Chapter 6
6
SANDY
H andler stands before me in his signature look, pressed suit, military haircut, and eyes that miss nothing as he surveys the Kings being loaded into transport vans.The desert wind whips his tie around as he flips through my surveillance photos, his expression unreadable.Just like the day he recruited me.
"Impressive work, Mitchell." He hands the photos back, his wedding ring catching the moonlight.I wonder if his wife knows what he really does, or if he lies to protect her too."Though revealing yourself to the Saints wasn't part of the plan."
"Plans change." I keep my voice steady despite the guilt churning in my gut."The Kings were going to out me anyway.This way, we controlled the narrative."
"And Reaper Hunter buying your cover story about protecting the Saints?That was just a bonus?"
I meet his gaze evenly, thankful for years of undercover work teaching me how to lie to the best.
"Having the Road Captain's trust makes the next phase easier." I watch Big Mike being escorted to a separate vehicle, his eyes burning with hatred as he passes."The crew will follow his lead."
"Speaking of the next phase." Handler moves us away from the other agents, voice dropping as we walk between rows of confiscated bikes.The Kings' machines sit silent now, their chrome dulled by desert dust."Timer's been in contact. Says the Georgia shipment is confirmed for next week.Same players, bigger stakes."
My heart skips at Timer's name.Five years of working with him, feeding him carefully crafted intel about rival clubs while he fed us just enough truth to maintain his cover.All leading to this moment. Every late-night meeting, every "coincidental" tip about the Kings, every careful manipulation--it was all building to this betrayal.
"He doesn't suspect anything?" I try to keep the edge out of my voice, remembering how Timer had looked at me earlier, trying and failing to hide his concern about my relationship with Reaper.
"Still thinks he's playing both sides." Handler's smile is cold as he hands me a file.Inside are photos of Timer meeting with known arms dealers, GPS coordinates of drops that match our intelligence perfectly."Your 'exposure' today helps sell it.He'll think you're too focused on keeping Reaper safe to notice his real game."
The irony burns like acid in my throat.Timer, who just hours ago showed fake concern about the Saints, has been setting them up all along.And I'm doing the same thing, just from a different angle.The weight of it sits heavy in my chest.
"What about Reaper?" I hate how my voice catches on his name, how even now he has the power to crack my carefully constructed walls."The deal stands?"
"Full immunity for him and the core Saints crew, minus Timer, in exchange for your testimony." Handler studies me too closely, like he's reading every micro-expression."Unless your feelings are compromising your judgment?"
"I'm clear on the mission." The lie comes automatically, years of practice making it smooth."Timer goes down, Reaper stays free, and the terrorist pipeline dies with the Kings."
"Good." He hands me a new burner phone, sleek and untraceable."Because Timer's not the only one we're watching.One hint that Reaper's involved in the weapons trade, and all deals are off.I don't care how many times you've shared his bed."
The crude implication stings, but I keep my face neutral.Handler doesn't need to know that every kiss, every touch, every moment with Reaper feels more real than any undercover identity I've ever worn.
My phone buzzes. Reaper's name lights up the screen with hotel details, and something soft and warm unfurls in my chest before I ruthlessly squash it.
"He's not dirty." I pocket both phones, fighting to keep my tone professional."Trust me on that."
"I trust you to do your job, Mitchell." Handler starts walking away, his shoes kicking up dust that sparkles in the light like broken glass."Even if that means breaking his heart to save his life.Again."
The words hit like a physical blow, forcing air from my lungs.Because he's right--No matter how this plays out, it's going to break Reaper's heart.Maybe irreparably this time. The thought of his face when he learns the truth about Timer, about my real mission, about everything I've hidden... it makes me physically sick.
My regular phone buzzes again.
Reaper:
Room 412. Don't make me wait another 5 years, Agent Mitchell.
A smile tugs at my lips despite everything.Even now, even with lies hanging between us like storm clouds, he can make my heart race with just a text.
Me:
ETA 2 hours.
Try to stay out of trouble until then, Road Captain.
"Mitchell." Handler's voice carries that tone I've learned to read like warning bells."Remember why you're here. Remember what's at stake."
"I know my job." I swing onto my bike, grateful for the helmet hiding my expression.The leather seat is still warm from the chase earlier, reminding me of how naturally Reaper and I had fallen into sync."Timer trusts me, Reaper trusts me, and soon we'll have enough evidence to shut down three terrorist pipelines."
"See that it stays that way." He turns to go, then pauses."And Mitchell? Don't let those feelings for Hunter blind you.Men like him... they don't forgive betrayal easily.Especially not from someone they love."
I watch him leave, his words echoing in my head like accusations.Because he's wrong about one thing--Reaper isn't just another mark to manipulate for me.He's the man I never stopped loving, even when duty forced us apart.Even when I threw his ring at his feet and walked away to save his life.
And tonight, I'm going to tell him everything.About Timer's years of betrayal, about the deal I made to keep the Saints safe, about why I really came back.Then I'll pray that what we're rebuilding is strong enough to survive one last lie.
My phone buzzes one more time.
Reaper:
Counting the minutes, Rebel.
"Me too," I whisper, gunning my engine."God help me, me too."
Because in five hours, I'm either going to save the man I love, or lose himforever.Again.
And this time, there's no walking away if it all goeswrong.Because this time, I'm not just protecting Reaper from externalthreats.I'm protecting him from the betrayal of someone he trusts likefamily.Someone who's been playing both sides so long, he probably doesn't even remember which side he startedon.
I point my bike toward the hotel, toward Reaper, toward whatever future we might salvage from thismess.Behind me, Handler oversees the prisoner transport, Timer's photos burn a hole in my jacket pocket, and seven years of undercover work race toward a conclusion Ican't control.
But ahead of me? Ahead of me is the only man who's ever made me want more than thejob.The only person who might understand why I did what Idid.
If I can just find the right words to make him see that sometimes love means lying to protect what mattersmost.
I arrive at the hotel, my heart pounding in time with my racing thoughts.The lies I need to confess tangle with the truths I'm desperate to share as I make my way to room 412.
I barely have a chance to knock before the door swings open and Reaper yanks me inside.His mouth crashes against mine in a kiss that steals my breath and silences the chaos in my head.There's no gentleness in the way his lips devour me, his tongue delving deep to stake his claim.
I moan into the kiss, my fingers threading through his dark hair to pull him closer.He groans, low and needy, as he walks me backward until my shoulders hit the wall.
"I've been waiting five years to do that again," he rasps against my throat, his teeth grazing sensitive skin.
"Worth the wait," I manage, gasping as his hands find my hips and lift me like I weigh nothing.I wrap my legs around his waist, grinding against the hard edge of his arousal."Though you're a little overdressed for this reunion."
He pulls back just far enough to flash me a wicked grin, his eyes molten gold in the low light."Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you."
His fingers find the zipper of my cut, tugging it down with deliberate slowness.I shrug out of the heavy leather, letting it fall forgotten to the floor.Reaper's hands skim up my sides, taking my tank top with them until I'm bared to his heated gaze.
"Christ, you're perfect," he breathes, his callused palms cupping my breasts like he's handling something precious."I'd almost forgotten how good you feel."
"I haven't." The confession slips out, raw and honest."I never could."
Something flashes in his eyes, too quick to name.Then he's kissing me again, deep and dirty, his hips rocking into mine in a primal rhythm that makes my toes curl.I fumble with the buttons of his cut, needing to feel his skin against mine.
He breaks the kiss just long enough to shrug out of the leather, revealing miles of tattooed muscle that make my mouth water.I trace the familiar ink with greedy fingers, relearning every line and shadow.
"I missed this," I whisper, nipping at his collarbone."Missed you."
"No more missing." He strips off my jeans with quick, efficient tugs, leaving me bare and aching."No more secrets. Just you and me, Rebel."
"You and me," I echo, my heart cracking at the promise in his voice.Because he doesn't know about the lies I'm here to confess.
Then his fingers find my slick heat and all thought flees.I arch into his touch, my head falling back against the wall as he strokes me with ruthless precision.
His fingers slide through my wet folds, circling my aching clit with teasing precision.I gasp, my hips bucking against his hand as waves of pleasure radiate through me.
"Reaper," I moan, my nails digging into his shoulders."Please..."
"Please what?" He nips at my earlobe, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine."Tell me what you need, baby."
"You. I need you." I'm beyond shame.In this moment, all I want is to feel him, taste him, drown in him until the rest of the world fades away.
He growls his approval, his fingers thrusting deep as his thumb keeps relentless pressure on my clit.I writhe against him, chasing the release that coils tighter with every stroke.
His mouth blazes a trail of fire down my throat, his teeth and tongue marking me as his.He sucks hard at the juncture of my neck and shoulder, and the slight pain blends with the pleasure until I'm drunk on the sensation.
"Mine," he rasps, soothing the sting with his tongue."Always mine."
"Yes." It's a vow and a prayer all at once."Always."
He kisses his way lower, his stubble rasping deliciously against my sensitive skin.I bury my fingers in his hair as he takes one nipple into his hot mouth, sucking hard before swirling his tongue around the pebbled peak.
"Fuck, your mouth," I pant, my head thudding back against the wall as he switches to the other breast, lavishing it with the same attention."So good, Reaper. Don't stop."
"Never." He releases my nipple with a wet pop, his eyes burning into mine."Gonna taste every inch of you.Gonna make you come on my tongue, my fingers, and my cock."
A broken moan escapes me at his filthy words, my pussy clenching around his thrusting fingers.He grins, feral and triumphant, as he kisses down my stomach, his tongue dipping into my navel.
I'm trembling now, my thighs quaking as he slowly sinks to his knees.He looks up at me through his lashes, his expression pure sin.
"Hold on tight, Rebel," he warns, his voice a low rumble that I feel in my core."I'm about to take you on the ride of your fucking life."
Then he seals his mouth over my clit and sucks hard, his fingers curling inside me to stroke that perfect spot, and I shatter.My orgasm rips through me like a tidal wave, my throat raw from the scream that tears loose.Reaper works me through it, his tongue lashing my clit, his fingers pumping steadily as I pulse and clench around him.
Reaper doesn't relent. Instead, he extends his feasts of my pussy with a hunger that borders on feral, his tongue lashing over my clit in firm strokes as he sucks the sensitive bud between his lips.The wet, obscene sounds of his mouth working fills the room, mingling with my needy whimpers and breathy moans.
"Fuck, your pussy tastes amazing," he growls against my slick folds."Could eat this sweet cunt for hours."
His filthy praise makes me clench around his thrusting fingers.He groans his approval, the vibrations shooting sparks of pleasure through my core.I rock my hips against his face shamelessly, chasing the third release that hovers just out of reach.
Reaper seems to sense how close I am.He redoubles his efforts, alternating between sucking my clit and tonguing my entrance with deep, probing strokes.His fingers curl inside me, again rubbing that sensitive spot that drives me wild.
"That's it, baby," he urges, his voice muffled against my pussy."Ride my face. Take what you need."
I obey mindlessly, grinding against his mouth as the pressure builds to an unbearable peak.His free hand grips my ass, holding me steady as he devours me.
He gives my clit a final hard suck then moves lower, spearing his tongue deep into my fluttering channel.I keen at the sensation, my fingers fisting in his hair.He tongue-fucks me mercilessly, his nose bumping my clit with every thrust.
"Reaper, fuck, I'm gonna--"
My words cut off on a strangled cry as a third orgasm slams into me.I convulse against his mouth, my pussy gushing around his pumping fingers and probing tongue.He makes a sound of pure male satisfaction, lapping at my release like he's starving for it.
I'm still shaking with aftershocks when he surges up my body and kisses me hard.I moan at the taste of myself on his lips, my tongue tangling greedily with his.
He walks us toward the bed, his hands roaming my sweat-slicked skin.I fumble with his belt buckle, desperate to feel him inside me.He helps me strip off his jeans, his heavy erection springing free to slap against his stomach.
My mouth waters at the sight.I wrap my fingers around his thick length, relishing his guttural groan.He pulses in my grip, hot and hard and perfect.
"I need your cock," I rasp, stroking him from root to tip."Need to feel you stretch me, fill me up."
"Fuck yes," he hisses, his hips flexing into my touch."Gonna bury myself so deep in your pretty pussy.Gonna make you scream my name until you forget you ever let me go."
Reaper's possessive growl sends a shiver down my spine as he lowers me to the bed.The cool sheets are a shock against my heated skin but it barely registers because Reaper is rummaging in the nightstand and then he's kneeling between my spread thighs,condom packet between his teeth.
He rips it open, his eyes burning into mine."You sure about this, Rebel? Once I'm inside you, all bets are off."
In answer, I pluck the condom from his fingers and sit up to roll it onto his impressive length.He groans, low and guttural, as I give him a firm stroke from base to tip.
"Does that answer your question?" I purr, tracing the thick vein on the underside of his cock.
"Fuck yes," he rasps, pushing me back down and notching his latex-covered tip at my entrance.He pauses there, his jaw tight with restraint."Tell me you want this, Sandy.Tell me you need my cock pounding this sweet pussy.Tell me it's all you've thought about for five fucking years."
"I want this," I breathe, hooking my legs around his hips to urge him closer."I need you so deep inside me I forget my own name.It's all I've craved since the moment I walked away."
Reaper makes a noise like I've punched him.Then he's thrusting forward, sheathing himself to the hilt in one relentless drive.My back arches off the bed at the sudden fullness, my walls stretching to accommodate his thick girth.He stills there, his forehead pressed to mine, giving me a moment to adjust.
"Christ you feel incredible," he grits out, his hips twitching with the effort of holding back."So fucking tight and wet. Perfect."
"Please," I whimper, canting my hips to take him even deeper.The slight burn only adds to the pleasure coursing through my veins."Fuck me, Reaper. Fuck me so hard I can't walk tomorrow."
His control snaps. He withdraws almost completely then slams back in, setting a pounding rhythm that has me seeing stars.I cling to his shoulders, my nails raking down his back as he pistons into my greedy pussy again and again.
The filthy slap of flesh against flesh echoes obscenely in the quiet room, interspersed with Reaper's harsh grunts and my wanton moans.He hammers into me with laser focus, like he's trying to brand himself onto my soul with every punishing thrust.
"Goddamn, look at this pussy taking my cock," he snarls, his eyes riveted to where we're joined."Fucking made for me, aren't you baby?No one else will ever fill you up like this."
"No one," I agree breathlessly, my pussy clamping down on his cock as I creep steadily back up to the edge.
His filthy words are my undoing.My pussy clamps down on his cock like a vice, rippling and fluttering as my climax builds.Reaper groans, the muscles in his back flexing under my scrabbling fingers.
"That's it," he growls, snapping his hips faster, harder, the force driving me up the bed."Squeeze my cock, baby. Milk it dry with this greedy cunt."
He slams into me like a man possessed, grinding against my clit with every thrust.The combination of sensations sends me flying over the edge with a ragged scream.My orgasm crashes through me in waves of molten bliss, my core spasming wildly around his driving length.
"Fuck, Sandy!" Reaper's shout is pure satisfaction as my rippling walls trigger his own release.He buries himself to the hilt, his cock pulsing deep inside me as he empties himself into the condom.
We stay locked together, trembling and panting, our sweat-slicked skin slidingdeliciously.Reaper's weight is a comforting anchor, his heart thundering againstmine.I feel marked, claimed, thoroughly owned in the best possibleway.
"Fuck, I’ve missed you," he murmurs into my hair, his voice raw withemotion."I never stopped thinking about you, not for a single goddamnsecond."
Tears sting my eyes at hisconfession."I’ve missed you too. So fuckingmuch."
He kisses me then, deep and slow and achinglytender.I pour everything I feel into the kiss, trying to memorize the taste and feel of him just in case this is the last time I ever get to havethis.
Because the secrets I'm keeping could destroy usboth.
Reaper eventually rolls off me, disposing of the condom and using his discarded shirt to gently clean up the mess between mythighs.I'm fully sated, my limbs refusing to cooperate as he settles me under the covers and pulls me into hisarms.
"Sleep, Rebel," he rumbles, nuzzling my temple. "I've got you."
But I can't sleep, not yet. Not when the lies are burning a hole in mychest.
"Reaper, I need to tell you something," I whisper, dread knotting mystomach."It's about T-"
"Shhh, we can talk about it in the morning," he soothes, his fingers stroking through my tangleshair."Whatever it is, we'll face ittogether.No more secrets,remember?"
The promise lodges in mythroat.I want so badly to believe him, to trust that our love is strong enough to weather anystorm.But the rational part of me knowsbetter.
Men like Reaper don't forgive betrayaleasily.Especially not from someone who's already broken their heartonce.
"First thing," I agree hoarsely, sighing as he settles in behind me, soothing me tosleep.