This is so odd.
“Productive. Promise me you’ll call the moment Bishop is back with you and you’re safe.”
“I’m at the library, Preacher. Believe me, I’m safe.”
“O’Klaren went to the library.”
“O’Klaren hasn’t been around me, and I’m guessing I’ve got you to thank for that. Please, stop worrying. I’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. I promise.”
“It better be. I’ve got to go.”
“Stay safe.”
“Bye.”
She ended the call, putting the phone on the table in front of her.
I do not have feelings for Preacher.
I do not have feelings for Preacher.
It’s the hormones, and he’s been one of the nicest guys around.
It means nothing.
She was startled as someone took a seat beside her.
She recognized the man instantly as the one whom Preacher saw outside the diner.
He was large, imposing, and possessed more ink than Preacher. Some of them crawled up his neck. He had a shaved head, and she saw more ink there. His beard was short, and his eyes dark and deadly.
“Well, well, well, look what we have here?”
She looked around the library but didn’t see the librarian who’d been behind her desk. The place looked empty as if no one was around.
She didn’t like this.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she said, recognizing the patch for the rival club.
“Now, I know you. We’ve never been formally introduced.” He held his hand out. “I’m Reaper of the Slaves of the Beast MC, and you are Robin Rose Keats, formerly known as Robin Rose Riley. Nice name.”
He held his hand out, but she didn’t take it. For all she knew, this could be a trap, one she didn’t want to be set up in.
“I’m not surprised you didn’t take my hand. It wouldn’t look good on you to do such a thing. Talking with the enemy.”
“You’re clearly here for a reason. Tell me what message you want to give and get the hell out.”
She cried out as he gripped the back of her neck, pulling her forward.
“Listen to me, little girl. I don’t take lip from anyone, especially not a little snot like you.”
He pushed her back, hard.
She feared for her baby’s life. It was hard not to put a protective hand over her stomach. She kept her gaze on his, not backing down.
Her father had told her to never back down. She was club, and they weren’t weak. Every single part of her being screamed at her to run, but she stayed seated.
Reaper grabbed her cell phone.
He tutted. “Password protected. Clever girl.”
“You need to leave or it’s going to be a bloodbath.”
“I was just curious about the girl who has Preacher riding around all over town. You’re the first woman since his slut that he’s been connected to. There have been other women, but they’re a dime a dozen. None of them stand out.”
“I’m not with Preacher.”
“Really? You see, I don’t think that little lie is true. I think you and Preacher have another little secret. That baby inside you, that’s not Bishop’s.”
How did he know so much?
She cried out as he suddenly grabbed her arm, dragging her close.
“You mean a hell of a lot more than people want you to believe, but I wanted to get a sense of you, Robin. I can see you know jack shit, but that’s okay. You’re going to be just fine for what I want.”
She cried out as he grabbed her hair and pulled her head back.
Whatever he wanted, it wasn’t going to end well for her.
****
Preacher ended the call and smiled.
“Who’s the lucky lady?” Bear asked, lighting a cigarette as he made his way toward him.
He pocketed his cell phone and frowned. “Lucky lady?”
“You’ve got the look on your face of a guy soon going to get laid.”
Preacher’s brows rose. “That was Robin. She’s at the library on her own. I was checking to make sure she was okay. Randall called me. She needs to relax more, and between worrying about studying and being a first time mother, she is more prone to certain illnesses and concerns. He doesn’t want to alarm her, but he thinks it’s important she’s got someone close to her.”
“Oh, fuck, you’re not thinking of screwing my girl, are you?” Bear asked.
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to fuck, believe me.” He looked past Bear’s shoulder to where Milner hung upside down. Blood dripped from his body, and the sight alone, it made him really happy.
Between O’Klaren and Robin, he hadn’t been able to put all of his focus on this son of a bitch, and it annoyed him he’d nearly gotten away with shit.
“You know, a couple of the girls have been talking. You haven’t been near any of them, and they’ve been worried about you.”
“You need to stop listening to gossip.”
“Does this have to do with Robin?” Bear asked.
Preacher stared at his friend. Bear was the closest person he’d consider a friend, but right now, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with this bullshit from him.