Grim stood in front of Acid. “We finally meet again, Acid.”
Acid’s jaw dropped open. “What the fuck are you?”
“Your worst nightmare,” Grim announced.
I was so busy watching him that I didn’t notice Dawg approaching. He shoved me up against the wall and his hands circled my throat.
“You’re gonna die for what you did to me, bitch.”
My nails dug into the flesh of his wrists as he increased his hold. Dark spots filled my vision as I gasped and tried to suck in air for my aching lungs. The will to survive kicked in and I fought him as hard as I could, but he didn’t release me. As I started to pass out, I saw Grim’s determined expression mixed with the horror of walking death.
My life was a nightmare . . . and it was never going to end.
***
Warm, soft lips pressed to my cheek as I regained consciousness. “I’m here, Trish. I’m always here, angel. Always.”
“Grim?” I croaked. My throat was sore and felt like it was on fire. Similar to that time I had really bad strep throat as a kid.
“I’m sorry you were injured, and I didn’t reach you in time.”
“Okay,” I rasped, not knowing what else to say.
His gray eyes were haunted as I dared to look into them. He didn’t resemble that dark monster I’d seen during Dawg’s attack. This was normal Grim. The handsome biker I knew.
“I suppose you have a lot of questions.”
I nodded.
“It’s a lot to explain.” His hand reached for mine and rubbed circles into the flesh. “I know I scared you and I didn’t mean to do that. When I knew you were kidnapped, I lost my shit. I don’t want to lose you, not after all we’ve been through.”
That still didn’t answer my questions.
“What are you?”
“A Reaper. I harvest souls for the devil and hell.”
Blink. Blink.
“I don’t know what to say. Are you alive? Half dead?”
“Alive. Completely, baby. I’m the man I always have been. I just become something more when I have to take care of the bad guys.”
That was simple enough. Although I knew there was much more to it.
“I’m afraid of that part of you,” I managed to choke out. My hands rose to my throat and I winced.
“No more talking. You need to rest.” Grim lean
ed down and kissed my forehead. “Dawg, Acid, and Zook are gone. They’ll never harm anyone else again. I want you to know that.”
I squeezed his hand in acknowledgement.
“This is hard to comprehend. I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t know how you would react to the truth.” Grim walked to the door and then turned. “I hope you’ll think this over before you decide what you’re going to do next. If I have any say, I still want to be with you, Trish.”
His words stabbed my heart with their intensity and pain.
I loved Grim but I couldn’t handle anymore. MC life had nearly killed me. I was almost destroyed and finally finding my way back. I needed space and I had no idea how long it was going to take to find the person I used to be, to fix her, and to be the woman I knew I wanted to emerge from all the trauma.