Chapter 47
Reaper
Holding her like that, close enough to hear her breath and feel the rise and fall of her chest, I felt the edges of my control slipping.
I wanted to protect her, keep her safe from everything that had already broken us both.
The harder I tried to keep her at arm’s length, the more she burrowed under my skin.
I both hated and loved that she was falling for me, scared because I wasn’t the hero she deserved. Caleb’s ghost lingered in the back of my mind, a reminder of what I hadn’t saved, of what I’d lost. Of the promises I’d made to him and hadn’t kept.
I wanted to tell her everything, the guilt, the fear, the way my chest tightened when she looked at me, but the words stayed locked. Instead, I held her.
Damn it, Lucy. You are the only thing I can’t walk away from.
The clubhouse was heavy with quiet urgency.
Brothers circled the table, eyes sharp, ready for orders.
Riot leaned against the door, arms crossed, while Keno sat calm, scanning every face.
A few of the others exchanged glances, subtle smirks or raised eyebrows, but said nothing.
They knew enough to keep their mouths shut.
I turned to Lucy. She straightened in her chair, chin high, but I caught the flicker of tension in her hands, the slight tremor as she gripped the table’s edge.
I slid my fingers over her knee under the table.
A silent promise: I’ve got you. She met my gaze and held it, lips pressing together in a way that made my chest tighten.
I cleared my throat. “We’re past talkin’ defence and small hits. The Fangs took Lucy, killed Caleb and Boxer, Diesel too. They think they can walk into our territory and make us look weak. They’re wrong.”
Her eyes blazed, tempered with caution, but she was ready. She gave me a quick, almost imperceptible nod. We’re in this together.
“We’re going on offense. Full throttle.”
I laid out the plan: gather intel, take their supplies, starve them out. Every step planned thoroughly. I kept glancing at her, noting the way her fingers tapped lightly on the table, the subtle way she mirrored my posture. I let my hand brush hers again, lingering a beat longer.
“While the main crew tears down the compound,” I continued, “a smaller team goes in quiet. Me, Keno, Riot, and Link.”
Riot cracked his knuckles. “I like the sound of that.” He glanced at us, caught the flicker of understanding but smirked and looked away.
“Lucy is going to try to get us more intel.”
Link added, “Divide and conquer. Hit hard, hit smart.” His eyes flicked towards Lucy then back to the table.
“We’re not just reclaiming what’s ours,” I said, “we’re sending a message. Anyone who betrays the Dead Knights or crosses us will pay.”
I let the silence linger, letting my gaze stay locked on hers. She leaned slightly forward, shoulder brushing mine. Enough for her warmth to seep in, unnoticed by anyone else. She didn’t pull away. I didn’t want her to.
I stole one more glance at Lucy. Fire flickered in her eyes, tempered with resolve. My fingers brushed hers one last time under the table. She held my gaze, steady. For a heartbeat, the tension between us was alive, raw, and unspoken.
Whatever came next, it wasn’t simply about territory. It was about trust, survival, and the tether that bound us tighter than any war could sever. Even there, in the thick of planning and danger, the quiet, stolen touches reminded me what I was fighting for and why I couldn’t let go.