When I get to my apartment complex the breezeway light is flickering as I walk up the stairwell and a chill washes over me. A heavy feeling settles in my gut as I reach my floor.
As soon as I round the corner I know something is terribly wrong. My door is slightly ajar, and I step in something sticky. When I look up from the puddle I stepped in is when I see it. A message written in red on my white door that reads: “You’re next!”
I cover my mouth when I see the body of a black cat laying in the doorway.
I want to scream but no sound will come out. Tears burn in the corners of my eyes as I continue to hold my hand to my mouth. Who would do something so sick and cruel?
My hands shake as I pull my phone out to text my dad.
I know what I said about not needing a man, but right now I am terrified and want my old man. I need him to tell me this is all a dream and there are no monsters lurking in the shadows ready to jump out and get me.
That doesn’t happen though. Cole, who is married to my adopted sister, Morgan, is the first to arrive. He immediately goes into action and disposes of the cat, so I don’t have to keep seeing the poor creature.
My father arrives with my Uncle, Striker, and they hurl curse words and point fingers going through a list of possible suspects. My dad wants to call the police, but Striker talks him out of it. Cole suggests a different plan. One that involves using one of the clubwhores to dye her hair and take over my identity while I am sent to Tennessee to stay with my cousin, Sara, in Webb Hollow.
I don’t like the plan. I’m no coward even though that message has me shaken. I don’t run. If someone wants to come at me I would rather meet them head on. However, after fighting with everyone, including my mother, on the matter I am shoved on a bus the next evening with nothing to my name, but a prepaid Visa and a change of clothes tucked in my purse.
I wasn’t even given a cell phone. After the shit that happened to Sara when she was taken my family isn’t taking any chances. So why in the hell are they sending me to stay with the men who took her?
My mother said it is better to trust the devil you know than the one you don’t.
So here I am, sitting by myself, sweating to damn death in the summer heat on a smelly bus headed to Tennessee, leaving my fate in the hands of men I want nothing to do with. At least that is what my family believes. The moment I get the chance I will return straight to Drag Creek. Back to my life or set out to make a new one, because fuck being treated like a problem that needs solving.
Chapter Two
—Reaper—
Webb Hollow, Tennessee
“Let’s talk in my office,” Hades calls out as he walks past the bar where I am perched enjoying a cold one after a long ass motherfucking day. Busted my back for eight hours in the blazing Tennessee heat overseeing a new build. That damn prospect, Eugene, was supposed to be doing that shit, but motherfucker has been missing.
Boogeyman probably killed the dumbass. Wouldn’t be the first time.
I grab my longneck bottle and follow him. Shit’s been fuckin’ tense these past weeks. Between Boogeyman’s stunt, MaryAnn and Cupid at each other’s throats, and Uno ready to toss his bitch on her ass, we don’t need any more damn drama. But as I walk behind my Prez and see the stressed grip he has on the back of his neck, I get the feeling he is about to lay some shit on my shoulders to lessen his burden.
That’s what brothers do though. We carry our share of the load.
“Close that door,” he orders.
I shut the door as he slumps down in his chair behind his desk.
I grab a chair and wait for the other shoe to drop. “What’s up?”
“Got a job for you. Sara’s got a cousin coming down from Kentucky. Need you to watch over her.”
I squint at him and sigh. “Can’t one of the prospects do it. I’m swamped with new jobs at the company. I don’t have time to babysit pussy.”
His jaw ticks and he leans forward. “You having trouble reading? Knowing where you fall in line? What’s this patch say on my vest?” he fingers the word president like I need a damn reminder.
Rolling my eyes. I shake my head. “I don’t need this bullshit, Hades. I respect you, but I got a lot on the line right now.”
“So. Do. We. I’m giving this responsibility to you because I trust you. She’s not simply pussy. Harley is the daughter of Rebel Black. I know you won’t let me down on this. I’m counting on you. Her life may depend on you.”
“Fuck,” I grumble.
“Exactly. She should arrive in an hour. Need you to pick her up. Take her by my place so she can see Sara, but she needs to go with you. She has a stalker. Someone broke into her car and left a used condom in the driver’s seat. Twice. Left a dead cat on the doorstep of her apartment and wrote, “you’re next,” in the animal’s blood on the door. Her father is livid. Until we know the threat is over I want her by your side but not in your bed. She’s off limits.”
I make a sour face. I’m a mean bastard but don’t like anyone hurting animals and threatening little girls like a fucking coward.