Page 39 of Down & Dirty: Reaper

“That’s why I asked if Ledger was here.” That part wasn’t so subtle.

“Doin’ my best to be a good dad, get and keep my shit straight.”

“I see that. I’m sure Kyra appreciates the effort you’re putting in.” Ever since Kyra came back to town with Ledger, even Reaper saw a huge difference.

“Yeah,” Zeke murmured and then took another hit off the pre-rolled. The smoke rolled out of his mouth when he said, “She probably ain’t the only one.”

That was for damn sure. Finding out he had a son and a second chance with his woman definitely was the slap upside the head Zeke needed. He’d also heard T-Bone, Grim, and Ghost talking about Zeke and how he was finally stepping up as the club president.

“Got the only family you need now.”

The pride in Zeke’s voice was unmistakable. Despite being an asshole, it was clear he loved his club and his family, both by blood and by bond.

And Reaper was now a part of that. “Proof that blood isn’t always thicker than water. After joining Vi’s team, I saw what a strong family the DAMC is. I wanted that.”

“Was that why she was pushin’ for you to get patched in?”

“She doesn’t know much about my background.” He hadn’t shared his family shit with her. If she asked, he wouldn’t lie but he also wasn’t going to volunteer that info.

Zeke snorted. “You don’t think they didn’t run some pretty fuckin’ extensive background checks on you?”

“That wouldn’t bring up what a raging motherfucker my father was.”

Zeke made a noise deep within his throat. “Yeah, if you didn’t act out and do stupid shit that would cause you to end up in juvie, she might not know.”

“If she knew, she’d have brought it up. She’s certainly not afraid of speaking her mind.”

“She’s a pain in the fuckin’ ass.”

Pot meet kettle. “That’s why you two get along so damn well.”

Zeke chuckled. “Ain’t gonna fuckin’ argue that.”

Most likely because there wasn’t an argument to be had in that regard.

“Any updates on what’s happenin’ with our problem?” Zeke blew out a long stream of smoke before offering the joint to Reaper.

He shook his head. He didn’t partake since he liked to keep a clear head. One or two beers was usually his limit. Good thing the club frowned upon their members doing hard drugs. Whether they did them when no one was looking, it was hard to say.

But he also appreciated the fact that smoking dope or drinking until one blacked out wasn’t a requirement to belong to the club.

“You’ll have to talk to Vi about that. I’m just a grunt.”

“Bet there’s some gruntin’ goin’ on.”

Reaper twisted his head to stare at Zeke, who didn’t bother to hide his amusement. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“Means nothin’ gets unnoticed in this club, in this family, or, hell, in this town.”

Reaper kept his expression locked down. He owed loyalty to Vi and the Shadows but now that he was a part of the DAMC, he owed it to his president as well, so he had to choose his words carefully.

Or better yet, not respond at all.

“Also means you’re fucked if those rumors hit the ears of that man over there.” Zeke jerked his chin over at Vi’s beast of a father, where he stood surveying the courtyard with a thick, tattooed arm flung over Jewel’s shoulders.

Even decades later, he still proudly claimed his woman in front of the world.

“She’s thirty-one and is more than capable of making her own decisions.”