chapter seven
1158 Words
Mia stood at the kitchen counter kneading dough harder than necessary, her knuckles were also very white. The rain from last night had finally stopped, but the heavy gray sky matched the storm still raging inside her chest.
She hadn’t slept more than an hour after Reaper’s dark words in the night. Every time she closed her eyes, his low, rough voice echoed: When you’re ready to stop fighting… I won’t be gentle.
She shivered despite the warmth of the ovens.
Raven was helping her today, chopping nuts for a batch of banana bread.
“You’re quiet this morning,” Raven noted. “Did Reaper get under your skin last night?”
Mia kept her eyes on the dough. “He doesn’t know how to give people space. Even when he’s across the room, it feels like he’s everywhere.”
Raven smiled faintly. “That’s Reaper. Once he locks onto something or someone, he doesn’t let go. Ever.”
The words settled uneasily over Mia. She divided the dough into pans and slid them into the oven. Baking had always been her safe place, but even that felt different now. Every tray she prepared felt like another thread tying her to this compound. To him.
A little after noon, Tank wandered in, sniffing the air like a happy bear. “Banana bread? Mia, you’re spoiling us. The prospects are begging to run errands just to come by here.”
Mia offered a small nod. Tank had been nothing but kind, yet she still kept her distance. Every man in this club followed Reaper’s orders. Including Tank.
Before she could reply, the atmosphere in the kitchen shifted. Reaper appeared in the doorway, his broad frame blocking most of the light. His dark hair was damp, and fresh dirt streaked his jeans. His eyes found Mia instantly, pulling her in like a magnet she couldn’t resist.
Tank straightened. “I’ll leave you two.” He grabbed a piece of warm bread and disappeared.
Reaper stayed where he was, leaning against the frame with that casual dominance that made Mia’s pulse spike. His gaze moved slowly over her, flour on her apron, the way her t-shirt clung to her curves, the nervous flick of her eyes.
“You look tired, sugar,” he said, voice low and teasing. “Did my words keep you up?”
Mia’s cheeks heated. She turned back to the counter, wiping it down with quick, sharp movements. “I’m fine.”
“Liar.” The word was soft, almost affectionate, but laced with dark promise. He didn’t come closer, respecting the invisible boundary for now. “You’ve been thinking about what I said. I can see it on your face. That little mix of fear and curiosity.”
Mia gripped the edge of the counter. “You enjoy this, don’t you? Scaring me. Toying with me.”
Reaper’s low chuckle sent heat rushing through her body. “I enjoy watching you fight something we both know is inevitable. You’re strong, Mia.” His voice dropped. “I like knowing that fire is mine to tame… when you’re ready.”
The dark romance in his words wrapped around her like smoke, dangerous, seductive, impossible to ignore. Mia hated how her body reacted. Her breath came quicker. A warm flutter low in her belly betrayed her mind, which still screamed that this man was a killer who had stolen her freedom.
“I’m not going to just accept this,” she whispered, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “No matter how many pretty words you use.”
“Good. I don’t want it to be easy. I want you to fight until the moment you realize you don’t want to anymore.” He tilted his head, studying her like she was the only thing worth looking at in his violent world. “Then I’ll take my time showing you exactly what being mine really means.”
The promise hung heavy between them. Mia’s heart hammered so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She was still scared of his power, his world, the blood on his hands. But beneath the fear, something darker was awakening.
A prospect hurried down the hallway. “Prez! Tank needs you at the gate. Delivery issue.”
Reaper’s jaw tightened, the softness in his eyes vanishing instantly. “Stay inside,” he told Mia. “Raven’s with you. Don’t make me come looking.”
He turned and left without another word, his heavy boots echoing. The tension in the kitchen snapped the moment he was gone.
Raven let out a low whistle. “Girl… the way he looks at you. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Mia pressed a hand to her warm cheek. “It feels like I’m losing myself a little more every day.”
The afternoon dragged on. Mia threw herself into baking cookies, muffins, anything to keep her hands and mind occupied. Club members passed by more frequently, offering grateful nods and quiet thanks. Their respect for Reaper’s claim was obvious. No one got too close. No one flirted. She was marked.
As evening approached, the compound grew louder. More bikes arrived. Voices carried tension. Something was happening with the Vipers again. Raven stayed close, her expression more serious than usual.
When Reaper finally returned to the room that night, it was late. Mia was already in bed, curled up facing the wall in soft sleep clothes. She heard him lock the door, remove his jacket and shower. The familiar routine had become strangely intimate in its own terrifying way.
He settled on the couch. The room fell quiet except for the distant hum of the city and occasional motorcycle rumbles.
After several long minutes, his rough voice broke the silence. “You baked enough today to feed half of Brooklyn.”
Mia didn’t answer, but she knew he wasn’t expecting her to.
“I meant what I said earlier,” he continued, voice low and intimate in the darkness. “I’ll wait. But don’t take too long figuring this out, sugar. The longer you fight me, the sweeter it’s going to be when you finally give in.”
Mia squeezed her eyes shut. Fear still ruled her heart, but the dark pull toward him was growing stronger. She could almost feel his gaze tracing her silhouette under the blanket.
Reaper chuckled softly, as if sensing her inner battle. “Sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. And Mia?”
She waited.
“When you’re ready… I’m going to ruin you for any other man. And you’re going to thank me for it.”
Mia lay awake long after his breathing evened out. The fear was still there. But now it was tangled with something far more dangerous.
Desire.
And in the silence of the locked room, surrounded by the Savage Reapers’ world, Mia wondered how much longer she could pretend she wasn’t already falling.
- Writer
