Chapter 10 Crypt
Grim was waiting for us inside his office. He already told me to bring Rachel once Rylee was settled, so I knew he wasn’t surprised to see us outside his door. When I knocked, he told us to enter right away.
Rachel sat in front of his desk, choosing one of the two leather chairs that faced Grim. “You wanted to see me?”
I took the seat beside her.
Grim leaned back in his chair. I guessed he wanted to appear relaxed when he spoke, so he didn’t make her feel cornered. “Just want to get a few details straight about the kidnapping.”
“Well, I believe it has to deal with Doyle, my ex.”
I stiffened in my seat because if her ex was the reason Rylee was taken, I would find him and reap his fucking soul.
Woah. Where the hell did that come from?
A protective urge grew inside me that was more than my own feelings. This came from the Reaper. He was growing pissed. I didn’t know how to make him chill the fuck out, but until we had information, he needed to sit the fuck down.
Surprisingly, he listened.
My hands relaxed and stopped gripping the arms of the chair as I breathed, trying to cool the rage simmering in my veins. It was like the Reaper knew something I didn’t because he refused to retreat into the shadows of my mind where he’d been before I kissed Rachel.
Shit. Was he riled up because of the lust and attraction I felt?
She is ours.
I almost jolted as he spoke in my head. Nope. Rachel was mine. I wasn’t sharing with a fucking demonic entity.
He growled.
I told him to fuck off.
Rachel was answering Grim’s question. I had to focus.
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“No. Doyle is a piece of shit. He racked up a bunch of gambling debt and then offered our daughter as a way to pay it off. They sent me screenshots.” Rachel looked to be on the verge of tears. “Who the hell does that?”
I growled and rose to my feet, resisting the urge to punch a wall. “Are you saying he listed his own daughter as payment?”
“To traffickers or mafia. I don’t exactly know who they are. It’s not like they sent me a picture of their ID or a stamp of their affiliation.” She sounded flustered. “But who else would want a little girl to pay off a debt? It sounds like human traffickers to me.”
“Or pedophiles. It doesn’t matter,” Grim agreed. “I only need information to protect the club, and that extends to you, Rachel. You’re family. Hannibal has made it clear that you’re to have a member with you at all times until we know for sure this is over.”
“I volunteer,” I announced. “Hannibal can kiss my ass if he doesn’t like it.”
Grim smirked. He searched my face and shook his head.
I felt the presence of my Reaper. He was being a fucking asshole right now, shoving himself into my business.
“Well, I think that’s my call, Crypt. Not yours.”
Shit. She was right.
My Reaper receded a little, less cocky after Rachel spoke.
“I’d like to be the one keeping you safe, babe. If you prefer someone else, I respect that, but I won’t like it.”
She patted my arm. “Sit down. I know how you feel.”
Good. That makes it easy to claim her.
I ignored the Reaper. He was chatty today.
“I’d like to have Crypt with me, especially since I intend to go back home. Rylee needs stability. All her things are home. She needs to sleep in her room and know that everything will be okay. That she’s safe and protected. I don’t want her to fear being in the house again or sleeping in her bed.”
Hell yeah! She wanted me.
“Hannibal is welcome to come over whenever he wants, and I’ll tell him that. But I’m not going to cower or hide because a few assholes threatened Rylee and me. This is on Doyle. He can deal with the mess he made.”
Grim leaned forward, placing his elbows on his desk. He looked right into her eyes. “He’s dead.”
Rachel blinked. “Dead? How? When?”
“He attacked Rael’s ol’ lady. It was a few weeks ago.”
“What are you not telling me?”
Damn, she was smart. Rachel picked up on cues that a lot of people missed. Maybe because she was Hannibal’s daughter. He seemed to never miss a thing.
“We took care of him. The club got justice for Nylah.”
“Wow.” Rachel slumped in her chair. “I wish I could say I feel sad, but I don’t. He cheated on me. Screamed at our daughter. He was a shitty husband and a worse father. I’m glad he’s gone.”
That made two of us.
“Can you think of anything else we need to know?”
“Not really.”
“Okay. We’re good, Rachel. Wish you would consider staying here for a bit until we get this all sorted.”
“I’ll be fine. I want to take Rylee home. Besides, I’ve got Crypt. With my father, that’s two layers of protection.”
Grim stood. “I hope you’ll come back and visit with Rylee. The other ol’ ladies and families would love to see you both. My Trish will want to meet you.”
“I’ll come back soon,” Rachel promised as she rose from her seat and headed to the door. “Thank you, Grim. For everything.”
We left Grim’s office and shut the door, taking the stairs back up to the room.
The prospect greeted us. “Movie went quiet a few minutes ago. I think they’re sleeping.”
“Thanks.”
Rachel entered first, and I followed her, noting that the room was dark. Hannibal’s snore was low. Rylee was quiet. He had moved her to one side of the bed, keeping her close.
Rachel kicked off her shoes and joined them.
I watched her slip under the covers and lie close to Rylee.
Even with the prospect outside the door, I had to be sure we’d all be safe.
I flipped the lock and then crossed the room, taking off my boots and placing them on the floor.
My cut followed, and I draped it over one of the chairs.
I’d have to sleep in my shirt and jeans, but that was fine. I was tired since it was nearly two in the morning. With Rachel beside me, I would sleep without a hitch.
She reached for me as I stretched out beside her, and I rolled over, pressing my front to her back, guarding that side of her body so she felt safe beside Rylee, protected between Hannibal and me.
I had no idea how long we slept. My eyes closed as soon as I slipped my arm around Rachel, and my head landed on the pillow. It took me a minute to figure out what woke me. It was the sound of running water in the bathroom.
Rachel was still asleep. I slowly opened my eyes, seeing Rylee snuggled against her mom. It was Hannibal in the bathroom.
I tried to close my eyes and ignore him, but it proved impossible.
By the time he was done, I had sat up, shrugged on my cut, and shoved my feet back into my boots.
He didn’t say a word as I entered the bathroom after him, taking a quick piss before I located a toothbrush in a new package and toothpaste.
The Crossroads kept those sorts of items stocked.
When I left the bathroom, he was sitting at the table, sipping coffee. I could tell he wanted to talk.
He pushed a cup of coffee toward me, and I picked up the mug, keeping my voice low as I thanked him.
“She’s not leaving The Crossroads.”
I nearly choked on the hot liquid. “Have you told her that?”
He snorted. “No one tells my daughter shit. She’s just like her old man. Same stubbornness and temper. Same drive to live life on her terms. She’s protective of her daughter and doesn’t take shit from anyone other than her useless ex. Thank fuck he’s gone.”
“Reaping?” I asked to clarify.
“Yeah.”
I wasn’t surprised. “What now?”
“You stay with her. Keep her and Rylee safe. Something feels off. Not sure what it is. Until then, I prefer to keep her here. If she won’t stay, you go with her. Don’t let either of them out of your sight.”
“You’re worried this isn’t over.”
“I hope it is, but in case it’s not, we’re taking precautions.”
Fine with me. I was surprised he wasn’t giving me shit since he didn’t seem to like Rachel and me together.
Of course, there wasn’t much to say yet.
We were in the beginning stages of a relationship.
I couldn’t move fast with a little girl involved.
We had to take this at Rachel’s pace. “Works for me.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Hands off. Rachel is a single mom. Rylee needs her after the shit that’s gone down. Don’t fuck that up.”
I was almost insulted. “You think I only care about pussy?” I shook my head, keeping my voice low.
“That’s not what this is. I care about Rachel and Rylee.
I want to be sure they’re safe, and nothing happens to them.
Sure, I’m attracted to Rachel, but we’ve talked about this. We’re not rushing anything.”
He grunted.
“But if we do decide something, that’s none of your goddamn business, Hannibal.”
His jaw clenched as he stared at me.
“Rachel is a grown woman. She’s intelligent, beautiful, and fucking fierce. I know she’d kick me to the curb if I fucked up, so you don’t need to get involved. I’m gonna be damn lucky if she gives me a chance. I won’t fuck it up.”
“We’ll see.” Hannibal went back to his coffee, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. In his place, I’d have said the same thing. He was a lot calmer than I would be in his shoes.
Still, Rachel could handle herself.
The girls woke up about an hour later. After they were ready, we went downstairs for breakfast. I sat at one of the tables in the dining area beside Rachel, eating from two plates.
Rylee looked up at me. “Mr. Crypt, why do you have two plates?”
“Well, I don’t like my pancakes and syrup to touch everything else, so I keep them separate.”
“I like syrup on everything.”
I laughed. “Well, when I was your age, I think I did too. Sometimes that changes when you grow up.”
“Mama says being a grown-up is hard work because of bills.”
“She’s right,” I agreed. “It’s expensive.”
Rylee thought that over. “Am I expensive?”
“No,” I replied with a smile. “I think you’re perfect.”
Rylee smiled as she shoved a big bite of pancake into her mouth.
She really was a sweetheart, just like her mom.
I hadn’t given much thought to kids. Never cared one way or another about having them.
But meeting Rachel and her daughter had changed my perception.
Having both of them in my life would only make it a better place.
Rachel turned to her daughter. “Would you like to go home today? Sleep in your own bed?”
“Is grandpa coming?”
“He’ll visit.”
“What about Mr. Crypt?”
“Just Crypt.” I winked at her.
“He’s coming with us, but only if you say it’s okay.”
“Yay! It’ll be another sleepover tonight!”
“Young kids bounce back, huh?” I asked Rachel as she leaned against my side.
“Sometimes, but I’m here if the other shoe drops.”
“I will be too, Rachel.”
“I appreciate that, Crypt.”
I wasn’t blowing smoke up her skirt. I meant every word.
Rachel kissed my cheek. “You’re a good man, Crypt.”
“Even if I’m an ex-con?”
“Sometimes good men have to make bad choices. I don’t think you deserve to pay for it the rest of your life.”
“Careful. Saying those words to me could make me fall for you, Brown Eyes.”
She didn’t seem to mind.