Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy

by Jamie Begley

  The fucker was stupid enough to turn his back on him after dissing him like he was one of his trainees.

  Ginny hastily stepped in front of him, pressing her hands against his chest to hold him back. “Please don’t,” she begged.

  He burned his eyes into her pleading ones. “I wasn’t going to fuck him up too badly.”

  “I don’t want him hurt at all.”

  “I’ve had about enough with these condescending assholes.”

  “You get used to it.” She blithely placed her arm through his, urging him toward the awaiting vehicle.

  “Never in a million years.”

  “That’s because you’re one of the condescending assholes.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I wonder when they’ll bring the clothes. I’m bored.”

  Reaper glowered at Ginny as she wandered around the small living room. “You want to fuck?”

  Ginny stopped in her tracks. “No. Besides, it doesn’t look like you want to, anyway. Why are you so angry with me?”

  “I don’t know,” he said crossly. “Could be I don’t appreciate being referred to as a condescending asshole, or it could be a number of things I can’t talk about without being worried another condescending asshole is listening in.”

  Ginny pointedly stared at the glass jar of broken electronic parts sitting on the low coffee table. “How? You’ve smashed them all.”

  He rolled his eyes at her. “Like they didn’t use the opportunity with us gone to replace them in new hidey spots.”

  “We can look if you want to. It would give us something to do. And it could be fun. We can see which one of us can find more.”

  “Is this a game to you?”

  Sitting down next to him, she patted him on his thigh. “Of course not.”

  Aggrieved, he moved her hand away, nixing her attempt to placate him.

  “I don’t understand why you’re angry with me.”

  Reaper reached for the small notepad and pen sitting beside the phone. Clicking the end of the pen, he wrote out what he wanted to say.

  You deliberately bought the DNA test?

  Ginny nodded her answer.

  You knew it would flag you?

  Again, she nodded.

  He wasn’t getting the simple answer. Tapping the pad with the pen, he then handed them to her.

  I knew Allerton would cover all the bases. I bought the DNA kit that says “other agencies,” including law enforcement, are able to use the information.

  Reaper took the pen and paper back to scrawl down his next question.

  When did you tell Hammer?

  Ginny took them back. After I took the sample and sent it back.

  “You just saved him an ass beating,” he said out loud.

  “Don’t be mad.”

  Reaper scooted away when she tried to touch him again. Flicking through the television channels, he heard her scribbling on the notepad. When she tried to hand it to him, he ignored her. Ginny was not going to be denied, so she raised the pad so it blocked his sight of the television. Angrily, he snatched it from her hand and threw it across the room.

  Giving him a hurt look, she stood up and went to the bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind her.

  Tossing the remote down onto the couch, Reaper got up to pick up the notepad.

  If you had been warned about being kidnapped, what would you have done? Would have you just let it happen or would you have done something different to prevent it from happening? I would go for the one where it never happened.

  It took him a second to understand what she was trying to tell him.

  Opening the bedroom door, he saw Ginny lying on her side on the bed. Placing the notepad on the nightstand, Reaper went through the bedroom with the detector. Finding six new devices he carried them into the other room and placed them in the glass jar before coming back to the bedroom to shut the door. Later when he was bored, he’d find the rest of the devices he was sure Allerton had stashed in the living room.

  Taking of his shoes to lay down, then curling up against her back, he placed an arm around her waist. “You were warned about something?” Reaper had placed his mouth next to her ear.

  “Yes,” she whispered back.

  “What were you warned about?” Reaper kept his voice whisper-soft.

  Ginny buried her face in the pillow instead of answering.

  “About you?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “About me?”

  Ginny linked her hand with his tightly.

  “Anyone else?”

  She nodded her head into the pillow.

  “The Last Riders,” he stated.

  “None of you would have survived in prison. The Last Riders have made too many enemies.” Ginny rolled over to face him, lifting her hand to his face. “Life wouldn’t be worth living without you in the world, whether you’re with me or you decided to be with a thousand other women.”

  “You’re the only woman in my life.”

  “For now. I’ve been keeping you busy.”

  His lips curled up into a smile. “Yes, you have. Who gave you the warning?”

  “Fynn.”

  “Is he usually right?”

  “Always.”

  “Does he know, if events are changed, if it’s for better or worse?”

  Her answer was slower in coming. “Occasionally.”

  “Did he this time?”

  “He wouldn’t tell me. Fynn never does. He shares his gift, but to give you the outcome of your chosen path is to interfere with free will. In life, we alone are responsible for our triumphs and our failures.”

  “What happens if Fynn does?”

  “The same thing that happened to one of their ancestors when she healed one of her relatives—the gift was taken away when she needed it most. Their gifts all come with a price; it isn’t up to them how much they have to pay back.” Ginny continued stroking his cheek as she stared lovingly into his eyes, completely baring her soul for him to see.

  “You might not share their gifts, but by you taking the DNA test it came as a cost that should have been mine to pay.”

  “There is no price I wouldn’t pay for loving you. And I do love you.”

  “Ginny, I don’t even know if I’m capable of loving someone like I did before.”

  “That’s okay. I have enough to share.” Teasingly, she removed her hand from his cheek to place it on her chest above her heart. Pretending to pick something up with her thumb and forefinger, she mimicked twining something around her finger and making a squiggly line as if there was imaginary thread, floating toward his chest. Pressing the tip of her finger to his chest, she tapped his chest twice. “There. A couple more treatments and you’ll be as good as new.”

  “I wish it were that easy.”

  “I don’t believe in wishes; they never come true. Put your faith in someone else.”

  “I can’t. Unlike you, I don’t have issues with God. I lost my faith in Him the first year I was held captive.”

  “I wasn’t talking about God. I was talking about me. Trust that my love will stay strong and true. I swear, Gavin, I will be there for you, even when you no longer want me there. Have faith in me. I will be there for you.”

  Folding her hands on top of each other, she placed her chin on his chest to stare down on him. “Not only are you my soul mate, you’re my heart mate now. You’ll never be able to escape me,” she vowed solemnly. Then, removing her hands, she placed her cheek directly over his heart.

  Reaper wanted to move her away, to put space between them. However, lifting his arms with that intention, he found himself hugging her closer. “I’m never going to be the man I used to be.” Swirling emotions had him wanting to break free from the upheaval she was creating within him. It was like trying to sludge through quicksand—the more he fought against letting Ginny in, the deeper he sunk.

  “That’s okay. I love you just as you are.” Scooting up his chest, she pressed a delicate kiss on his lips,
whispering unintelligible love words to him that, at one time, would have had him running. He had never wanted or needed the lovey-dovey, flowery words that women used to express their emotions, but laying side-by-side with Ginny, he soaked her words up like a dry sponge. Smoothing her hands over his chest and arms, he basked in her attention, wanting more and more … never wanting the moment to end.

  The doorbell ringing from the other room, followed by several knocks couldn’t break the spell Ginny had weaved around them. It was only when dusk began to filter through the shaded window that they made a move to leave the sanctuary of their bedroom.

  “I’ll get the clothes.” Languorously stretching, Reaper then snagged Ginny around her waist to give her a quick kiss before releasing her to go into the other room.

  Rolling a dress cart back into the room that had been left unattended outside, he found Ginny standing in the same spot he left her. “I thought you would be in the shower.”

  “I’ve had three showers today; I’m good.” She moved to the dress cart, examining the pieces. “All these gowns are my size. How did he know my exact size?”

  Reaper picked the first suit on the cart without interest. “They had our luggage when we arrived.” Reaper dressed as Ginny carried one of the gowns into the bathroom.

  Taking a few minutes to dress, Reaper then went into the living room to wait for Ginny. Looking in the refrigerator, he saw their meals had been replenished. Figuring now was a good time, he took the tiny bug detector from his pocket. He’d made sure he kept it in his pocket when he left the bungalow earlier for the meeting with Allerton. He had long ago stopped trying to conceal it. If the fucker didn’t care that the bugs could be so easily found, Reaper didn’t care he could be caught, but that didn’t mean he’d leave it out in the open for them to take from him.

  He was smashing the three he had found with the bottom of his shoe when Ginny came into the room. The black gown fit her like a glove. The bodice was black silk, heart-shaped, showing the top mounds of her breasts that were covered with sheer lace, forming into a collar around her neck. The silk part of the dress skimmed the tops of her thighs and from there intricate lace fell to her ankles. The black, strappy sandals added at least two inches to her normal height.

  “Uh … fuck no. Go change,” he ordered, and resumed breaking another electronic bug.

  She gaped at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re already late! There’s nothing wrong with this dress.”

  “It’s too short.”

  “It’s comes down to my ankles!”

  “You could read a book through that lace.”

  Ignoring him, she placed a tube of lipstick in the small purse she brought out with her.

  “I can see your pussy from over here.”

  “You cannot!” she yelled, throwing the purse at him.

  Dodging, he started to rise from the couch with a growl. With a squeal, she ran back into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

  Ten minutes later, he was about to heat a meal from the fridge, assuming she had changed her mind about going, when she came back out, dressed in a pink, off-the-shoulder, floral silk dress that draped over her body. The bodice completely covered her chest and breasts, the only skin showing was the one shoulder, and it had a big bow, covering most of the curve of her shoulder.

  “Better?” she asked snidely.

  “Much.” Satisfied, he put the unheated meal back into the refrigerator.

  “You’re such a jerk.” Heatedly glowering at him, she went to pick up the purse that he left on the coffee table.

  “I did you a favor.” Bravely coming out from behind the kitchen counter, he told her, “No mother wants to see her daughter’s coochie.”

  Ginny trembled as if she was restraining herself. “I was not showing my coochie.”

  “You weren’t seeing it from my viewpoint.”

  “You were sitting down, and you didn’t see anything. You just imagined it. The dress came down to my thighs.”

  “I didn’t imagine shit,” he smarted off, enjoying the fire he saw in her eyes. “When we come back, you can try it again, and I’ll take a picture on my phone to show you.”

  “You’re not taking a picture of my … my …”

  “Pussy,” he eagerly helped her. “Cunt … twat.”

  “Quit being so uncouth!”

  Reaper was smart enough to steer clear of her as he made his way to the door and she lifted her purse threateningly.

  “Uncouth? What century were you born?” He laughed.

  “The one when men knew how to be gentlemen.” Giving him a haughty lift of her chin, she smoothed her dress down as if brushing him off. “Obviously, you’re much older than me. Much older ….” Giving him a pitiful look, she rushed toward the door. “Here, let me open the door for you. You should conserve your strength … old man.”

  The woman had no compunction about swinging below the belt when she wanted to.

  “I’m not old!”

  “Are, too.” Complacent at reaching her goal of rattling him, she opened the door, mockingly waving him forward. “Here you go … sir.”

  “I might be older than you chronologically, but I have the cock of a sixteen-year-old. When we come back tonight, I’m going to make you sorry for calling me old man.”

  Ginny blew out a hiss of hot air, dissing him. “Old man, I’ve been taking it easy on you. I’m younger; I have more stamina than you,” she boasted.

  “It’s on when we come back.”

  “Bring it on, ol—”

  With a squeal, Ginny side-stepped the palm of his hand, hurrying toward the waiting Moke.

  “You can run, but you can’t hide,” Reaper warned, leisurely following after her.

  Giggling lightheartedly, Ginny ran back toward him to button his jacket for him. “You look very handsome tonight, Mr. James.” Grinning, she unabashedly ran her hand over the expensive material.

  “We’re late, Ginny.” He tried to turn her around to get her walking again, but she refused to budge.

  “How come you never compliment me? Am I that unattractive?”

  An irritated Agent Collins stepped out of the Moke, walking toward them. “Mr. Allerton has called several times. You two can finish this conversation in the vehicle.”

  Ginny sighed in frustration at the agent hurrying them. “We’re coming.” Then she gave Reaper a harassed frown.

  “Don’t blame me; you’re the one who kept me in bed all evening.”

  “Don’t blame me when your uncouth ass sleeps on the couch tonight.”

  Climbing into the Moke, she slapped his hand away when he would have assisted her.

  “I see how you are. Is that the thanks I get for taking your mind off seeing your mother and not being able to see your father?”

  Ginny nearly tripped over her feet getting inside. “You made us late because you were trying to relax me?” she hissed.

  “I thought it would be easier than fucking you, but I didn’t want to shower again. I’m becoming a prune.”

  Both men in the front seat turned around to look at them with their mouths gaping open.

  Ginny waited until he was seated in the back seat before turning both barrels on him. “Gavin, remember the good old times when you wouldn’t talk to me? Channel him back. I miss him.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ginny’s anger and hurt at Gavin evaporated the moment they entered the lobby of the private resort. The grandeur of the entryway was designed to inspire awe and envy with its masterful strokes of creams, sea foam green, and a touch of gold, making you feel as if you were traveling through a portal that only a few were allowed admission.

  As they were led through the lobby, Ginny didn’t feel awe-inspired; she felt deeply rooted in sadness. Remembering how she had begged Manny to come inside, too young and innocent to know the beautiful resort was just an illusion meant to hide the ugliness and duplicity ingrained within each building block.

  She had no desire to live in this worl
d of luxury. This was the world that Kaden Cross and Dalton Andrews could easily walk among without missing a beat. Ginny had to give them credit for resisting the lure; stronger men and women hadn’t.

  Going up the curved staircase, Ginny could feel the speculative gazes as their small group was escorted to the right hallway. Unconsciously, her hand went to her side, searching for Gavin’s, her exasperation with him put on the back burner as the stressful encounter with her mother loomed closer.

  “You’ve got this.” It took a second for Ginny to realize the thought that had popped in her head had actually been Gavin speaking out loud.

  Her nerves stretched so tightly as she skimmed over the occupants of the room, not recognizing any of the four female guests as her mother.

  Allerton broke away from a tall, charismatic man to greet them.

  “Mr. and Mrs. James, Agent Collins, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. We’ve been waiting.”

  Agent Collins gave them an aggrieved look, and then the experienced veteran placed guilt where it belonged. “I’m going to excuse myself to make apologies on their behalf and chase down one of those waiters. Excuse me.” Agent Collins left Gavin and Ginny on their own.

  Ginny couldn’t blame him for cutting and running. She wished she could, too.

  Seeking a quick response for their tardy arrival, Gavin cut in with, “Mr. Allerton, please forgive us. Ginny and I are in the honeymoon stage of our marriage. I’m sure you can understand that, when romance beckons, a man wants to keep his wife happy.”

  Forgetting her issue with God, she prayed the floor would open and swallow her whole.

  Allerton looked like he was praying for the same thing for her, except visualizing Gavin being swallowed first. “I’m not married.”

  “No? That’s a shame. You don’t know what you’re missing,” Gavin said blithely, unconcerned that Allerton was staring at them with distaste.