Choosing to trust him, I didn’t press for answers.
The kids picked out some animated movie with monsters and settled in next to me and Bodie. Olivia was snuggled into my side. Rev sat next to Bodie and somehow got him involved in a popcorn tossing competition. It was kind of adorable. Most of the kernels ended up on the couch and floor instead of their mouths but both of them were laughing before it was over.
Watching them it became surreal how seamlessly Bodie could transition from normal moments like this to his biker lifestyle and the Reaper. Cool, calm, and affectionate one moment. Rough, deadly, and serious the next. He wasn’t the only one. All of the guys in the club seemed to be the same.
Olivia fell asleep before the movie was over and Rev’s head kept bobbing as he tried to catch himself and stay awake. Eventually they were both breathing evenly and out for the night. Bodie carried Rev upstairs and I followed with Olivia. She was a light little thing and not hard to lift at all. Once they were both tucked in, we tiptoed back downstairs and sank onto the couch together.
Bodie tugged me into his lap as my head rested on his shoulder. “You should get some rest.”
“Aren’t you?”
“I will but I’d feel better knowing you were comfortable first.”
“You’re too sweet to me,” I whispered with a yawn, ready to close my eyes.
“Sasha?”
“Hmmm?”
“I’ve got you, baby.”
“I know,” I assured him, sighing with contentment as he wrapped his arms tighter around me.
With Bodie near, I wasn’t afraid of anything.
I didn’t tell Sasha the truth.
Part of me felt bad for not revealing what I knew, but the rest of me understood it was better not to worry her about Chamuco. She didn’t have to take on that burden. That was why I was here. It was my fuckin’ job to protect my woman. Sometimes that meant she was left in the dark about the club, especially when our enemies chose to fuck with us.
When I found the motherfucker that killed that cat, he was going to be sorry. I was betting it wasn’t Chamuco. He sent someone to intimidate Sasha and probably enjoyed fucking up her apartment. I didn’t get the connection to the kids and worried Gina was somehow in over her head. I didn’t mention it to Sasha but the cat’s death was a clear message. They were in danger as much as Sasha.
My Reaper couldn’t wait to exact a little revenge. Those kids were devastated and their pet was never coming home. Was it better to tell them he was gone and give them closure or just wait it out until they realized he wasn’t coming back? Hell. I didn’t know shit about kids.
Flustered, I hugged Sasha closer. I’d let her deal with it. Women were better at this sort of thing, right?
I’d spent a restless night unable to sleep more than a couple of hours. The danger was far too close and with three vulnerable lives in my hands I couldn’t rest like my body needed. Patriot and Rael would take turns keeping watch between the two properties but I was too wound up. My mind wouldn’t stop focusing on Chamuco or the threat he was clearly issuing. A mistake he would spend the rest of his life paying for once I reaped his wretched soul.
Sasha’s phone started ringing and I gently shook her shoulder, caressing the side of her face before I placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Wake up, baby.”
She stirred and a small smile curled her full, sexy lips. “Morning.”
“Your phone keeps going off. Might be a good idea to check it.”
She sat up and stretched. “Okay.”
“I think you should try to get ahold of Gina too.”
Sasha tensed and I knew she was remembering last night. The phone began ringing again and she picked it up, swiping to answer. “Gina?”
Guess that was meant to be.
“Hey, babe. Need to ask a favor.”
I could hear Gina’s voice clearly since the house was so quiet.
“I’m glad you called. I’m with Rev and Liv. They lost Buttons and I came over to help search last night.”
“Oh no! Is he alright?”