Reaper (Shackled Sons MC: Sydney #1)

Chapter 1

Rowan

Thwack!

I was upright in seconds, my eyes darting around my bedroom for the source of the sound. My bedroom was, as it normally was, but the sound came again.

Pulling myself out of my bed, I opened my door, my heart was in my throat. I looked everywhere for Trey, but there was no one in the apartment.

Fuck, when did he ever wake up this early?

I looked over at the clock on the wall and noted that it was just past eight in the morning. Working at a bar all night, and into the early morning meant I liked to sleep in until early afternoon. Whoever the fuck was making that sound was going to cop it.

Thwack!

I turned to the door, where the sound was coming from, and noticed the splinters of wood on the ground.

Shit.

I scrambled backward, heading toward the kitchen to grab a knife. We’d never had a problem here before, it was a safe neighbourhood, but we all knew what happened when you lived in the Riff. Eventually, you got hurt.

The door was flung open with the next thwack, and three men piled in. I could have screamed if I wasn’t so filled with fear. I had no idea who they were, but when the fourth man came in, I knew exactly who was responsible.

Fucking Trey.

“Where is he, Ro?” Rafael, one of the meanest SOB’s that work for the Ironborne Crew, asked. He was in a pair of fine pants and a fitted button down shirt, looking like he just stepped off the set of a GQ magazine shoot. He’d be hot if he weren’t so connected to the damn Crew.

“Who?” I wagered a dare to see how far I could push him. He wasn’t known for his patience.

His smirk told me he wasn’t here to play which meant Trey was in deep. Fuck…I knew I should have talked to him about his particular addictions earlier. It had been a while, but still,

“He’s not here, Raf. Look for yourself.”

He motioned for his lugs to go and take a look around the apartment. They did, turning up as much as they possibly could. I winced as they broke chairs, pulled out drawers and let them smash to the floor.

“He’s in deep, Ro. Know where he is?”

“Obviously not. I didn’t even know he was gone until you guys came smashing in. Ever heard of knocking, Raf?”

“This isn’t a game, Rowan. My employers are pissed. He’s stepped out on over fifty grand of debt. And now it looks like he’s skipped, leaving you behind.”

A chill ran down my spine at his words. Raf and I went to school together. I’d known him for years, but I also knew how dangerous he was. Even though we were okay with each other, the fact that he was a loyal worker to the Ironborne dicks meant I was in danger.

Fucking Trey.

“Where’s your boyfriend, Ro?” he asked me, his voice low and level, but I could see he was on the edge of whatever crazy he was hired for.

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore,” I said.

I don’t even know why I said it. Although, if I were being honest, I didn’t see the point in pretending we were still a couple.

We were roommates, friends even, but it hadn’t been sexual in over a year.

That ship had sailed when his drinking had gotten bad. “I can pass your message along.”

Raf’s smirk had me on edge. I tried to keep my distance, but I knew it was useless.

“Give your boyfriend a message, Ro,” Raf said. “Tell him to pay up, or it won’t just be his life that is forfeit.”

“Threatening a MC prez’s son isn’t smart, Rafael,” I spat out. It was the only thing I had and if I were anything it was stupidly confident when facing danger.

“He’s not the one I’m threatening, Rowan.”

Yep, there goes yet another chill down my spine.

“Maybe you need a little lesson to show you just how serious we are.”

I used to think Raf was hot in school, but something about him had always been weird.

I could never imagine myself being with him, just that he was good looking.

When he started to date my best friend, Frankie, that had made me feel better, almost like I didn’t need to feel weird about thinking he was attractive which is so stupid.

He’d always had an edge about him, something deep and dark lurking beneath his almost black eyes.

He was the Ironborne’s most lethal guy for a reason. He had no heart.

“Boys, show her why it’s not smart to talk back to the Ironborne.”

I saw his men close in on me just as he exited the apartment, turning the corner and leaving me with the knowledge that I may not make it out of here.

“Not smart to piss the boss off, lady,” one of the lugs said as he advanced on me.

I put up as much fight as I could, but the second the first punch landed on my jaw, and I started to see stars, I knew I was done for.

Pain ricocheted through my jaw, and up into my brain.

A headache bloomed through my temples as the men all took turns, kicking me, smacking me around, threatening to rape me.

They didn’t.

Thank fuck.

When they left, laughter on their breaths, I could barely breathe or move. This was bad. I needed to get to my phone and call someone. I checked where my room was, and started to crawl toward it, even if my eyes were rolling, my vision was cloudy. I could get there. I was sure of it.

Just one arm in front of the other, as I crawled, pulling my battered body across my floor.

Fuck you, Trey. We were so fucking done.

Why would you leave me here to deal with this?

The second my hand landed on the phone, I dialled the ambulance and waited. I could taste the blood in my mouth, feel the pain all over my body, making it hard to move.

I was in fucking danger, and this was one hell of a way to show me that.

“I need help,” I said to the operator, before I told her my address. “Fast. I’ve been attacked by the Ironborne. They left me for dead. Please.”