Reapers Sweet Obsession

chapter two

Mia woke up to the smell of coffee and the low rumble of motorcycles outside. Sunlight came through the barred windows of the large room. For a second she thought she was home in her tiny apartment. Then reality crashed down.

She was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, now dry and wrinkled. The bed was huge and surprisingly comfortable, but she had spent most of the night sitting against the headboard, too scared to sleep deeply.

She jumped up when she heard the lock turn.

Reaper stepped inside carrying a tray. He looked even bigger in daylight. His dark hair was messy, and he wore a clean black t-shirt that stretched across his broad chest. The Savage Reapers president patch was back on his leather jacket. His dark eyes found her immediately.

“Morning, sugar,” he said. “You look beautiful even after a rough night.”

Mia crossed her arms over her chest. “Let me go home. Please. I won’t tell the police. I just want my bakery and my life back.”

Reaper set the tray on the small table. It had coffee, scrambled eggs, toast, and a perfect red velvet cupcake with black icing,the same kind she had delivered last night. Her stomach growled despite everything.

“Eat first,” he ordered. “Then we talk.”

“I’m not hungry,” she lied.

He raised one scarred eyebrow. “Your stomach says otherwise. Sit.”

Mia hesitated but sat on the edge of the couch. She was starving. Reaper pulled up a chair across from her and watched her eat. His stare was intense, like he was memorizing every bite she took.

After a few minutes he spoke again. “Your name is Mia Ellis. Twenty-four years old. You opened Sugar & Spice two years ago. Good reviews. People love your pastries. You live alone. You have no boyfriend. Smart girl.”

Mia froze with the coffee cup halfway to her lips. “You looked me up already?”

“I protect what’s mine,” Reaper said simply. “And you are mine now.”

She slammed the cup down. “I am not your property! You can’t just kidnap people because you feel like it.”

Reaper leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I could have killed you last night. Most men in my world would have. But the second I saw you standing there with flour on your apron and fear in your eyes… something changed. You’re soft in a world that’s nothing but hard. I’m keeping you, Mia.”

His words sent a confusing rush through her body. Part of her wanted to run. Another part, a dangerous part, felt strangely safe with this terrifying man.

“I have a business to run,” she said quietly. “Bills to pay. Employees who depend on me. What happens to my bakery if I disappear?”

Reaper nodded slowly. “I already sent two prospects to watch your shop. It stays open. Your assistant can handle things for a few days.”

“A few days?” Mia’s voice rose. “How long do you plan to keep me here?”

“Until I know you’re safe. The Vipers are looking for weaknesses right now. You saw too much. If they find out you exist, they’ll come for you to hurt me.”

Mia rubbed her temples. This nightmare kept getting worse. “I don’t even know who the Vipers are.”

“Rival club,” Reaper explained. “They sell drugs on our streets and want our territory. Last night I took out three of their dealers. They’ll be coming for blood.”

A loud knock sounded on the door. Reaper opened it. A massive man with a bushy beard and “Vice President” patch stepped in. He looked like a friendly giant.

“Tank,” Reaper greeted. “This is Mia.”

Tank gave her a respectful nod. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. Sorry about the… situation.” He turned to Reaper. “We got a problem at the garage. One of the bikes we were moving for that deal got marked with Viper paint. Looks like a warning.”

Reaper’s jaw tightened. “Handle it. I’ll be there in ten.”

Tank glanced at Mia again, then left. Reaper locked the door once more.

“You see?” he said. “It’s not safe out there for you right now.”

Mia stood up, anger pushing past her fear. “So what? I just stay locked in this room forever like a pet?”

Reaper walked closer until he towered over her. He cupped her face with one big hand. “Not forever. But for now, yes. You’ll have everything you need. I cleared space in the club kitchen for you. Brought all your favorite baking supplies this morning like flour, real butter, vanilla from that shop you like in Manhattan. You can bake here as much as you want.”

Mia stared at him in surprise. He had actually done research on her favorite suppliers. The small kindness made her eyes sting with tears.

“Why are you doing this?” she whispered. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “I know you work too hard. I know you smile at customers even when you’re tired. I know you deserve better than the life your mother had.”

Mia jerked back. “How do you know about my mother?”

Reaper paused, like he had said too much. “Later. Right now I need you to understand the rules. You stay inside the compound unless I’m with you. You don’t talk to outsiders. And you don’t try to run. If you run, I will find you. And when I bring you back, I’ll punish you in ways you’ll secretly enjoy.”

Heat flooded Mia’s face. She hated how her body reacted to his words.

“I’m not afraid of you,” she lied.

Reaper’s smile was dark and knowing. “Good. I don’t want you afraid. I want you willing.” He stepped even closer, his body heat surrounding her. “I want you begging for my hands on you. I want you wearing my patch and riding behind me on my bike so every man in this city knows you’re Reaper’s woman.”

Mia’s breath came faster. She could smell leather, soap, and something uniquely him. When he leaned down like he might kiss her, she turned her face away at the last second.

Reaper chuckled softly. “Soon, sugar. I can wait.”

He moved to the door. “I’ll send Raven to check on you. She’s one of us. You’ll like her. Try to eat more. And bake something if it helps you feel better.”

With that, he left and locked the door behind him.

Mia sank onto the bed, her heart was racing. She looked around the room more carefully. There was a duffel bag on the floor filled with new clothes in her size,soft leggings, t-shirts, even pretty underwear. On the counter sat a brand-new set of baking pans, her favorite brand of cocoa powder, and fresh strawberries.

She picked up a strawberry and turned it in her hands. This man had kidnapped her, yet he was trying to make her comfortable in his own twisted way. It was terrifying. And strangely thoughtful.

An hour later, the door opened again. A woman with short black hair, leather pants, and a confident stride walked in. She had a gun on her hip and a warm smile.

“Raven,” she introduced herself. “Reaper said you might need some girl talk. Also, I brought more coffee.”

Mia studied her warily. “Are you here to babysit me too?”

Raven laughed. “Sort of. But mostly I’m here because I remember what it was like when I first got pulled into this life. It’s a lot. Reaper is… intense. But he’s fair. If he says he’ll protect you, he means it with his life.”

Mia sat down slowly. “He killed three men last night. Right in front of me.”

Raven nodded. “The world outside these walls is ugly right now. The Reapers aren’t saints, but we have a code. We protect our own.”

For the next hour, Raven told her stories about the club. She showed Mia the kitchen space Reaper had prepared. It had a big oven and everything a baker could dream of. Mia found herself relaxing just a little as she started measuring flour.

But deep down, she was already planning. She needed to get back to her real life. She needed to escape.

What Mia didn’t know was that Reaper stood outside the door listening to her soft laugh with Raven. A dark, satisfied smile crossed his face. She was already becoming part of his world.

And he had no intention of ever letting her leave.