Reapers Sweet Obsession

Chapter four

Mia woke with a pool of sweat and her heart pounding against her ribs. For a brief moment she forgot where she was. Then the reality settled over her like a heavy weight, the barred windows, the unfamiliar bed, the faint scent of leather and motor oil in the air. She sat up slowly, pulling the blanket tight around her shoulders. Reaper was already gone. The couch where he had slept was empty, the blanket folded neatly at one end.

She let out a shaky breath. Being alone in the room felt safer, but it also made her feel more trapped. She walked to the small bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection. Her eyes looked tired and afraid.

A knock sounded on the door. Mia tensed.

“It’s Raven,” a voice called. “I’m coming in.”

Raven entered carrying a fresh stack of clothes and a small bag. “Morning. Reaper said you might want these. They should fit. Nothing fancy,just leggings, t-shirts, and some toiletries.”

Mia took the pile carefully, keeping distance between them. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Is he… coming back soon?”

Raven shrugged. “Club business. He’s been in a meeting since. Things are tense with the Vipers.” She paused, studying Mia’s face. “You okay? You look like you didn’t sleep much.”

“I didn’t.” Mia set the clothes on the bed. “Every time I close my eyes I see that warehouse. The blood. Him standing there with the gun.”

Raven nodded but didn’t offer comfort. “This life isn’t gentle. Reaper’s not gentle. But he’s different with you"

Mia didn’t want to hear that. She changed the subject. “Can I go to the kitchen again? Baking helps keep me from losing my mind.”

“Sure. I’ll walk you over.”

The compound felt more alive during the day. Men worked on motorcycles in the large garages. Others carried boxes and spoke in low voices. A few glanced at Mia with open curiosity, but no one approached. Reaper’s claim seemed to hang over her like an invisible warning sign.

In the kitchen, Mia threw herself into work. She mixed dough for sourdough loaves and started on a batch of blueberry scones. The familiar rhythm helped steady her nerves. Raven stayed nearby, sometimes chatting about small things, sometimes just keeping quiet company.

Hours passed. The sweet and yeasty smells drew more club members than yesterday. They lingered in the hallway, complimenting the aroma but respecting the invisible boundary Raven helped enforce. Tank appeared at one point, his massive frame filling the doorway.

“Prez is gonna owe us all big time if this keeps up,” he said with a friendly grin. “Those cookies yesterday disappeared fast.”

Mia offered a small, nervous nod but kept working. She didn’t want to encourage conversation. Every man here reminded her of the danger she was in.

Tank seemed to sense her discomfort. He grabbed a couple of scones when they came out of the oven and left with a respectful nod. “Thanks, Mia.”

By early afternoon, Reaper finally appeared. He stood in the doorway like he had the day before, broad shoulders blocking the light. His dark eyes found her immediately. There was grease on his hands and a shadow of exhaustion on his face.

“You’ve been productive,” Reaper said. His voice was low and rough, carrying that teasing edge again. “The whole compound smells like a bakery. Dangerous thing to do around hungry bikers.”

Mia kept her eyes on the counter. “It keeps me busy.”

Reaper didn’t move closer. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her work. “You’re still looking at me like I’m the devil himself.”

“Aren’t you?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Fear made her bold for a second.

A slow, dark smile curved his lips. “Close enough. But even the devil takes care of what belongs to him.” His gaze drifted over her flour-dusted apron and the way she tried to make herself smaller. “You sleep at all last night?”

“Not much.”

“Good. Means you’re thinking about your situation.” He pushed off the doorframe but stopped a few feet away. “The Vipers are pushing harder. They tagged one of our spots last night. I need you to stay inside the main building today. No wandering.”

Mia’s fear spiked. “Am I in danger here too?”

Reaper’s expression hardened. “Not from my men. But I don’t take chances with you.” His voice dropped, teasing but serious. “Besides, if you tried to slip away, I’d have to come find you. And I think we both know how that would end.”

Mia’s cheeks heated despite the chill of fear. She hated the way his words affected her — part terror, part something she refused to name. She turned back to her dough, kneading it aggressively.

Reaper stayed silent for a long moment, just watching. The tension in the air felt thick enough to cut. Finally he spoke again. “Your bakery is still open. Sarah’s doing fine. I checked.”

Mia looked up sharply. “You checked? Or your people did?”

“Does it matter?” He tilted his head. “Point is, your old life is still there. But right now, this is where you need to be. With me.”

The possessiveness in his tone made her stomach twist. She wanted to argue, to scream, to demand he let her go. Instead she stayed quiet, too scared of what pushing too hard might bring.

Reaper seemed satisfied with her silence. “I’ll be in meetings most of the night. Raven will bring you dinner. Try to eat.” He paused at the door. “And Mia?”

She met his eyes reluctantly.

“Those scones smell incredible. Save one for me.”

With that teasing request lingering, he left. Mia released a long, shaky breath. Her hands were trembling again.

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly. She baked more than she needed to. The activity kept the worst of the panic away. When evening came, Raven brought dinner and ate with her in the kitchen.

Night fell over the compound. The distant sound of motorcycles and men moving around made Mia feel small and exposed. When Raven finally walked her back to Reaper’s room, the door locked behind her with that familiar heavy click.

Mia changed into the new clothes Raven had brought, a soft black leggings and an oversized t-shirt. She climbed into the big bed fully alert, sitting against the headboard instead of lying down. Hours ticked by. She tried to plan an escape, but every idea crumbled.

The door finally opened near midnight. Reaper stepped in quietly. He looked worn out, shoulders tight with tension. His eyes found her sitting up in bed immediately.

“You’re still awake,” he observed.

Mia pulled the blanket higher. “Hard to sleep when you don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

Reaper removed his leather cut and hung it carefully. He didn’t approach the bed. Instead he sat on the couch and pulled off his boots. “Nothing’s happening tonight except sleep. You’re safe.”

“Safe,” Mia repeated bitterly. “That word doesn’t mean much coming from you.”

Reaper’s dark chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. “Smart girl. You’re learning.” He stretched out on the couch, one arm behind his head. Even relaxed, he looked powerful and dangerous. “But I keep my word, Mia. No one touches you. Not even me. Not until you stop looking at me like prey.”

Mia turned toward the wall, with her heart racing. She could feel his eyes on her back. The teasing promise in his voice left her unsettled long into the night.

She was still terrified of him.

But in the quiet darkness, she wondered how long that fear could hold before something else took its place.