Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
****
“Where’s Robin?” Billy asked.
“As safe as she can be at Anne’s house. Do you have anything?”
“I’ve got some favors and I sent this out to the city big boys to run through. We got a couple of hits,” Billy said, spinning the computer monitor so he could see.
He glanced through the list of men all wanted in several murder cases. They all had a list of rape, assault, possession, and priors. Each one part of a gang, a vicious group of men known for hunting easy, vulnerable prey.
Preacher’s blood ran cold as he connected the dots.
When he saw the sketched images, he had this vague recollection of knowing them. Now, as he looked at the images on the screen and saw their names, he knew without a shadow of a doubt.
“They’re Reaper’s men. They work for the Slaves to the Beast.”
Which meant if Robin was taken, Reaper was the one to give them the fucking key.
Chapter Six
“She’ll need feeding and I’ve noticed she loves pureed apple and carrot.”
“She also likes to eat potato chips. I keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t choke. You seem to forget I’ve been taking care of her for some time now, Robin. You don’t need to worry.”
Robin nibbled on her lip. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m crazy. I know. You’ve had her for a lot longer than I have.”
Reaper grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “You need to stop stressing out about the small stuff. I know what I’m doing here. Remember, Bethany missed her mother.”
She tried not to tense in his arms. Ever since he’d called her the night before while she’d been taking a bath, she’d felt uneasy. Even last night her dreams had been plagued by the first couple of weeks when he’d taken her.
It was like her past memories were fighting with her present ones and they were reminding her she had to remember what Reaper did. He wouldn’t hurt her, she knew that. Not now at least, but he had hurt her, and all for the sake of some revenge against Preacher. For so long, she’d been nothing but a means to an end for him.
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. He’d been aiming for her lips but she’d pulled away and instead, he’d kissed her cheek, nearly.
“I’ll be back to pick her up soon, okay?”
“You take as long as you want. Actually, there was something I really needed to talk to you about. When you’re done with whatever it is you need to do, you think we can talk?”
“Yeah, of course.”
She pulled out of his arms and the moment she took a step away from him, she felt relieved.
“It’s Preacher, isn’t it?” Reaper asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” Reaper pointed at her. “It’s because you’re close to him again. I can read your body better than yourself, Robin. I know you’ve got feelings for him. I know he’s part of your life.”
“He will always be part of my life, Reaper. Nothing is going to change that.”
“No, but I’m still your husband and your child’s father. That counts for something.”
“I know.” The guilt filled her again and she tried her hardest not to show it. “Thanks for taking care of her.”
“Anytime. She is my daughter, you know. It’s not exactly a hardship.”
The longer she was with him, the harder the guilt got. This was totally unfair of her to do this to him.
“I better go.”
“Do I get a kiss?” he asked.
She clenched her hands into fists, hoping above everything he didn’t see her do it. She stepped up toward him and pressed a kiss to his lips.
He banded his arm around her waist, held her close, and slammed his lips down on hers.
No!
Don’t struggle.
Take it.
Don’t let him know.
She kissed him back even as her stomach turned and she wanted to throw up. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him close.
“Fuck, Robin, I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
It was easier to say the words than walk away. They were lies. There was no way you could love someone and feel this disconnect. Her body rejected him, as did her mind. All she wanted to do was run, to get as far away from him as possible, and try to be safe.
“I can let you go now.”
She smiled at him, but as she left the house, she struggled to bat the tears away. If he knew where she was going, she didn’t think he’d be so willing to take care of their daughter. She took several deep breaths as she joined Anne at her car.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Come on, I hear there’s going to be a party and you need to be away from your house.” She wouldn’t allow herself to think about Reaper. Leaving Bethany with him was hard enough. He’d proven he wouldn’t hurt his own kid.