“There are men outside who want you dead because you saved the wrong patient,” Reaper said bluntly.“They won’t stop, and I can’t protect you from the street.”
Her face drained of color.
“You’re ...you’re scaring me,” she said, voice trembling.
Good, a cruel part of him thought.Fear kept people alive.
“I know,” he replied, “but you can either come with me right now, or you can stay here and hope they don’t try again tonight.”
She hesitated, fingers white on the edge of the door.He could see the war playing out behind her eyes.Logic versus instinct.Fear versus trust.
“Are you ...are you one of them?”she asked.
Reaper didn’t flinch.“No.My name’s Reaper.I’m an enforcer for the Devil’s Crown MC.”
Chapter Four
Elena stared at him, her brain stuttering.Apart from the cartel, there was only one other group people in this town learned to be wary of early.One other name that carried weight, fear, and whispered stories that always ended badly.
Devil’s Crown MC.Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs.
“That’s ...that’s not funny,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction.“You can’t just say something like that and expect me to—”
“I’m not joking,” Reaper cut in.
Impatience edged his voice now, a sharpness that made her flinch.He stood just inside her apartment, broad shoulders nearly brushing the doorframe.Reaper didn’t look like a man asking permission.He looked like a man used to being obeyed.
“You need to come with me,” he continued.“Now.”
Elena shook her head, grounding herself by pressing her bare toes into the carpet.
“I don’t know you.You show up at my door in the middle of the night, tell me I’m in danger, and expect me to just ...leave?That’s insane,” Elena pointed out.
He tightened his jaw.“We don’t have time to argue,” Reaper said.
“Well, I don’t have time to be kidnapped either,” she shot back, fear spiking into something hot and defensive.“If you’re really with the Devil’s Crown MC, that doesn’t exactly make this better.”
