Chapter Seven
1009 Words
Chapter Seven
The pickup run felt like trouble from the moment we arrived at the old meatpacking plant. There were four of us Reapers, with Stone leading the way. Engines growled under the gray sky. I rode right behind him. My mind was split in two. Part of me was noting every weak spot to report back to my Iron Vipers brothers. The other part kept remembering the taste of Skyler on my tongue from last night.
Focus, asshole. Stone Callahan was the man who had looked my father in the eyes and pulled the trigger. He rode like he owned everything. I was supposed to help destroy him. Not protect him.
The supplier crew waited inside. They looked shady, with cold eyes and nervous hands. Crates of guns and ammo sat in the middle. Stone stepped forward to check the goods while the rest of us spread out. I stayed near a side door, watching closely.
That’s when I saw it.
A shadow moved on the catwalk above us. A red laser dot danced across one of the crates — a sniper’s scope. The lead supplier was smiling too much. His hand hovered over a hidden button in his pocket. This was an ambush. They planned to kill Stone and the others, steal the money, and blame someone else.
My heart pounded. This was perfect. I could let it happen. Let the Reapers lose their president today. My father’s death would be avenged without me doing the dirty work. I could slip away in the chaos and return to the Vipers as a hero.
But Skyler’s face flashed in my mind — her moans, her fire, the way she looked at me this morning like I already belonged to her. If Stone died now, it would break her. And I wasn’t ready to lose her yet. Not before I had completely ruined her for anyone else. Not before I decided whether I would kill her father myself or keep sleeping with his daughter while tearing his world apart.
I moved without thinking.
“Prez!” I shouted, lunging forward. I grabbed Stone by his cut and yanked him back hard. A silenced shot rang out from above. The bullet slammed into the crate where his head had just been. Chaos exploded.
I pulled my gun and fired at the catwalk, dropping the sniper with two quick shots. Then I spun and punched the lead supplier hard in the face before he could press the signal. “It’s a trap!” I yelled. “They’re attacking us!”
The Reapers jumped into action. Gunshots filled the plant. I stayed close to Stone, taking down another hidden shooter while the VP handled the rest. In less than two minutes, it was over. Blood stained the concrete. The crates were safe. The enemies were dead or gone.
Stone stood up slowly, breathing hard. He stared at me with new respect. “You saved my life, Blade. That bullet would have taken my head off.”
I shrugged and wiped the blood from my knuckles. “Just doing my job, Prez.”
He gripped my shoulder tightly. “Not many prospects react that fast. You have my trust.”
The ride back was quiet. Too quiet. I already felt the trouble coming. When I got a chance to send a secret message to my contact in the Vipers, the reply came back angry:
“What the f**k, Blade? You were supposed to let it happen. Are you getting soft? Or have you forgotten whose blood you carry?”
I deleted the message, jaw tight. They didn’t understand. Keeping Stone alive meant I could kill him myself later. It was strategy. Not weakness.
Back at the clubhouse, everyone was excited. Word had spread fast. Brothers rushed outside as we pulled in. Stone stood tall and raised his arms.
“Listen up!” he shouted so everyone could hear. Skyler stood by the garage door, arms crossed, acting calm in her tight tank and jeans. Her eyes met mine — full of heat, worry, and something stronger. “This new guy Blade just saved my life today. He spotted a trap meant to kill Reapers and took it down like a seasoned member. He’s no longer a prospect.”
Stone turned to me and gripped my shoulder again in front of the whole club. “You’re a full patched Iron Reaper now, son. Welcome to the family. You’re like a son to me already.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Son. The man who murdered my father was calling me son — while his daughter’s body was still sore from the way I f****d her last night. The twisted pain cut deep. Skyler kept her face neutral, but I saw the storm in her eyes. Her father was praising the enemy who had been deep inside her.
The club cheered loudly. Brothers slapped my back and gave me a new cut with the full Reaper patch. I forced a smile and played the loyal brother, even as dark satisfaction and heavy guilt fought inside me.
Once the crowd thinned, Skyler walked over slowly. She wore that sharp, teasing smile, but her voice was low so only I could hear. “Looks like you’re staying, son.” Her fingers brushed mine as she passed, sending heat straight through me. “Careful. Daddy’s watching you now.”
I caught her wrist for a second and squeezed. “Tonight, Sparks. My new room. You’re going to ride my face while I remind you exactly whose name you scream when no one’s listening.”
Her breath caught, but she pulled away smoothly as Stone called for her.
I watched them walk off together — father and daughter — and felt my obsession grow even stronger. I had saved him so I could kill him later on my own terms.
But every moment with her made me wonder how much of myself would still be left when the time came to pull the trigger.
- Writer
