CHAPTER 9

REAPER

Ellie was the shyest of the three children and didn't speak much. It had taken some coaxing from Ben for her to try a cupcake. Bren and Ben had been a little more comfortable with my sister and Noni sitting at the table drinking milk while they ate. They were filling us in on the situation with their parents, and my blood was boiling.

While the children were clean, they were severely underweight and small for their ages and needed new clothes.

Noni and Avy were arranging to take the girls shopping tomorrow, and I could see Ben was looking uncomfortable at the thought of them shopping. I had a feeling he was worried about money.

I interrupted them and their plans as I could see how anxious he was getting.

"Ben, let the girls go shopping with my sister and cousin. You can help me sort out the new clubhouse as payment. Okay?"

He nodded with relief on his face, "We don't like to take without paying back," he said.

Bren nodded earnestly. "If Ben helps you, Ellie and I can help in the house. We're good at cooking and cleaning. We can pay you back for the clothes that way."

My heart was breaking at the looks on their faces. Ellie was nodding as I held her in my arms.

"I can clean good. Sometimes when mummy is sick, I have to help clean the bathroom," she said softly, her big blue eyes on my face.

Jesus, fuck, these kids. They are never returning to the shit hole my uncles picked them up from if I can help it.

I can see Noni and Avy are having the same thoughts. I was going to push to see if mum and Aunt Maggie could swing it with child services so they'd stay with us permanently.

The back door swung open just then, and Sam came rushing in. First, kissing Avy and then Noni on their cheeks. He rubbed his hands together when he spied the laden table before dropping down into a chair next to Bella.

"Thanks, Aunt Noni. I'm starving."

Noni snorted, "Lad, you're always hungry."

He shrugged and shoved a pastry in his mouth, chewed and reached for another, getting a slap from Bella's hand.

"What?" he questioned, looking confused.

Bella glared at him, and her eyes narrowed to slits, "Rude, is what. How about letting our guests try something else before you take something? Bren may want anothercupcake."

I choked back a laugh. Sam seemed to be the only one who brought out Bella's fire. That was going to be fun to watch.

Sam sighed dramatically, looking at Bren sitting across the table from him.

"Sorry, Bren, would you like another cupcake?" he asked.

She shook her head slightly, her eyes bouncing between Bella and Sam as if she had never seen anything like the two of them squabbling.

Pushing the plate towards Sam, she said, "It's okay. You can have them. I've had one already."

Giving her a cheeky grin, he smirked at Bella before grabbing a cupcake and shoving it in his mouth. The boy was like a bottomless pit. I remember those days well.

The back door opened again, and the vision from the van earlier came in the back door.

My breath stalled in my chest as I took in Abby's curvy deliciousness. She was gorgeous with wide hips and thick thighs encased in well-worn jeans. Her waist dipped slightly before curving to her breasts, which were hugged snuggly by her t-shirt. They were no more than a handful, her skin was a golden brown, and she had long curly dark hair. I groaned at the tightening in my groin as she bent over to greet Avy and Noni with hugs and cheek kisses.

For me, she ticked every one of my hot spots on what my perfect woman would be. I had never been one for overly thin women, or women caked in makeup. Give me a woman who looked like she could take a pounding without me worrying about breaking her.

Oh yeah, baby, you are mine, I thought as she walked over to me, her hips swaying with each step.

I took the hand she held out to me and was surprised by the slight shiver that ran over us as I gripped her hand. It was only when I heard Avy loudly clear her throat that I realised we had been staring at each other. Her cheeks pinkened slightly with colour as she let go and turned her attention to Ellie, who was still in my arms.

I heard a little snort from Noni, and my eyes narrowed on her and Avy's grinning faces.

Shaking my head, I put Ellie down on a chair next to her sister and joined in the conversation around the table.