Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Zach
I arrive at the clubhouse to find it humming with activity.
The usual Thursday afternoon lull has been replaced by a buzz of focused energy.
Of brothers cleaning weapons and prospects running errands, and the air thick with cigarette smoke and purpose.
Yesterday’s confrontation with the Reapers has shifted something fundamental in our routine.
The heavy wooden doors swing shut behind me, sealing off the bright afternoon sunlight. My eyes adjust to the dimness, scanning the main room automatically for threats before I recognize the habit and force myself to relax. Old instincts die hard.
Greyson stands at the bar, bent over what looks like building plans spread across the polished wood. His brow is furrowed in concentration, a tumbler of amber liquid untouched at his elbow despite the early hour. He glances up as I approach, eyes sharp with assessment.
“You look better,” he observes, straightening to his full height. “Less like you’re about to murder someone.”
I shrug, sliding onto a barstool. “Amazing what a few hours of sleep can do.”
He studies me for a moment longer, something knowing in his gaze. “And good company, I’m guessing.”
Heat crawls up my neck, but I keep my expression neutral. Grey’s always been too perceptive for his own. “The doctor’s doing okay, considering.”
“Good.” He taps a finger against the plans. “Because we need to talk about him.”
My body tenses automatically, a protective instinct I can’t quite control. “What about him?”
Grey sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Relax, Slaughter. I’m not suggesting anything bad. But after yesterday, we need to consider security implications.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning the Reapers saw you at the hospital. Saw how you reacted when the doctor was threatened.” He holds my gaze steadily. “They’re not stupid. They’ll put it together that he matters to you.”
The cold weight of realization settles in my gut. I’d been so focused on the immediate threat yesterday that I hadn’t considered the longer-term implications. Xavier could become a target not because of who he is, but because of who I am. Because of what he means to me.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” I admit, fingers drumming restlessly against the bartop. “Been thinking about it all morning.”
“And?”
“And I’m not walking away from him.” The words come out with more force than I intended, an edge of challenge I rarely direct at Grey.
To my surprise, he chuckles. “Didn’t expect you to. That’s not what I’m suggesting.” He slides the plans toward me. “Take a look.”
I glance down, recognizing the layout of Xavier’s apartment building. “You had Demon pull these?”
“Last night.” Grey takes a sip of his drink, finally. “Security’s decent, but not great. Single entrance, no doorman, cameras only in the lobby. Fire escape on the east side that any halfway competent climber could access.”
I study the plans, mentally cataloging vulnerabilities. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking your doctor needs better security.” Grey’s voice is matter-of-fact. “New locks at minimum. Maybe a system. Definitely cameras.”
I consider the security upgrades, nodding slowly. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“It’s not just about the locks,” Grey says, his voice dropping lower. “Demon’s been monitoring police channels and our street contacts all morning. The Reapers aren’t leaving town.”
My head snaps up. “What?”
“They’ve been spotted at three different locations since dawn.
Gas station on Route 16, that motel on the outskirts, and two of them were seen watching the hospital from across the street.
” Grey’s jaw tightens. “They’re pissed, Slaughter.
Three of their brothers are dead, others wounded.
They’re not just licking their wounds, they’re planning something. ”
Cold fury washes through me. “Let them try.”
“That’s exactly what they want,” Grey warns. “They’ve upped the ante. This isn’t just about passing through our territory anymore. They want the town. They’re making a statement.”
“Fuck their statement,” I growl, standing so abruptly my stool scrapes against the floor. “They come near Xavier again—”
“That’s my point,” Grey cuts me off. “They know they hit a nerve yesterday. Targeting civilians, especially ones connected to us? That’s their new play.”
The clubhouse door swings open, and Demon strides in, his face grim. “We’ve got more,” he announces, not bothering with pleasantries. “Just intercepted police chatter. Two Reapers just rode past the high school. Slow drive-by, making sure they were seen.”
“The school?” I ask, my stomach dropping. “Where Xavier’s sister works?”
Grey curses under his breath. “Fucking cowards. Going after families now.”
I pull out my phone, already dialing Xavier’s number. My heart hammers against my ribs as I wait for him to answer.
“Zach?” His voice comes through, steady and clear. “Everything okay?”
“Where are you?” I demand, not bothering to hide the urgency in my tone.
“At the hospital,” he answers, concern evident in his tone. “Checking on Marissa. What’s wrong?”
“Stay there,” I order. “Don’t leave the building. I’m sending someone to pick you up.”
“Zach, what’s happening?” His voice sharpens with alarm.
“The Reapers are still in town,” I explain, already moving toward the door with Grey and Demon falling in behind me. “They’ve been spotted watching the hospital. And they just drove by the high school.”
There’s a beat of silence, then, “Samantha. My sister…”
“I know. We’re handling it. Your dad’s been notified too.” I push through the door and into the sunlight, signaling to my father who’s smoking by his bike. “Just stay put. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay,” he agrees, and I hear the doctor in him taking over. Calm under pressure. “Be careful.”
“Always am,” I promise, ending the call.
Grey is already barking orders, splitting brothers into teams. “Torch, take four men to the school. Coordinate with the police but keep your distance, we don’t need a territorial pissing match right now.
Demon, I want eyes on every Reaper in town.
Butcher, you and three others go to the hospital. Bring the doctor here.”
“Here?” I question, surprised.
Grey meets my gaze steadily. “Clubhouse is the safest place right now. We’ve got numbers, firepower, and they’d be idiots to attack us directly.” He pauses. “Unless you have a better suggestion?”
I consider it briefly. The clubhouse means bringing Xavier deeper into my world, but it also means I can guarantee his safety. “No, you’re right. But I’ll get him myself.”
Grey nods, unsurprised. “Take Butcher and Liam. Three bikes, different routes back. Make it hard for anyone to follow.”
I swing onto my motorcycle, the engine roaring to life beneath me. As I pull out of the lot with my father and Liam flanking me, my mind races through contingencies, threats, protective measures. The Reapers have chosen to escalate this conflict, targeting the vulnerable edges of our world.
They’ve made a fatal mistake.
Because now this isn’t just about territory or respect or club politics. Now it’s personal. And if there’s one thing the Reapers should have researched before coming to our town, it’s what happens to people who threaten what’s mine.
We split up at the first intersection, taking separate routes as planned. The hospital comes into view after a series of deliberate detours designed to flush out any tail. I circle the building once, scanning for threats before pulling up to the emergency entrance where Xavier said he’d be waiting.
He stands just inside the glass doors, speaking with a security guard. When he spots me, relief washes over his face. He says something to the guard, then pushes through the doors, moving quickly toward me.
“What’s happening?” he asks, accepting the helmet I hand him.
“Get on,” I say, eyes still scanning our surroundings. “I’ll explain everything once we’re somewhere safe.”
He swings onto the bike behind me with surprising grace, arms wrapping securely around my waist. The trust implicit in the action in his willingness to follow me without question tightens something in my chest.
“Where are we going?” he asks, voice close to my ear.
“Clubhouse,” I reply, kickstarting the engine. “Grey’s orders.”
I feel him tense slightly against my back, but he doesn’t protest. Instead, his arms tighten around me, his body molding against mine as I pull away from the curb.
In my side mirror, I catch a glimpse of my father’s bike appearing from the west entrance, falling into position behind us.
Liam will be taking a completely different route, meeting us at the rendezvous point.
As we wind through side streets, avoiding main roads, I feel Xavier’s steady heartbeat against my back. The weight of responsibility settles over me, not just for his physical safety, but for bringing him deeper into a world he may not be ready to fully understand.
But the Reapers have left us no choice. They’ve declared war, not just on the Devil Souls, but on everyone connected to us. And in doing so, they’ve sealed their fate.
Because nobody threatens what’s mine and lives to tell about it.
* * *
Xavier
I arrive at the clubhouse with Zach, my arms still wrapped around his waist as he guides the motorcycle to a stop.
The rumble of engines behind us announces his father and Liam pulling in, completing our escort.
My legs feel slightly wobbly as I dismount, a combination of adrenaline and the unfamiliarity of motorcycle travel.
The Devil Souls’ clubhouse isn’t what I expected.
From the outside, it’s an unassuming single-story building with reinforced windows and a large parking area already filling with motorcycles.
Men in leather cuts move with purpose, some carrying weapons openly, others speaking in hushed tones while scanning the perimeter.