The Reaper's Son

Chapter 1:

Prison. Gee never thought he'd end up back there. It wasn't shock that coursed through Coralyn's body. Numbing her senses and tuning out the world around her. Anger was more fitting. Old pops was sentenced to a 10 years in the joint. There was the possibility of early release on good behavior but let's face it, her father wasn't the most level headed man around.

Coralyn's dad had a rap sheet a mile long and now the cops had him back in their cuffs. Granted, she didn't blame him for what he did but come on, a girl needs at least one parent around. Her mother's murder was still a fresh wound. After four months her heart still felt as ripped open as it did the day it happened.

She watched as the officers led her dad out of the courtroom. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit with his ankles shackled together and his hands behind his back, he strode out of the room with his head held high. He hadn't even spared a glance in her direction but she didn't expect much else. Hurt and anger burned regardless. He'd been in holding for a few days before the trial. When she'd gone to visit him he had demanded that she not come to the trial. Gone was the imperfect but loving father Coralyn had grown up with. In his place was a stone wall.

Sighing, she rose and made her way out of the stuffy courthouse. Coralyn hadn't planned on being on her own at eighteen yet here she was. Well, not completely alone. She still had the club to rely on. Dad was the vice president in the Devil's Reapers MC and she had grown up around the clubhouse and the craziness that ensued. The club was part of the reason her mom was killed. There was a nasty rivalry between the Reapers and the Jackals MC. Mom was shot and now damn near the entire southern half of Oregon was at war. Dad just got nailed for blowing up the Jackals' clubhouse in retaliation. It was all a goddamn mess.

~~~

After running home to change out of her skirt suit and into a pair of ripped up jeans and clean t-shirt, Coralyn fired up her old square body Chevy truck again. The little 2 bedroom house she'd shared with her parents held too many memories to deal with at the moment. She'd head over to the one place that always felt like home. The old ladies at the clubhouse would be a good distraction from the day's events.

The prospect at the gate of the compound barely even blinked when she drove in. Her truck was a common sight around. The music was quieter than usual inside. Seems like the most of the members didn't feel like partying tonight. The old ladies were seated at their usual booth and talking loudly over the noise. A few members were sprawled out along the bar and around the pool table.

Coralyn headed over to the women. As some of her mother's best friends, they were good for the soul.

"Hey sweetie, how are you holding up?" Margie was the one who asked. As the resident queen, she took everyone under her wing. Her husband was Grim, the club president.  At 49, Margie was as tough as nails and not one to mess with.  Angie and her Aunt Rita accompanied her.

Coralyn slipped into the booth with the three women.  "I've been better.  What are you working on now?"

"Oh just a welcome home party for a certain son of mine."

Coralyn struggled to keep her composure.  Boone was coming home!  Her traitorous heart nearly leapt put of her chest.  The man had a permanent residence in her wet dreams.  At five years her senior, he was almost untouchable.  Almost.  His sexy as sin appearance had caught her eye years ago and she'd been waiting for him ever since.  Boone was an army ranger and currently deployed to classified areas of the world.  They'd flirt when he was home and write when he was deployed.  But he wouldn't touch her until she was of age.  It'd been eight months since his last visit home and she was dying to see him again.

"Really?  When is he coming home?"  She prided herself in keeping her voice from cracking but based on the twinkle in Margie's eye she started to second guess herself.

"He had just a minute to call me earlier today but he'll be home by Friday.  I want to throw a proper Reaper style party to welcome him back."  Only four days until she'd get to see him again.

Before Coralyn had a chance to reply, her uncle, Saws, marched over to their booth.  "Hey Princess, Grim needs to talk to you a minute."  The club had doted on her as she grew up amongst them and her childhood nickname still stuck.

Confused but not worried, Coralyn followed Saws into Grim's office.  It looked like Saws was taking over the VP position while her father was in prison.  The office was around the other side of the bar and tucked back into the corner.  Upon entering the room Coralyn wasn't surprised to bump into her father's lawyer on his way out.  The club had paid for his legal fees and the lawyer was one of a few on their payroll. 

She took a seat in front of the massive oak desk and waited.  "How are you holding up Princess?" asked Grim.

He got a shrug in return.  "I've been better."  Grim nodded as if agreeing with her words.

"I've got some bad news for ya.  Blowing up the Jackals didn't warn them off.  They're just extra pissed now and gearing for war.  It's no longer safe out there for you as Blaze's kid."  He paused and took a sip from the glass of whiskey in front of him.  "I'm sorry princess but we aren't going to be able to keep you alive and unharmed in this town.  Not without putting you under lockdown.  And I can't do that to ya kid.  You've got a bright future ahead of you and I ain't gonna let you get killed over some club shit.  You got accepted into that school on the east coast didn't ya?"

Coralyn nodded slowly, not liking where this was going.

"I'm gonna pull some strings wherever I've got to and you'll be going there to study until this all dies down."  Was that a ball of lead that just formed in her stomach?

After her high school graduation a few short weeks ago, Coralyn had planned to study at the local state school and stay close to home.  It was well past due to enroll in her classes at a new school but she had no doubt Grim would pull whatever strings he need to.  Tula, Oregon was all she'd ever known and now it felt like she was getting evicted.  "But I want to stay here.  This is home!  You can't make me leave!"

Grim dragged a massive palm across his face. "You have to, Princess.  For your own safety.  You don't have a father or a man to protect you right now.  It ain't forever, just till this shit settles.  I promised your father no harm would come to you."  Coralyn shrunk in upon herself as reality started to sink in.  "You'll be set up with a fake name and everything will be taken care of.  Your flight leaves Saturday afternoon.  Pack only what fits in a suitcase.  I'll give ya enough cash to buy a decent car and a few necessities once you get there."

"But..."

"No buts.  Your flight leaves Saturday."