Chapter 36
SUNDAY
Iam gone, delirious, intoxicated, and now officially ruined for any other man.
Razor is inside me, and I wouldn’t want him to be anywhere else. He is driving hard into me from behind, my face rubbing against the dirt. It’s filthy, sexy and addictive, and thank God it’s still early because I have a feeling this won’t be the only time today.
I am his victim; I can play no part in this but take what he gives me. Helpless under him.
It’s the most liberating experience of my life.
He comes hard, deep inside me, and my heart slams against my chest, my breathing shallow as the cool water cleans me up.
His touch is gentle as he presses soft kisses along my neck—something I'll never take for granted.
It's bittersweet, knowing moments like this are borrowed, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
He spins me in the water before wrapping those powerful arms around me. Leaning back, he lets the lagoon carry us while I float against him like I'm weightless.
"This must be what paradise feels like."
His voice is rough with contentment.
"Only if you're here."
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I keep my voice steady.
"We're here now."
As we drift across the crystal-clear lagoon, I'm forgiven for believing the world is perfect. That danger doesn't exist. That no one is hunting me.
For one precious day, I loosen my grip on the demons that have followed me for so long and simply let them go.
"How did you find this place?"
"We're always scouting secluded land for future cabins. Mountain retreats, forest homes—we've got them scattered all over the country. When we're not on missions, finding places like this is part of the job."
"So why didn't you build here? This place is perfect."
"It is." His fingers lazily trace circles against my hip beneath the water. "But it's close to The Rubicon. That's already the safest place there is. A few of the guys come up here to camp now and then, but otherwise we leave it untouched."
"I hope they don't decide to come today."
"They won't."
I glance over my shoulder. "How can you be so sure?"
"It's already booked."
I laugh. "You book out hidden lagoons now?"
His quiet chuckle vibrates beneath me.
"No. I log where I'm going."
"What does that mean?"
"There's a book near the entrance. Everyone signs out before they leave. If another Reaper checks it—and they always do—they'll know this spot's occupied for the day."
"It sounds surprisingly simple."
"It is." He shrugs. "We don't over complicate life at The Rubicon."
"Are you sure about that?"
There's enough hidden meaning in those words to make him laugh again.
I'm tempted to challenge him, but I don't want to spoil what's becoming the best day I've had in years.
We drift lazily through the lagoon, and eventually I stop noticing the coolness of the water. It rocks us gently while Razor becomes the most comfortable place I've ever rested.
"Tell me about your brothers."
The question catches me off guard. Razor has never been one for idle conversation.
Maybe there's hope for him yet.
"They're older than me. Not by much, but enough to make my childhood miserable."
"Protective?"
"And then some."
"I like them already."
"You would." I grin. "Although I should warn you—they're capable of holding an actual conversation."
His quiet laugh makes me smile wider.
"Their names were Chad and Logan."
"Were?"
"They both changed them after joining the military. Chad became Devon. Logan became Axel."
"I'm guessing there's a story behind that."
"You'd have to ask them. Personally, I think they just liked the names and made up reasons afterward."
"Where are they now?"
"I honestly don't know."
The smile slips from my face.
"They're special ops. We don't hear from them very often."
"That must be hard."
He presses another kiss against the back of my neck, easing some of the tightness in my chest.
"I worry about them. And my dad."
"Did you speak to him after you got here?"
"Ryder gave me a secure phone. I called once."
"You should call him again. It'll be safe."
I shake my head.
"If anything happened to him because I couldn't resist hearing his voice..." My own words catch in my throat. "I'd never forgive myself."
Silence settles between us before Razor asks quietly,
"This guy."
"Santiago."
Just hearing his name is enough to sour the day.
"We can remove him."
The simplicity of the statement makes my heart stumble.
For one reckless second, I'm tempted.
"But if you did..." I swallow. "You'd end up charged with murder."
His low laugh is almost amused.
"Darlin', it'd be one of many." He kisses my shoulder. "Didn't you learn anything? We've got a license to kill."
Part of me has often wondered why Ryder didn't simply eliminate Santiago when I arrived. It would solve everything.
Then again, men like Santiago probably existed on every street corner.
Razor lets out a thoughtful breath.
"I'd volunteer," he admits. "But Ryder doesn't remove people unless every other option's been exhausted. Sounds like the local MC's keeping him under control for now."
"I suppose."
Curiosity nudges away the darker thoughts.
"So tell me about them."
"The club?"
I nod.
"They're called the Wild Angels."
Even the name sounds intimidating.
"They're one of the biggest clubs operating out of L.A. People fear them because they're massive, well-organized, and don't answer to anyone. In public they wear skeleton masks. Their president..." He gives a small shake of his head. "He's practically a myth."
"What do you mean?"
"No one's ever identified him. He could walk through downtown without a mask or patch and nobody would know who he was."
"Seriously?"
"There are all kinds of stories." Razor smiles. "Some say he's a movie star. Others swear he's a famous director. I've even heard politician."
I laugh.
"So nobody actually knows?"
"Nope. Whoever he is, he's got deep pockets, one hell of a clubhouse, and enough members to take over the city if they ever wanted to."
"That sounds terrifying."
"Maybe." He shrugs. "Thing is, they don't want to. They're rarely the ones causing trouble. Usually they're the ones ending it."
"When did they take over?"
"About five years ago. The Mafia had their claws deep into Los Angeles. Crime was everywhere. Tourism took a hit. Then the Wild Angels showed up and cleaned house."
"They sound like superheroes."
I picture an army of bikers wearing skeleton masks swooping through the streets like some twisted version of Batman, and a laugh escapes me.
Razor's smile softens.
"They're good at what they do. That's why Ryder knows your father is safe while they're watching over him."
"So, I could go home?"
His arm tightens around my waist, and his voice turns deadly quiet.
"No."
One devastating word.
"Santiago wouldn't touch your father."
The hope inside me steadies.
"He'd use you to punish him instead."
Ice creeps through my veins.
"An accident. A disappearance." His jaw hardens. "Maybe your body never gets found."
I shiver.
Razor brushes another kiss against my neck.
"Vengeance cuts both ways, darlin'. Ryder's got a reason for leaving Santiago alive. We just don't know what it is yet."
We continue drifting across the lagoon, the silence settling comfortably around us.
But my thoughts have already left paradise.
They're back home—with my father, my brothers, and the monster called Santiago De Sauro.