Reapers Sweet Obsession

chapter ten

Mia stood at the window of Reaper’s room, staring out at the compound through the bars. Two days had passed since her period started, and the worst of the cramps were gone. The routine of baking and hiding in the kitchen was starting to feel suffocating. She needed air. Real air.

Raven noticed her restlessness when she brought breakfast. “Reaper said you could walk the inner yard today if you want. With supervision. Fresh air might do you good.”

Mia hesitated. The idea of stepping outside the main building both excited and terrified her. “Will he be there?”

“Not the whole time. He’s dealing with a shipment issue near the docks.” Raven smiled faintly. “But he’ll know where you are. He always does.”

That reminder sent a familiar shiver down Mia’s spine. Still, she agreed.

The inner yard was a fenced area behind the main building, surprisingly well-kept with a few picnic tables, some old weight benches, and a patch of grass that looked recently mowed. The East River glittered in the distance beyond the high walls. For the first time in days, Mia felt the sun on her face. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, letting the salty river air fill her lungs.

Raven stayed a few steps behind, giving her space while remaining close. A couple of club members worked on bikes nearby, their tools clinking steadily. They glanced at Mia but quickly looked away when Raven cleared her throat.

For a few precious minutes, Mia felt almost normal. She walked the perimeter of the yard slowly, stretching her legs. The movement helped clear some of the fog in her head. But every time a motorcycle revved or a voice rose too loud, she flinched, her body still wired for danger.

Tank appeared near one of the tables, wiping grease from his hands. “Nice to see you outside, Mia. Fresh air looks good on you.”

She offered a small smile but kept her distance. “It’s… different out here.”

Tank nodded understandingly. “This place can feel like a cage at first. But it grows on you. We protect our own.”

Before Mia could respond, the yard gate opened. Reaper walked in, his presence immediately changing the atmosphere. The men working on bikes straightened up. Even the air felt heavier. He was dressed in his full cut, sunglasses hiding his eyes, but Mia could feel his gaze lock onto her from across the yard.

Her stomach flipped. She still flinched slightly when he approached, stepping back instinctively. Reaper slowed his pace, reading her reaction.

“Easy,” he said quietly. “Just checking on you.”

Raven gave them space, wandering over to talk with Tank.

Reaper stopped a few feet away, sliding his sunglasses up onto his head. His dark eyes traced over her face, taking in the color the sun had brought to her cheeks. “You look better in daylight.”

Mia hugged her arms around herself. “It feels good to be outside. Even if it’s still… inside walls.”

Reaper’s lips curved slightly. “Small steps. I’m not trying to break you, Mia. I’m trying to keep you alive.” He glanced toward the river. “Vipers lost another shipment last night. They’re getting desperate. That makes them dangerous.”

The news sent a chill through her. “Does that mean I’m stuck here longer?”

Reaper’s expression darkened with possessive intensity. “For now. But I’m handling it.” He took one slow step closer, not crowding her, but close enough that she caught the scent of leather and faint cologne. “While you’re here, I want you to start feeling like this place is yours too. Not just mine.”

Mia’s heart raced. The words carried a quiet promise that felt heavier than any threat. She was still scared of him but moments like this made it harder to remember why she should run.

“I don’t know how to feel like this is home,” she admitted softly.

Reaper’s gaze softened. “Then we take it one day at a time. You bake. You breathe fresh air. You talk to Raven.” A teasing glint returned to his eyes. “And maybe one day soon you’ll stop looking at me like I’m seconds away from throwing you over my shoulder again.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed. The image his words painted was both frightening and strangely vivid. She looked away toward the river, trying to hide her reaction.

Reaper didn’t push. He simply stood with her in comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the water. It was the closest thing to peace they had shared since he took her.

Later that afternoon, back inside, Mia helped Raven sort through some old club paperwork in a side office. It was boring work, but it kept her mind occupied. She learned small things, the Reapers owned several legitimate businesses in Brooklyn, including a custom bike shop and a bar. Knowing they weren’t just criminals made the club feel slightly more human.

When evening came, Reaper found her in the kitchen again. She was finishing a small batch of lemon cookies. He leaned in the doorway, watching her with that intense, patient stare.

“Smells like summer in here,” he said. “You planning to spoil me specifically with those?”

Mia’s hands paused. “Maybe. You did… help me yesterday.”

Reaper’s expression shifted into something darker and warmer. “I’ll always take care of you when you need it. Even the messy parts.” He paused, then added in a lower voice, “One day I’ll take care of every part of you. When you’re ready to let me.”

The words hung between them, laced with dark promise. Mia’s breath caught. She was still terrified of the man who had kidnapped her, but the slow, careful way he was weaving himself into her life was starting to work. The fear was no longer pure. It was mixed with reluctant warmth. Fascination. A dangerous curiosity about what it would feel like to stop fighting the pull.

Reaper seemed to sense the shift. He didn’t push. Instead he took two warm cookies when she offered them silently and left with a quiet “Thank you, sugar.”

That night, as Mia lay in bed listening to the distant sounds of the compound, she realized something unsettling. She was no longer counting the days until she could escape.

She was starting to wonder what staying might feel like.

Reaper’s low breathing from the couch told her he was still awake too.

The slow burn between them was growing hotter, and Mia wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend she wanted to put out the flame.