Reaper's Legacy(113)

I didn’t care about anything.

“I’m his mother. You have no rights. None. I let you see him because I’m a nice person, and I can stop being nice at any time. Do not f*ck with me, Ruger.”

He reached up and touched my face lightly, running his finger across my cheek. It sent shivers down my back, and just like that I wanted him.

“I won’t f*ck around,” he said. “Just so you know. I nearly lost you. I won’t risk that again. I told you before I’d never be a one-woman man, but I was wrong.”

I looked in his face, studying his eyes. He meant it. I thought about lying in bed with him … I wanted to give in. I wanted him.

It didn’t matter.

“Too late,” I said, and I meant it. “I’m done with you, and I’m f*cking serious. Get. Out. Of. My. House.”

He held my gaze, then the miracle happened.

Ruger listened.

He backed away, turned, and walked out of the house. I heard his bike roar to life outside and then the sound of him riding away.

I’d done it. I’d finally managed to put Ruger in his place. Unfortunately, I was too tired to enjoy it.

MONDAY



KIMBER: How u doing?

ME: Ok. Noah’s still kind of clingy. You did a good job but he was still scared. Thank you so much for taking care of him. Im so glad he was safe

KIMBER: That’s what friends do—u wud do it for me. I’ve been thinkng about u … U want to get together, maybe talk?

ME: No. Just want to lay low for a while

WEDNESDAY



MARIE: Hey Sophie! Me and Maggs and Dancer want to hang out tomorrow night … Want to join us?

ME: Thanks but probably not. You have fun

MARIE: Okay. How are you?

ME: Im fine

MARIE: You talked to Em?

ME: No. She ok?

MARIE: Not sure. She wont tell me anything. I’m worried … Did anythng happen we should know about? I mean, while you guys were … wherever? Maybe we can get together and talk

ME: Im fine, just want to stick to myself and Noah for a while. Em and I werent together the whole time. If you want to know more, you need to get it from her

MARIE: Okay. We’re worried about you too … How are things

ME: Fine. I just want space

MARIE: I get that. But please call if you need us ((hugs))

THURSDAY



DANCER: Hey. how goes it? Maybe we could let the kids play this afternoon?

ME: Um, we’re pretty busy right now.

DANCER: Know how that goes … Did you remember Maries bachelorette party? Its a week from Friday. We have a sitter, she offered to watch Noah too

ME: Not sure I’ll maek it. I’ll find my own sitter

DANCER: Okay. Don’t hide out too long

FRIDAY



KIMBER: This is bullshit. I get ur pissed at Ruger and Reapers but I’m not one of them, u can’t freeze me out. You guys come over tonight or I’m sending Ryan to get u

ME: Noah and I are watching movies at home

KIMBER: No. Ur coming to my house. We’re having a party. I need backup!!! NO Reapers. Nromal people. Kids too. U and Noah be here at six or I will come and get you. Not f*cking around.

ME: Your a pushy bitch

KIMBER: Ya think? Get ur ass here or I’ll come for u. No excuses. Bring swimsuits and a dessert

My brand-new iPhone said it was five fifty-six when we pulled up to Kimber’s house. Ruger had dropped it off the previous Sunday, the day after my little adventure with Em. I wanted to tell him to go to hell, but I needed a phone, and I figured he could afford it better than I could. I didn’t feel guilty about it, either. It was his fault I’d gotten kidnapped in the first place, so I might as well blame him for drowning my phone.

I didn’t let him into the house. Noah wanted to go to his house and I told him no. Then I shut the door in Ruger’s face.

Now it was Friday night and I’d caved to Kimber’s ultimatum, because I knew she was serious when she said they’d come and get me. I held a plate of brownies in one hand and a bag of swim gear in the other, and when Kimber’s husband, Ryan, opened the door, I had to smile. He wore neon-green swim trunks and a purple Hawaiian-print shirt. On his head was an orange cowboy hat, and he held a Super Soaker in one hand.

Coming here had been a good idea, I realized.

“Welcome to the party,” he said, smiling at me broadly.

“Nice look,” I said, eyeing his outfit.