Dylan's Reaper: Soul Reapers #3

by Lowrance, J. D.

  “Stay behind me,” Sam said as he pushed his way past me and stood between the window and me. “Stay low.”

  “Ok,” I said as we both crouched down to the corner of the window. Sam continued to look out while I wedged myself between the wall and his hard body. Even as gunfire erupted all around us, all I could think about was Knox. How much I wanted him beside me. How much I wanted everything to be alright.

  I glanced around the room and saw Emma still covering Tru’s body. Even in death, her love for her best friend was evident. Logan, by her friend’s side as all hell broke loose. I knew Cam went into the kitchen to help Mica if he needed it. Ax and Lefty were guarding the back, while Woods watched the chaos from the other front window, prepared to be the roadblock that stopped anything from getting to the rest of us.

  Sam . . .

  I looked at my best friend. His muscles tight with the tension of what was happening around us. I knew without seeing that his eyes were taking everything in like they always did, waiting, watching for the moment to strike. Sam was like a cobra, lying in wait. Muscles coiled and at the ready to strike when it was the most advantageous to him. I knew I was safe with him by my side, but he was not the man I really wanted there. Not anymore.

  “You okay?” Sam turned his head slightly so he could see me and the action.

  “I am,” I answered truthfully.

  The time between gunfire grew longer. The roar of a few angry bikes could be heard until silence reigned. It built and built, filling the room with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife until there was a knock on the door.

  “Housekeeping. You want mint for your pillow?” Woods laughed, full blown belly laughed as he stood to answer the door.

  “Please go away let me sleep, for the love of God.” In his best Chris Farley impersonation.

  Knock knock. “Housekeeping. You want me to jerk you off?” The whole room now laughed as Woods opened the door, grabbing the man in the doorway in a giant bear hug.

  “Ryder, you son of a bitch! You are a sight for sore eyes.”

  “Was it the explosions or the Tommy Boy reference that gave me away?” Ryder joked as he walked through the door. Ryder was a mountain of a man with the stance of a solider. Even with the remnants of a fight clinging to him, he was a strikingly handsome older man. With eyes as green as moss, he surveyed the room taking it all in. “Sorry to hear about Tru.” His voice echoed. “Emma,” he said, walking over to her. She immediately stood and went into his arms. He bent over as he whispered in her ear. She nodded against his chest while he held her. “And you must be Dylan.” Ryder’s green eyes now on me.

  “Yes.” My cheeks blushed under his attentive gaze.

  “Wesson speaks of you often.” The thought that my dad talked about me made me smile. “And I can see why Knox is so taken with you.” That thought warmed me from the inside out.

  “How did you know we were in trouble?” Lefty asked.

  “Wesson called a few days ago and asked us to stay in Blackberry, putting us about an hour away. He called right as your brothers headed out, and he called again when he needed us here. The club felt pretty awful the ways things were left after we took your girls,” Ryder said looking at Logan and Cam. “Sorry about that ladies. Things would have been done differently if we had known. But they weren’t and Wesson called in his favor.”

  “I can’t say thank you enough,” Woods said as we all agreed.

  “We’ll stick around for a day or two to make things right before we head off again. The ladies should stay inside while we go clean up. Hopefully the rest of the Reapers will be back soon.”

  “Have you heard from them? Are they okay?” I asked, needing to know if Knox, Colton, or Wesson were hurt.

  “That’s not for me say ma’am,” replied Ryder as he did a quick nod before turning and walking out the door.

  “Don’t worry,” murmured Sam. “Everything will be ok.” I nodded as I looked back to Emma, seeing the heartbreak on her face as Lefty pulled a sheet over Tru.

  “God, I hope so.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Dylan

  Lost.

  Gone.

  Dead.

  All four letter words. All words used to help describe when someone was no longer with you. But they did not even come close to the emptiness you felt at having to live with them. The utter heartbreak that followed or the loneliness that threatened to pull you under. I sat in the same spot I had for the forty-eight hours as those words swam in my head and those feelings drowned my heart. I dared not move for fear of missing something.

  Coma, a four letter word.

  Knox was stuck in one. Trauma to the head and a gunshot wound to his shoulder put his body in recovery mode as it shut down as much as it could to keep him alive, and now it stayed there as it tried to recuperate. The doctors all said it was normal for the mind to hibernate as the body recovered, but it did not stop the concern for anyone that loved him. Knox had flat-lined twice the night he was brought into the hospital, one that was four hours away from home. The Reapers took a chance in not taking him immediately to a hospital when they found him, wanting to put distance between the compound and as many questions as they could.

  And from the little that I was able to get out of Colton, it was a cluster fuck. Tricia had warned the Hellhounds so they knew the Reapers were coming, but Trigger had never been able to let them know of the plan, so when the diversion started, it had worked like it was supposed to. It drew the attention away from where the real work needed to be done, according to Colton. He said the threat was eliminated and left it at that.

  Knox was being called a hero for getting that third blast off and setting everything into motion. I called Colton the hero as he was the one who shot Trigger right before he unloaded into Knox. Because of Colton, Knox only got shot in the shoulder instead of square in the chest. Trigger lay dead in that field instead of Knox.

  So now we wait, and wait, and wait until Knox decides he is ready to join the living again or his brain shuts down completely. The doctors were optimistic that he would recover, and that he just needed time. One thing I would crave to take away, to make this journey shorter and less painful for me and the club. The brothers took shifts between the clubhouse and the hospital. They were trying to wait to bury Rabbit and Tru, but today was the funeral for both.

  Poor Emma and Heart. My heart broke for them as I sat in constant vigil over Knox. I had talked to Emma on the phone and she told me to stay where I was. She wanted me here in case he woke up. Ever the nurse, she instructed me to talk to him. I had not done it yet, because there were always so many people in the room. But now I was alone.

  “Hey handsome.” My voice loud even with the constant hum of the machines. “It’s me, Princess. I am here all by myself today, because all your brothers went to celebrate the lives of your fallen brethren. If you wake up now we could still make the party.” I waited, willing him to wake up.

  “Please Knox. I miss you so much. Please wake up.” Just the beep of the machines answered me.

  No response. I could feel the tears building as they always did when I thought too much about what was happening. Even though I wanted this life, I realized more every day that I only wanted it with Knox. Nothing else would do. I knew that nothing but an awake Knox would satisfy the ache in my heart. Knowing I had to try, I crawled into bed with Knox hoping our contact would get him to wake up. Being extra careful of his wires and cords that sustained his life, I curled around his body. Sleep claimed me quickly as I prayed to God that he would grant me this one last wish.

  A soft touch woke me some time later. My eyes jerked open and looked at Knox’s face to find it still as peaceful and quiet as when I fell asleep. I sighed in resignation to more time without him.

  “The doctor is about to come in honey. You need to be out of the bed,” the older nurse said.

  “Ok, thanks.” I jumped down and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up, giving the doctor time
to check him out. When I came out a little while later I was alone once again.

  “Let’s try this again,” I whispered aloud.

  “Hey handsome.” I could already feel the tears trying to choke me. “It’s me, Princess. I am here all by myself today, because all your brothers went to celebrate the lives of your fallen brethren. If you wake up now we could still make the party.” Still no response. I checked his face, his hands, his body, willing him to move the smallest of inches.

  “Please Knox,” I begged. “I miss you so much. Please wake up.” Another check and still nothing.

  “I love you,” I said, leaning over him. I brushed my lips against his forehead. “I am still yours. Even if you don’t want me.”

  “I’ll always want you.” The lack of use making his voice gruff and dry.

  “Oh my God. Knox” I cried, laying kisses all over his face.

  “Princess,” he croaked.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just . . . you’re awake.” Tears streamed down my face.

  I tried to move away but his hand on my arm stopped me. “Say it again.” I leaned my forehead against his. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath.

  “I’m yours,” I whispered. Knox nodded and hummed in agreement. His arms moved from my arm to the back of my neck. “I love you.” His lips rough as they claimed mine, branding me his once again.

  “Love you too Princess.”

  Knox

  My eyes were still blurry, but I could still make out my princess. All dark flowing hair and beautiful face. Her skin soft under my fingertips as I pulled her towards me pressing my lips to hers. Her scent surrounded me as I took a deep breath, enjoying the feel of her against me.

  “Love you too Princess.” And I did love her. It was only solidified when I woke up to find my princess by my side, telling me she was mine. Our lips came together again as our bodies pressed together. Mine woke up a little more with each press of our lips and touch of our bodies.

  “What happened?” I asked when we finally came up for air.

  “Trigger happened.” With those two words the scene outside of the Hellhounds’ compound came back to me. “Shit, that fucker.” Beeps filled the room as my heart rate soared just remembering his betrayal. A nurse rushed into the room shocked to see me awake.

  “Don’t move. I’ll get a doctor,” she yelled as she ran back out the door.

  “Don’t plan on it.” I smirked, pulling Dylan back down against me.

  “You need to rest.” She turned her head at the last moment so my lips connected with her cheek instead of those pouty lips I loved so much. I was close to begging when the doctor came into the room.

  “Mr. Montgomery. Glad to see you awake and already enjoying life.” Dylan ever-so-gently extracted herself from me as the doctor came to stand next to me.

  “I’m going to go call Colton,” she said, leaving me alone with the doctor.

  “How are you feeling?” He looked giddy as a school girl over the fact that I was awake.

  “Water.”

  “Yes of course.” The doctor rushed over to the side table to pour me a glass of water. After a few, good gulps, I handed the glass back to him.

  “I feel good. Tired, but good.”

  “Excellent. We will have to run a few tests over the next couple of days to see where you are physically, mentally, but we do expect you to make a full recovery.”

  “How long do I need to stay?”

  “That’s a good question. The tests and how you react to the treatment will determine how long you will stay with us. You may even need therapy once you leave, but that will all be determined soon enough.”

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  “Excellent. Well I am going to put the tests in and also order something to help you sleep as your body is still recovering. No more, shall we say, excitement until you have more fully recovered.”

  I chuckled, looking at the door as Princess walked back through it. “Understood doc.”

  “Excellent. I will check back in soon.” With that, he excused himself leaving me and Dylan alone again.

  “Hey handsome.” Pulling a chair up next to the bed, Dylan took my hand and sat down.

  “What did Colton say?”

  “A group of brothers are on their way right now. Everyone is really excited to see you.”

  “What called them away?” I knew there was a reason no brothers were here. They would have been here unless something else needed their attention.

  “Rabbit and Tru’s funerals were today.” Her eyes filled with tears that she quickly tried to wipe away.

  “How long have I been out?” I turned my hand over so we could lace our fingers together.

  “Two days. They wanted to wait, but Emma and Heart needed this to happen. Heart has been a mess. Emma and Amber took the boys and left the clubhouse.”

  “I understand.” And I did, but it hurt to know that I was not there to help lay them to rest.

  “I love you,” she said pulling my attention back to her.

  “I love you too.” I smiled when her face lit up.

  “I am so happy to hear you say it back. I am really sorry Knox. I never meant to hurt you or have you think that I wanted anyone but you.”

  “I know. It just can’t happen again.”

  “And it won’t. I promise.” Dylan turned my hand over and kissed the back of it.

  The nurse came in immediately after and fed me some really good shit as I slowly drifted off with a smile on my face at the thought that Dylan was by my side and would remain there forever because she was mine and I was hers.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Knox

  As my strength grew over the next couple of days so did my love for Dylan. She was a constant by my bedside. Eventually I grew strong enough for her to join me in bed every night. The nurses scolded us the first two nights, but eventually gave up as I felt stronger each morning with her by my side. My brothers visited nonstop, updating me on the cleanup at the clubhouse.

  I was furious that I had not been there when the Demons attacked, but grateful to the Iron Knights for doing what needed to be done. The Night Demons were not as strong as we had all thought. Lucifer could not keep brothers and most had moved on to other chapters or became nomads. So when they attacked, their numbers were much smaller than anyone thought. So with the help of Ax and Sam, Woods, Mica, Tru, and Lefty were able to keep them at bay long enough until the Knights arrived.

  Ax was given the option of leaving or remaining a prospect. He decided to remain a prospect. Even lying in a hospital bed, four hours away from the clubhouse I knew he would be a brother real soon. He stood tall at a time when the club needed him. A man could not be judged by who he knew in the past, but how he acted in the present. And he acted like a true Soul Reaper. I would definitely push for him being a brother once I was back to being one hundred percent.

  And Sam. He literally vanished into thin air, taking Tricia with him. Woods told us that during clean-up on the first day, Sam was there one minute and the next they were both gone. I figured Sam would make the most of the chaos and Dylan said she expected as much, murmuring about a cobra striking, but I just left it at that. But I never thought he would drag Tricia along with him. Good riddance to fucking bad rubbish!

  Trigger really fucked us over, and me in particular, when he decided to turn against us. He had been feeding the Hellhounds information ever since the meet and greet between the three clubs back when the Reed sisters were taken. The battle plan worked as well as could be expected considering the Hellhounds knew we were coming. The diversion did its job, allowing Whistler’s team to slip in unnoticed. They planted the explosives in their garage. When they went off the Hellhounds scattered like leaves in the wind. Gunner took out everyone he could put a scope on, but a few still got away. Colton personally combed through that compound until he found Crazy Z hiding like a rat in a hole. Three shots to the head, one for Logan, one for Campbell, and one for Dylan put an end to the
Hellhounds.

  Speaking of the Hellhound killer, in walked Colton followed by a giggling nurse. I chuckled at his eye roll as she asked him a stupid question about one of his tattoos. I outright laughed as she tried to touch it and Colton jumped back about ten feet to avoid her.

  “Time to go,” Colton said as he pushed the wheelchair over to me.

  “Let’s do this,” I said, sitting in the chair.

  I had been dying to leave since Princess left last night. I just wanted to be alone with her in our bed night after night with no more nurses, or brothers dropping in at all hours. Just us - alone. And tonight was the night. I was finally released after a week in the hospital. My doctors had cleared me this morning. I was not ready for my bike yet, so I rode shotgun in the truck with a full motorcade escorting me home. The open road called to me as the rumble of the bikes surrounded me, making me dream of the day when it would be under me.

  Dylan had gone home last night, the only night we had been apart since I came out of the coma. My body craved contact with hers, making the four hour trip home seem like forever. When we finally pulled into the clubhouse I was shocked at how different it looked from all the damage the Night Demons had inflicted, but also how much it felt like home. With the Hellhounds decimated and the Night Demons scattered and on the run, we could finally lay our losses to rest. The war was over!

  As I walked into the clubhouse, everyone yelled “surprise.” A banner hung from the rafters as everyone sang, “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” I laughed as Princess ran into my arms, truly welcoming me home.

  “I missed you,” she whispered into my ear before taking a small nibble.

  “Me too Princess.”

  “Get a room.” Someone yelled from the across the room.

  “Gladly,” I joked as the whole room laughed with me.

  “You are so bad.” Dylan teased poking me in the chest.

  “And you are so mine.” My lips lingered on hers until she finally squirmed out of my hold. I relinquished knowing she would be stuck there for hours once I got her alone.