his skin radiated sex appeal, like a drug.

"I... I thought you ditched me..." I closed my eyes, cringing as I shared this with him. "I thought you had just left me there. Then the other day, I found that letter, and I'm sorry, you know, I'm sorry for not letting you explain, and I'm... I'm just sorry," I finished in defeat.

A few seconds passed and I opened my eyes. His face had a mixed reaction. I had just expected to see his normal hard, cold expression, but I didn't.

For a split second, I was reminded of the man that took me to that café.

"You should leave." He pushed the words out and took a step away from me, shaking his head. "No point bringing up shit that doesn't matter anymore."

"Doesn't matter? So I don't matter anymore?"

He hasn't seen you in a year, Abby. Wake up. He had called me selfish and a whore since he arrived.

"You're sleeping with my brother," he hissed through his teeth, "Coming in here, looking like that," he waved his hand at me. "It's asking for fucking trouble, Abby."

"Kade, it isn't like that."

One moment I stared into his eyes, and the next I gasped as he gripped my waist and pushed me back against the door.

"What are you doing?" I stuttered as I felt his hand slip up the back of my top.

He tilted his head to the side, watching the fear grow in my eyes for sure. "Drake likes you." He dipped his head down, his mouth hovering over my ear, "Pity he falls for the whores."

My eyes slammed shut, and I squeezed the unwanted tears back. "Let go of me."

"With pleasure." He pushed himself away from me, his hand gone.

I twisted around quickly so he couldn't see how deep his words cut. "For the record, Reaper," I twisted the knob, opening the door, "Drake and I are only friends, which is more than I can say for you and me." I hissed the words at him.

I left his door open and walked back to my room. I shouldn't have attempted to reason with him. I wiped an angry tear away. What had I ever seen in him?

# Chapter 18

Drake

My brother had many good qualities. He didn't blink when staring down the barrel of a gun. He didn't flinch when it came to blood. But when it came to a poker face, he just didn't have one.

I slapped down a full house on the table. "That's what you call a flush, brother, now pay up!" I laughed and raked in the cash from the coffee table.

"Bullshit." He pointed his cigarette at me, his eyes piercing. "You're fucking working the cards."

"More like you suck at poker." I threw the remnants of my whiskey back and poured him and myself another. "Told you I had gotten good."

"Cheating doesn't make you good." He grunted. "Four hands, you're fucking cheating."

I chuckled, enjoying his rage. "What do you say to another then?"

"I'm dealing." He swiped the pack of cards from me.

"Whatever." I raised my hands in defense. It didn't make a difference anyway.

I heard the click, click, click coming down the stairs. Abby was wearing heels. That meant...

"I'm going out," She paused in the large opening of the lounge. One of her perfect manicured eyebrows rose when she saw what we were doing.

"Where?" I asked, while Kade muttered something about not giving a shit; he and his bad attitude hadn't changed when it came to Abby.

"On a date." She spoke just before the doorbell rang.

My head whipped to Kade, and he looked back at me. We rose to our feet in unison, knocking everything off the table in our hurry to get to the door.

"You get her," Kade grunted, sprinting past me as I wrapped my arms around Abby.

"Let go of me." She hissed and kicked her feet.

Kade opened the door, and I pushed Abby behind us. Time to size this kid up and that was what he was, a kid. Was this guy even legally allowed to drink?

I shot a disgusted look back at Abby as she crossed her arms. "Get out of my way."

"What you want?" Kade grunted at the young punk on our doorstep. "Come on, spit it out," Kade pressured when the guy just stared.

"Reaper, Drake, get out of my way!" Abby stomped her feet behind us.

I turned to look back at her. "Is this kid even legally allowed to drive?"

"Are you?" She snapped back at me with a bitchy look. "Oh that's right, you lost your license, and yes he is! Now move!" She attempted to push her way through, but Kade and I were fucking bricks; she had no chance of success.

"I'm just taking... um... Abby out," he stuttered. He actually stuttered!

"MOVE!" Abby yelled.

"Are you her... ummm... her brothers?" He looked dumbstruck at us.

Kade's lips twitched, and I knew he was in for some fun. "Can't have sex with a sister, can you? Unless you're some creepy piece of work. You look like that type of freak."

I pressed my lips firmly together, and Kade's very few words sent Abby into a tantrum.

"MOVE KADE, BEFORE I TAKE THE POKER FROM THE FIRE AND RUN IT THROUGH YOUR BACK!" she roared.

Kade laughed and stepped to the side. "All you had to do was ask."

Abby's face was red and she was breathing fire. Darting between us, she grabbed the poor guy's hand and flung him around.

She was storming down the garden path with him in tow. Leaning against the doorframe, I watched them get into his car. "I don't like him."

"Why, scared he might take ya side, bitch?" Kade rolled his eyes at me.

"Didn't have to embarrass her." I gave him a pointed look.

Kade had spilled all about his and Abby's history; history I had known nothing about.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Doesn't matter, she was going to leave with him no matter what I said."

"I still don't like him."

We both watched the car pull away.

"Gay looking kid if you ask me." Kade's eyes met mine; we both seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Didn't look trustworthy, did he?"

"Definitely not an upstanding citizen like ourselves." Kade smirked then pushed off the wall. "Get ya shit already, I'm not the best tail driver as is."

Looked like we were on the same page. Hadn't planned on stalking Abby and her date, but hell, it wasn't like we had anything else to do. Plus he really didn't seem like her type—not one tattoo in sight.

# Chapter 19

Abby

I swirled the red wine slowly in the glass while looking across at Adam Jenkins. He was explaining the terms of my employment, and while I was acting to hang on to his every word, my real attention was on Kade and Drake, who were occupying the seats two tables across from ours.

Kade was screwing his nose up at the menu while Drake eyed the waitress.

"Abby, do you see any issues with this?" Adam asked, and my mind flicked back to the conversation I should have been listening to.

"No, not at all. The hours are reasonable, and I don't see any problems coming up." I shot him a flawless smile and then swallowed the rest of my drink.

I needed more wine.

Adam cleared his voice, and his eyes dropped down to his plate of food. For the first time this evening, he looked worried. "I, um... didn't want to bring this up, but..."

"You're concerned about what happened earlier?" I knew Drake and Kade's stupid behavior would come back to haunt me. Why did they have to do that? Couldn't they have just kept their noses out of my business? Just for once?

"Yes." His word was sharp. "They seem protective of you, and this role might conflict with that protection."

I couldn't suppress the smile. "Why, do you have a feeling they won't like me being used as bait?"

He raised both eyebrows at me, "You know that we'll pay you well because you are putting yourself in a dangerous situation."

"Like I told you in the car, Adam, they are my housemates, nothing more. They aren't my brothers, and I'm not in a relationship with either of them. So you can tone down the concern."

"Just making sure. I never hire a woman that has strings, because those strings end up screwing everything up." He shrugged his shoulders "And I'm sick of getting punched in the face by them as well."

I nodded my head with a small grin. "You have nothing to worry about."

"So the fact that they are dining here means nothing?" He looked over at the table and then gave me a challenging look.

"It's their favorite place in town to eat." I lied smoothly. I was sure Kade hated it here. After all, it didn't have his two favorite things on the menu—beer and hamburgers.

"Good to hear then." He leaned across the table, lowering his voice. "Because I have a feeling that you and I are going to work well together."

"I'm sure I will just be one of the many."

Adam Jenkins was a twisted and highly clever individual. Many women would fall for his charm and those brown eyes of his. I, on the other hand, have sworn off men altogether.

"Well then, here is to..." He pulled the wine from the cooler and refilled my glass. "A successful and long-lasting business partnership."

I raised my glass to his. "Cheers."

I was either making a good decision that would pay off, or jumping into a pit of fire with the devil himself. My eyes flickered across to Kade, and I realized that if this didn't work out, at least it wasn't the first sticky situation I would be getting myself out of.

***

I flicked through the numerous gift cards that Adam had left. I had gotten home before the boys because they, unlike me, had to pretend they were there for tea. So they hadn't left when he had.

I didn't trust Adam; maybe that was due to what he was employing me to do. Women that do the work that I am about to enter into are known as bait.

We are given someone who is either in a position of power, owed money to someone, or, well, the possibilities are endless. What we do is flirt, charm, and get them where our client wants them, whether that be in a secluded alleyway or in a compromising position.

"You home, Abby?" Drake yelled up the staircase.

Looked like the stalkers were back. I opened my bedroom door, "Yes, now are you going to tell me why you took it upon yourself to stalk me tonight?" I jogged down the staircase and then once at the bottom gave them a hard look. "Really, Drake? Are you going to be one of those exes?"

"Calm down, Abby. Maybe we planned on going there." Kade had a smug look on his face as they walked past me. "Not everything is about you, you know?"

"Please, you two had a whole evening of poker and drinking planned." I crossed my arms. "Don't lie; you followed me."

"Whatever," Kade walked off, and I turned to look back at Drake, who was nowhere near as good at lying as his brother.

"Well?"

Drake groaned, "It wasn't like that, Abby, promise." He decided instead of continuing a conversation, he would walk off and follow in the steps of his brother.

"You aren't getting out of it that easy." I followed him into the lounge. "You nearly ruined everything tonight, and you!" I pointed at Kade, "have no right to speak to me like that in front of people! Seriously, what the fuck was with that comment?"

Kade just shrugged his shoulders and turned his back on me.

I may have been mildly angry a few minutes ago, but his non-caring attitude made my temper rise to boiling in an instant. I grabbed his shoulder and pulled on it, forcing him to look at me.

"You're disgusting, you know that?"

His eyes hardened. "Well, my opinion of you isn't that high, either."

"Would you two cut it the fuck out?" Drake yelled at us "You are both doing my head in!"

"Not my fault she is a fucking walking hormone attack. Just got to look at her and she goes for the kill," Kade scoffed in my face while talking to Drake.

I clenched my fists at my side. "And what, you're better, are you? You and your disgusting comments! Not to mention, you seem to just breathe fire on me when I walk into the room, and I am warning you now," I pointed a finger at his chest while glaring up at him. "If you call me a whore one more time, I won't be responsible for how I act."

"THAT'S IT! I'm going out!" Drake roared and stormed out of the room.

Kade and I were too busy glaring each other off to watch him leave, but we knew he was gone when the door slammed.

"Now look what you've done, you've made my brother leave his own house." Kade's eyes were scorching. "Good one, Abby."

"Oh fuck you, Kade! You are a selfish prick, and I don't know what I saw in you."

His eyes rolled with humor, "Come on, babe, you saw what every teenage girl sees, a man she shouldn't have. You only wanted me to piss your old man off."

My mouth fell open. "Do you really believe that?"

He nodded his head with determination in his eyes. "Come on, Abby, admit it to yourself! No one is here, just me, and fuck, I already know it, so go on and admit it." He was towering over me, those eyes staring into mine.

"No."

"Ashamed?"

"NO!"

"Then what the fuck is stopping you?" he roared down at me. For a split second, I think I saw hurt within his black-gray orbs, but that was until he threw his glass across the room.

I jumped at the sound of it shattering against the wall. His eyes were painted in rage while his face remained unreadable. "You never gave a shit, Abby, you just wanted to fuck me, to fuck off your old man, and ya did."

All this time, this was what he thought? This was all he thought of me?

A lot of women would back down in this type of situation. Hell, the rage in his eyes would have men running, but me, well, I'm stubborn. I grabbed his arm, forcing his tee shirt sleeve up. "Would I have drawn this if you meant nothing to me?" My eyes glanced at the picture I drew him all those years ago. "You want the truth, Kade? You want me to admit it?" If he wanted to hear it, fine. What did I have to lose? I lost my pride a long time ago and my self-respect the morning I woke up alone.

"Ever since I was sixteen, I loved you. I fell for the one thing I knew I should never want. You think I used you?" I tilted my head up at him. My heart was burning just touching him, and yet I couldn't pull my hand away. "I couldn't breathe when you weren't around and when you did show up, everything stopped, and all that mattered was you were there, and for those few days, everything felt right." Hearing myself admit it only dug the hurt deeper. I was so stupid.

"I woke up alone in that motel, and it nearly killed me knowing that the one person I trusted that I loved, left." My body was blanketed by the memory. "You didn't break my heart, Kade." My eyes swelled with tears. "You destroyed it."

The anger I felt for him was nothing compared to the pain I carried because of him. The hours I had lost crying over him.

"Do you know the most depressing thing?" My eyes stared into his. "I would do it all again." And that truly scared me.

He hadn't spoken a word. His face held no expression, and his eyes showed no remorse. I took a step back, letting my arm fall to my side. The tears fell while my lungs struggled for air. "You wanted the truth, and there it is."

He just stood there, and why did that shock me? He is called the Reaper for a reason. My lips formed a tight line, and when I couldn't take the silence anymore, I turned my back and walked away.

Time had passed, but the wounds still hadn't healed. How was that even possible?

Closing my bedroom door, I slid down it, leaning my head against my knees. All this time I had thought I was over him when really I had just been covering the wound up. Now the Band-Aid was off and the tears just wouldn't stop.

# Chapter 20

Abby

I didn't think it was possible, but the tears did stop. When they did, my clarity followed soon after. I had cleansed him out of my system, and I would love to say forever, but I knew better than to believe that.

"Abby?" Drake knocked on my door before entering. "We're ordering pizza, are you interested? Oh, wow." His mouth dropped open.

"How do I look?" I turned my back to the mirror to face him. I never really cared for a cocktail dress, but it was black. It was meant to be sexy, so I hoped that the two would help me tonight.

He slowly nodded his head, "Um, yep, wow." He finally brought his eyes to mine, "Where are you heading out in that?"

I could tell him the truth, or I could lie. "Nowhere special." I decided to avoid the question altogether. "I will have to give the pizza a miss tonight."

"Clearly," he muttered.

I picked up my oversized purse from the bed and followed Drake out. "So I guess you guys have the house to yourself."

"Are you coming back tonight?" He still couldn't take his eyes off me, which gave me a confidence boost.

"Not sure. I hope so." I gave him a side smile and took the steps one at a time. These high heels could kill me. I was sure of it.

"Abby is heading out, so it's just us," Drake spoke into the lounge while I made every effort not to look at Kade.

"Night." I waved over my shoulder and headed for the front door. It's not hard to say a word, but it seemed like Kade had just forgotten how to speak altogether. Great that he discovered this after I spilled my every secret to him.

***

He wasn't someone important, and why Adam wanted me to flirt with him, I didn't know. But I did it, and I guess I did a good job because after I was done, I got a message saying, 'great work speak soon, Adam.'

I closed the front door softly and pulled my heels off one at a time.

"Starting to think you weren't coming back."

I froze in the foyer, holding my heels, and slowly turned to look through the opening to the lounge. Of course he wouldn't be in bed like a normal person.

"Well, I am." I gave Kade a dry look "Surprised to see you are still up."

"Really?" He walked towards me, "Because I thought it was obvious that our conversation wasn't over."

"You mean the conversation the other night that ended when I walked out of the room."

I wouldn't let him think he had the upper hand. I hadn't been like a little girl, hanging on his every word, waiting for him to continue.

"You can't just dump that on a man and expect him to have an answer, Abby." The fact he was now standing in front of me made it a lot harder for me to think straight.

"Well, next time I will put it on Post-It notes for you." I looked him sharply in the face. "Now if you don't mind, I want to go to bed."

Want to know what the problem is having an argument with a hotheaded biker? They decide when the conversation ends, so I wasn't even the slightest bit surprised when he gripped my wrist, turning me back to face him.

"Reel in the bitch, would you, Abby?" he fumed down at me.

"How about you just fuck off?" I spat up at him, with so much rage across my face. I expected him to fight back, to say something that would make me hate him that bit more; instead, he laughed.

His stomach shook with laughter, "Now that right there is why I can't get you out of my head." His laughter slowly dried up and he let out a low sigh. "Abby, you want the truth?"

Did I want it? I was still shocked by his laughter, not to mention the words that followed. I slowly nodded.

What was he going to tell me? I braced myself, and his fingers traced the side of my face as he looked at me like I was something special. Don't fall for it, Abby.

"You and I just can't work." His mouth spoke in my ear, "And that is the truth."

Heartbreaking? No. Heart-shattering? Yes.

He went to pull away, and I gripped his neck with force. I pulled his head back at me, staring into his eyes. "Don't lie to me. The truth is you are as hung up on me as I am on you." My eyes flickered to those lips of his. "You can say what you want, but I know the truth."

"You don't know anything."

I smiled, "Maybe you're right." I rose to my toes and whispered in his ear, "Or maybe you just can't get me out of your head."

I don't know what I expected, but I sure as hell didn't expect what happened next.

