At first he thought they were there to visit, until he saw Calder walk in behind them.
From Diamond’s troubled face, whatever she had to discuss with him wasn’t going to be good news. The fact she hadn’t texted him and she brought Knox and Calder made it clear she felt he was going to react badly to whatever she was going to say.
Reaper changed his direction without pausing to greet them. “Let’s go to my room.”
Going up the stairs, he was conscious of Viper’s and Winter’s eyes on them. When Viper was about to stand, Reaper shook his head. He didn’t need another audience to witness what Diamond had plainly felt like she need reinforcements to discuss.
Opening his bedroom door to let Diamond enter, he saw Knox hang back, letting Calder go first while he remained in the hall. That had Reaper’s gut clenching.
“Does Diamond think I’m going to flip out on her?”
Just minutes before he worried he would lose it in the kitchen. He might walk a tightrope between sanity and insanity, but he would take his own ass out before he’d hurt a woman again.
Knox looked through the doorway to his wife’s purpose-filled features. “Diamond’s not afraid you’re going to hurt her. She just wanted me here in case you have any questions she can’t answer. I’ll wait here.”
Reaper gave him a curt nod before heading inside his bedroom and shutting the door. He motioned toward the sitting area that had a small couch and chair. Diamond and Calder both sat on the couch and Reaper took the chair.
“You usually call.” Reaper gave Diamond a piercing stare.
“Moon texted Knox that you packed your saddlebags. I didn’t know how long you were planning on being away, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to give you the information I discovered.”
His jaw clenched at the revelation. “It’s nice to know the brothers are watching every move I make.”
“You know that’s not true.” Traces of anger filtered through the business-like tone she usually used with him. “I did try to call this morning, but you didn’t answer. When you didn’t, I asked Knox to find out where you were so I wouldn’t waste a trip out here. I do have other clients.”
Taking out his cell phone, Reaper saw the missed call. His lips tightened at the realization he missed the call when he was talking to Ginny.
“Calder just so happened to be there when you decided to come here?”
“No, I called him last night,” she admitted. “I know he is the only one who you’re willing to discuss your dependency problem with and, frankly, I wanted him here for you in case you need him.”
“Ah … I see. You’re not afraid I’ll hurt you because of what you’re going to tell me; you’re worried I’ll backslide in my recovery.” Sardonically, Reaper didn’t know which he preferred—that Diamond was afraid of him or that he would take the opportunity to start using again. Neither reasons would make that happen. Then again, neither did they inspire confidence that he would be able to handle what Diamond was about tell him.
“I don’t need to be protected from myself. Whatever bad news you have to tell me, I’ll deal, just like any other brother in the club does.”
“I didn’t come to give you bad news. Actually, it’s good.”
“You needed Calder to tell me good news?”
“I consider it good news. Unfortunately, I don’t think you will.”
Reaper wanted to get up and pace around the room but remained seated. “Tell me.”
Diamond hesitantly began. “Have you … watched the tapes that Slate took of you?”
“No. I didn’t have to watch them; I lived them.”
“I asked you to watch them.” She sighed. “Have you discussed them with Viper or any of the other brothers? They can confirm what I’m about to tell you.”
He clenched his jaw. “I don’t know if Viper’s watched them. Some of the brothers have. I haven’t asked which tapes they’ve seen, nor do I want to. As far as talking about it with him or any of the brothers, I never will. Have you watched them?”
“You know I have.”
He had to give Knox’s wife props for not betraying her opinion of the tapes.
“Then, can you tell me how I’m supposed to talk with any of them, especially Viper?”
Diamond tightened her lips. “I can’t.”
Anyone who cared about Viper would never want him to watch the brutality that Reaper lived through for almost ten years.