Reaper's Wrath (Road to Salvation A Last Rider's Trilogy 2)
“Neither Rider nor Shade have been able to catch him. The only one better than them is you, and you’re refusing to go.”
“I’m no use to her!” His fury broke free, seeing his options were running out. “I didn’t see my own kidnapping coming! I wasn’t able to protect my own damn self. How am I supposed to protect her?”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Winter grip the arm of the couch.
Lowering his voice, he raked a shaky hand through his hair. “I’ll talk to Shade and Rider. One of them will go.”
Viper sat stoically during his rant. “Fine, let me know so I can inform Ginny. If not, I’ll be on the plane in the morning.”
“If they won’t, I’ll go.” He had to get out of the room before the rage boiling inside him exploded in front of Winter. He needed to put distance between him and Ginny, but everything was fucking working against him.
“It would be a big help if you would, but if you want to try to convince Rider or Shade to change their minds, go ahead—it’s your time to waste.”
“If you all care so much about Ginny, the last thing you should want is me watching over her.”
“I care enough about her to give her the very best protection I can, and that’s you.”
“Then God help her if I’m the best you can come up with.”
“You’ve never failed me yet, Reaper, and despite what you think, you never failed yourself.”
Reaper had to look away at Viper’s anguished expression.
“Every brother and I have tried to convince you of that, but it goes in one ear and out the other. I see now that we’ve been wasting our time. We’ve been trying to convince the wrong person.”
Reaper turned his gaze back to Viper. “Who in the fucking hell is that?”
“Gavin. And until we convince him, then you’re never going to be at peace, brother.”
“He’s dead and gone.”
“Let’s hope not.” Viper’s anguished expression became confident. “Because he’s the only one who’s going to be able to save Ginny.”
Chapter Three
Unwilling to stand there and continue arguing with Viper, he turned to go into the kitchen. Shade and Rider were still there, and he had to change one of their minds. However, he didn’t make it a step before the front door opened and Diamond and Knox came in.
At first he thought they were there to visit, until he saw Calder walk in behind them.
From Diamond’s troubled face, whatever she had to discuss with him wasn’t going to be good news. The fact she hadn’t texted him and she brought Knox and Calder made it clear she felt he was going to react badly to whatever she was going to say.
Reaper changed his direction without pausing to greet them. “Let’s go to my room.”
Going up the stairs, he was conscious of Viper’s and Winter’s eyes on them. When Viper was about to stand, Reaper shook his head. He didn’t need another audience to witness what Diamond had plainly felt like she need reinforcements to discuss.
Opening his bedroom door to let Diamond enter, he saw Knox hang back, letting Calder go first while he remained in the hall. That had Reaper’s gut clenching.
“Does Diamond think I’m going to flip out on her?”
Just minutes before he worried he would lose it in the kitchen. He might walk a tightrope between sanity and insanity, but he would take his own ass out before he’d hurt a woman again.
Knox looked through the doorway to his wife’s purpose-filled features. “Diamond’s not afraid you’re going to hurt her. She just wanted me here in case you have any questions she can’t answer. I’ll wait here.”
Reaper gave him a curt nod before heading inside his bedroom and shutting the door. He motioned toward the sitting area that had a small couch and chair. Diamond and Calder both sat on the couch and Reaper took the chair.
“You usually call.” Reaper gave Diamond a piercing stare.
“Moon texted Knox that you packed your saddlebags. I didn’t know how long you were planning on being away, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to give you the information I discovered.”
His jaw clenched at the revelation. “It’s nice to know the brothers are watching every move I make.”
“You know that’s not true.” Traces of anger filtered through the business-like tone she usually used with him. “I did try to call this morning, but you didn’t answer. When you didn’t, I asked Knox to find out where you were so I wouldn’t waste a trip out here. I do have other clients.”
Taking out his cell phone, Reaper saw the missed call. His lips tightened at the realization he missed the call when he was talking to Ginny.
“Calder just so happened to be there when you decided to come here?”
“No, I called him last night,” she admitted. “I know he is the only one who you’re willing to discuss your dependency problem with and, frankly, I wanted him here for you in case you need him.”