Reaper's Fire

After what felt like forever, the tears dried up, and I found myself leaning against his shoulder, wondering how I was going to get everything taken care of and still keep my business up and running and—no. I’d had one breakdown already, that was enough. Just because it was all too much for one person to handle didn’t change a damned thing, so I’d find a way.

I always did, because Garretts are tough.

Dad taught me that, back when he’d been the one taking care of me. Now it was my turn, just like Cooper said. He ran his fingers through my hair gently, and I settled in, feeling better. Nothing like a good cry, I guess.

“Does this mean we can have a truce?” he asked, chest rumbling against my cheek.

“Sure,” I said, because once your dad points a shotgun at a guy, it gets harder to justify a grudge.

“Just tell me this—are you really going to Seattle because you need to use your kitchen equipment, or are you running scared from something? Because I can protect you, babe. I promise.”

Talia’s face popped into my head. Mostly that weird expression she’d worn when she poked her big knife at me. She’d meant every word she’d said, that much I believed.

Cooper was her man.

It didn’t matter how sweet he was being right now, I realized, because he had divided loyalties—at the end of the day, a man’s gonna side with the woman sucking his dick. This is reality.

“I need the equipment,” I said, reminding myself that it wasn’t a lie. I really did, seeing as his bitch of a girlfriend ruined a week’s worth of work in one tantrum. “Not only that, I need to talk to Brandon and find some kind of specialist to check out my dad.”

Cooper stiffened.

“Brandon?” he asked slowly. “You mean, you need to talk to him about finalizing the divorce.”

“Tinker, I’m out of shampoo,” my dad said from behind us, and I pushed off Cooper’s lap abruptly, feeling weirdly guilty. “Other than that, I’m all ready to go. Hey, Cooper. Good to see you.”

Wow. He had no memory of threatening Cooper.

None.

Damn.

“We were just going over some stuff for the building before you leave on your trip,” Cooper said. Dad smirked.

“I’m old, not stupid,” he replied, laughing. A knife twisted in my gut, because Dad was the strong one. He took care of things, and whenever something was really wrong, he fixed it.

This. Sucked.

“Guess you caught us,” Cooper replied lightly. “I was just heading out, though. Tinker, you need help loading anything?”

“No, we’re fine,” I told him. “You can text if anything comes up. Dad, we need to pick up Randi soon, so go throw your stuff in Carrie’s Suburban, all right? She’s letting me borrow it.”

“Sure thing, baby,” he said, smiling at me fondly. “It’ll be fun, taking a road trip together. Just like when you were a little girl. I know you’ll be busy with work, but maybe we can go up the Space Needle while we’re there.”

“That’d be great, Dad,” I said, sighing. “I love you. I hope you know how much.”

He gave me a funny look. “Love you too, baby. Forever and ever.”

GAGE

Guess I wasn’t the only one with a complicated life. I’d started working on the roof again, but my mind was racing. The situation with Tinker’s dad wasn’t good, but there was definitely more going on here.

Talia. Had to be.

I debated calling Picnic to discuss my options, but decided I needed more information first.

Tinker and her dad pulled out around four that afternoon. Marsh texted me at five, asking if I’d meet him out at the Nighthawks’ clubhouse that evening. Apparently he had “business” to discuss, which was a good sign. The sooner we got his shit sorted, the sooner I could end this fucking farce with Talia.

Taking a fast shower, I rode downtown to grab some dinner down at Jack’s Roadhouse. I figured I’d grab a burger and collect any available gossip before heading out to the clubhouse. That was the best—and worst—thing about a town like this. People stuck their noses in their neighbors’ business.

I’d just passed the old library when a cherry red Mustang jetted past, going in the opposite direction. Then I heard the squeal of tires and the roar of an engine as I watched the driver pull a U-turn, coming right at me. What the fuck? She was honking the horn and flashing the lights, obviously trying to flag me down. I realized it was Carrie, Tinker’s best friend. They must’ve swapped vehicles, which explained the SUV she’d been driving.

Pulling over, I swung off the bike and walked over to her, wondering what the hell was going on. Jesus, it’d been only a couple hours—hardly enough time for something else to go wrong.

Carrie ripped open the Mustang’s door, marching toward me with fury written all over her face. Seeing as she was about a foot shorter than me and close to a hundred pounds lighter, she came off more like an angry pixie than a true threat, but the rage in her eyes . . . that was definitely full-size.

“You!” she snarled, stepping into my space and poking her finger right into my chest. I stared down at it, wondering whether she had the slightest clue how easy it’d be for me to snap it off. “You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve, asshole.”

“Hard to argue with that,” I said casually. “But you’re gonna have to narrow it down a little. What’d I do this time?”

“Your girlfriend threatened Tinker with a fucking knife this morning,” she snarled. “Said she’d cut her if she didn’t stay away from you, and then she destroyed an entire week’s work of chocolates. Now Tinker has to go to Seattle and try to make up those orders before she loses all her clients. I don’t know what sick games you’re playing with Talia Jackson, and I don’t care. Tinker’s my girl, and I’m gonna protect her. We clear?”

Jesus. I’d suspected Tinker wasn’t telling me the whole truth, but hearing it was something else. Sudden, furious rage filled me, because Talia had stepped over the motherfucking line and there was no going back. Something dark must’ve shown in my expression—Carrie’s face faltered, and she took a step back.

“When did this happen?” I snapped out. “Tell me. All of it.”