She could feel Reaper’s steady gaze on her. And that made her even morenervous.
“As much as I hate to say this, you’re family to John, but he may not see it that way anymore. He could’ve just been using you as a safe place to hide out until he figured out his nextstep.”
Laura twisted her hands at her side, her anger and frustration winning out over her fear. She squared off with Reaper. “That’s notpossible.”
“Why not? You don’t know what they did to him. Hell, we don’t know what they did tohim.”
Through clenched teeth she said, “It’s not possible because Faith is his daughter. And he would die before hurting hisdaughter.”
* * *
Reaper slowly roseto his feet, his neutral expression fading. “What did yousay?”
Laura realized her mistake a second too late. Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut? Reaper closed the distance between them and she beat a hasty retreat behind the chair, using it as a shield. He stopped and scowled, as if her being afraid of him botheredhim.
“Laura, I need you to be completely honest with me. Is Faith your daughter or yourniece?”
She gripped the chair, hard, and said in a barely audible voice, “Niece.”
Reaper’s voice dropped low and menacing, “Did King know that this wholetime?”
Her chin wobbled. “No.” She lowered her gaze, unable to hold his. “I haven’t told him.” And now she didn’t know if she could. Their relationship had been tenuous before the hospital, if he found out she’d lied to him like that, whatever thread that was holding him to her would surely besevered.
“Thank God,” Reaper said under hisbreath.
That drew her attention. “Why do you say that? I lied to him, to all ofyou—”
Reaper raised a hand. “Yes, you did. But that’s not as bad as if King had put us all in jeopardy by lying to cover yourtracks.”
“How would that make a difference, if he knew ornot?”
“Because John Dawson might forget about a distant niece, but he won’t forget his daughter. He’ll come for her and it won’t be pretty. If King had kept that from me, it would have been to use the kid to lure Dawson and kill him.” Reaper crossed his massive arms and then scratched hischin.
Laura stumbled back a step. “I haven’t toldhim.”
“Could he have figured itout?”
Her heart felt like it fell to her toes and she shook her head quickly. “No. I don’t know. I haven’t told anyoneelse.”
But she and Faith had signed openly about it, could he have figured out what they weresaying?
“I need to go. Are we done?” Laura spit out, already walking to thedoor.
“Laura—”
It was her turn to hold up a hand. “I need to check on Faith.” She shoved through the door, her entire body trembling. Could King have been using her this whole time? She racked her mind for any hint of deceit, any sign of abetrayal.
She practically ran back to the kitchen, where Audra and Faith were eating. “Audra, can you watch Faith for a little bit longer? I need to findKing.”
Audra waved her on. “Sure thing! We wanted to go down to the gym anyway and work on sometumbling.”
Laura was already headed out the door. “Thanks!”
* * *
She foundhim in the bedroom wearing his usual black get up from head to toe, only now he had on a black Kevlar vest with pockets and was stuffing them with ammo. Laura sucked in a breath and stood frozen just inside the door. On the bed was laid out a multitude of weapons; pistols and rifles and grenades. “King, what are you doing?” Her words shook as she easedcloser.
He didn’t look up. He grabbed the pistol, checked the barrel and shoved it into a pocket. “Gettingready.”
