Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“You called her our girl,” Robin said.
“That’s who Bethany is, she’s ours.”
They walked to a small park. Several people were already enjoying lunch.
A couple of the prospects had set up a small picnic and were waiting for him to arrive. He thanked them, letting them leave so he could have this time with Robin.
After putting the brake on the stroller, he grabbed Bethany, holding her in his arms as he sat down in front of Robin.
“It’s nice to see you holding her,” she said. “I was worried you wouldn’t be able to.”
“She’s part of you and I love all of you, so I guess I get to love her as well.” He smiled at her. “This isn’t just a date, Robin, this is something more.”
“It is?”
“Yes, I know I haven’t been very forthcoming in my reasonings here, and you have to understand I don’t want you to end up with Reaper. He’s not right for you.”
“He’s still Bethany’s dad.”
“I know. But I want to know what happened to you just before you landed in the hospital where Randall was treating you. You’re saying Reaper isn’t responsible for your shattered foot or broken wrist. I know what I saw, and I want to know how it happened.”
It was the one thing they hadn’t discussed. He didn’t know if it was because of her fear or down to Reaper, or even the revelation of her marriage and Bethany. Either way, he had questions and she was the only one he wanted answers from. Reaper had his own agenda and there was no way he could trust him.
“That time is a little fuzzy. Reaper, he’d gone to the store and he’d taken Bethany with him. I don’t know how this group of men found me. Apparently, Reaper owed them a lot of money and they’d been tailing him, I don’t know. It’s all a little blurry. The details, I mean. They knew where he lived and when they knocked down the door, I wasn’t expecting it. I remember getting hit around the face.” She touched her cheek. “On the way down, I hit the counter’s edge. It’s probably where I banged my head, and then everything went dark. I don’t know. I woke up in a cage. Chained to a wall.”
She went white as a ghost and Preacher reached out, taking her hand. He needed all these answers even if they did bring back terrible memories.
“It was the most awful experience of my life. I don’t…” She stopped and pulled away. She drew her knees up, closing herself off. “I try not to think about it.”
“It’s fine.”
“Why do you want to know about them?”
“When you were in the hospital, I thought Reaper was the one responsible for you being the way you were. The beatings. Then I’ve since learned he had nothing to do with it, and there was even a chance you were trying to run back to him when you got ran down.”
“The men are still out there?”
“Yes. I’ve spoken to Billy. If there are any details you can remember, anything specific, he’s got an artist who can draw the men. I want to know who they are, and I want to hurt them.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“No, it’s not. I need to know those men won’t come back and hurt you again. I’ve got to take care of them, Robin. You know this. Do you have any little details at all? Anything you remember?”
Tears were in her eyes and he felt like a bastard for making her relive it all again. This wasn’t what he wanted to do, but he couldn’t help but think about the men who took her, who hurt her. If he couldn’t make Reaper pay, then he’d find someone who could pay the price.
“Then I’ll do it, for you. I know this means a lot to you.”
“I’ve got to do something to make you safe.”
“Reaper never found them?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked him.”
“Maybe I could. It would be easier. That way, you don’t have to have any contact with him. I don’t want to keep causing you pain.”
“I need to know if you love him, Robin. It’s something I need to know.” He stared at her, waiting, and she didn’t speak right away.
“I … my feelings are all messed up right now. I can’t think straight. I know that’s not an answer and I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to say to make you feel better.”
“This isn’t about making me feel better. Tell me about what happened,” he said. At least he’d be able to not think about all the horrible things she was going through if he could focus on killing.
If Reaper hadn’t taken care of the men, then he would.
****
The night Robin was taken from Reaper
“I don’t want to leave,” Reaper said.
“Then don’t. I’ve got no reason for you to go and you can stay. We’ve got enough food to last us. Who says you have to leave?” Robin grabbed his arm and kissed him deeply.