14. 14
14
Raven
D om and his crew take their time finishing their drinks, and I'm starting to wonder if they're ever going to leave. Their beady eyes keep wandering, frequently landing on me. It's unsettling. The tension they brought with them the moment they entered the bar is palpable. Everything about them puts me on edge.
"J," Archie says, tapping Jesse on the shoulder, "Viper and Bear know the situation. They'll be here soon."
Jesse's eyes never leave the group that's making everyone in the room uneasy. As if hearing Archie's words, Dom grins. He and his posse vacate their seats and start for the door. He gives me one last once over before spewing a cryptic message. "See ya around, Wild Thing."
Fuck you. "I sincerely hope not," I reply icily. The men leave in a cloud of laughter.
I've never been so happy to be rid of anyone in my life. They're crude and vile, but that isn't what has my hackles up. They're dangerous, and the last words Dom spoke to me . . . Those sounded like more than just a disturbing goodbye. Coming from him, they sounded like a threat.
Within minutes of them leaving, an echo of loud engines hums outside. Fuck. Are they coming back? My fists clench at my sides, and sharp nails dig into my skin as I watch the doors, waiting for the bastards to reappear. The engines cut, and heavy footsteps thud closer and closer to the door.
Jesse reaches under the bar toward the hidden shotgun that's there in case of emergencies. Everyone in the bar seems to be holding their breath, waiting to see who walks through the doors.
Sunlight filters in behind four hulking forms, and we see Elias, flanked by Bear and Hammer, as Reaper's mountainous form follows close behind. "What happened?" Elias asks.
Jesse fills them in about what happened with Dom and his gang earlier. With every detail, the men seem to grow more tense. "Viper," Bear says, motioning Elias and Hammer to the other side of the bar. The three men have a hushed discussion.
I try to hear what they're saying, but I'm too far away. When all three look directly at me, though, I know at least one subject they're discussing. It seems they, too, think Dom's parting words were more than idle banter. They continue their conversation for a few minutes before splitting off.
Bear pulls out his phone on his way back outside as Viper talks with Jesse and Archie. Hammer is relaying something to Reaper that seems to piss him off. Before I can start guessing what that's about, Elias appears next to me. "Raptor's with your sister; she's safe. He'll stay with her," he tells me.
It's a message I didn't know I needed until that moment. The whole situation with Dom's gang has my fight reflex on overdrive. Phoenix is safe when she's at school, but what about after? What could happen to her at home when she's alone? It's irrational; Dom and his cronies probably don't even know she exists. They didn't seem to know I existed until today—a small relief. Their beef is with the club, not us.
Nix is safe. She's not alone. Everything is going to be okay. I repeat the words until I almost believe them. Raptor is with her, and I know, at least temporarily, that no one will harm her.
"Raven." Viper's voice cuts through the air.
I turn to face him, noting the now neutral expression he has plastered on his face. "Yeah?"
"How 'bout you take off. Head home and spend the rest of the day with your sister." I notice it isn't a question so much as a command, but with everything that's happened today, I'm not going to argue.
I nod. "Yeah, okay. I'm sure you and the guys have a lot to discuss," I reply pointedly. Viper meets my eyes with a flash of anguish, and I almost feel bad for the guy as I walk away without another word.
I give Jesse and Archie a quick goodbye and grab my things. When I get outside, I'm unsurprised to find Reaper perched on his bike in the spot next to mine—he's back on guard duty. After everything that's happened, I don't have the energy to shoot off some smart-ass comment. To be honest, for once, I'm grateful for his hulking presence.
He fires up his motorcycle when I get to my car and waits for me to pull out. The enforcer stays right on my ass the whole way home, making sure no one gets between us, making sure I make it without being followed—a small comfort given the circumstances.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I pull into the drive and see Raptor's bike outside. He's still here with Nix, keeping her safe. Thank goodness.
Reaper stays outside even after I lock the door behind me, keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood. I can't help but notice his usual scowl looks angrier, more lethal than I've ever seen. The pit in my stomach—that feeling of dread that formed when Dom said his goodbye—starts to grow. I know in my gut things will only get worse from here.