chapter nine
1061 Words
Mia felt more like herself the next morning. The cramps had eased to a dull ache, and the supplies Reaper had provided made everything manageable.
She still flinched when the door opened, but the terror wasn’t quite as obvious
Raven brought breakfast and a fresh set of clothes. “Reaper said you can move around the main building today if you feel up to it. No going outside alone though.”
Mia nodded, feeling very grateful for even that small freedom. She dressed and followed Raven to the kitchen, where the familiar routine of baking helped settle her nerves
. Today she kept it simple by baking oatmeal raisin cookies and a couple of loaves of bread. The warm smells filled the space and drew the usual curious glances from passing club members. They were respectful, but she could feel their eyes on her. Everyone knew she belonged to Reaper now.
By mid-morning, Reaper appeared in the doorway. He looked tired but alert, his dark eyes finding her immediately. There was a fresh cut on his cheek, barely scabbed over. Whatever business he’d handled last night had left its mark.
Mia’s hands hovered above the mixing bowl. She still tensed whenever he entered a room, her body remembering the danger he represented.
“You look better,” he said, staying in the doorway. His voice carried that low, teasing edge she was starting to recognize.
Mia looked down at the bowl. “The heating pad helped. And the medicine. Thank you… again.”
Reaper watched her for a long moment. “You don’t have to keep thanking me for taking care of you. It’s what I do.” A faint smile touched his lips. “Though I do like hearing it from that pretty mouth.”
Mia’s cheeks warmed. She focused on scooping cookie dough, trying to ignore the flutter his words caused. He was still terrifying but the way he looked at her made something dangerous stir inside her.
“Vipers are getting louder,” he continued. “They’re testing boundaries. I need you to stay close to the main building. No wandering near the gates.”
Mia nodded quickly. The reminder of the outside danger made her stomach twist. “I won’t.”
Reaper’s gaze softened just slightly. “Good girl.”
The simple praise sent an unexpected warmth through her. She flinched at her own reaction, gripping the spoon tighter. How could his approval affect her like this? This man had kidnapped her. She should be planning escape, not feeling butterflies at his words.
He stayed in the doorway a while longer, just watching her work. The silence felt charged, heavy with things unsaid. Finally he pushed off the frame. “I’ll check on you later. Save a couple of those cookies for me.”
With that, he left.
Raven raised an eyebrow once he was gone. “He’s never this patient with anyone. You’ve got him wrapped around your finger and you don’t even realize it.”
Mia shook her head. “I’m just trying to survive.”
The rest of the day passed quietly. She baked, helped organize some supplies with Raven, and tried not to think too hard about the man who now controlled her entire world. Tank stopped by once, cracking a few light jokes to make her smile, but even he kept a respectful distance.
Late in the afternoon, Reaper returned. Mia was pulling the last tray of cookies from the oven when he walked in. She startled at his sudden presence, nearly dropping the hot tray. He moved quickly, steadying it with one big hand before she could burn herself.
“Easy,” he murmured, close but not touching her. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Mia stepped back quickly. “I’m still… jumpy. Around you.”
“I know.” Reaper set the tray down safely. His dark eyes held hers. “But you didn’t flinch as hard this time.”
The observation made her cheeks burn. She hated that he noticed every little change in her reactions. He was studying her like she was something precious he intended to keep forever.
Reaper reached out slowly and brushed a streak of flour from her cheek with his thumb. The touch was light, gone in a second, but it left her skin tingling. She didn’t pull away but she trembled.
“You’re getting used to me,” he said softly, that dark teasing tone returning. “Little by little. I can see it. One day soon you won’t flinch at all when I touch you. You’ll lean in instead.”
Mia’s breath caught. The dark promise in his words wrapped around her. She was still scared but the fear was slowly mixing with something warmer. Something that made her wonder what it would feel like to stop fighting him.
“I don’t know if I can ever stop being scared,” she whispered.
Reaper’s eyes darkened with satisfaction. “That’s okay. Fear looks good on you. Makes me want to protect you even more.” He stepped back, giving her space again. “Eat something. Rest if you need to. I’ve got more meetings tonight, but I’ll be back.”
He left her with the cookies and that lingering tension in the air.
Mia spent the rest of the evening in the room, curled up with a book Raven had found for her. When Reaper returned late, she was already in bed. He moved quietly, showering and settling on the couch. The now-familiar routine felt strangely intimate.
After several minutes of silence, his rough voice drifted across the dark room. “You still awake?”
“Yes,” she admitted softly.
“Good.” There was a smile in his voice. “I like knowing you’re thinking about me before you sleep.”
Mia turned toward the wall, embarrassed and flustered. “I’m thinking about how to get my life back.”
Reaper chuckled lowly. “Keep telling yourself that, sugar. We both know the truth is getting harder to fight.”
Mia closed her eyes, heart racing. She was still terrified of the ruthless biker who had claimed her. But every day, the terror was becoming tangled with reluctant fascination.
And Reaper seemed more than happy to wait in the shadows until she was ready to step closer.
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- Writer
