The Reaper's Reply

The message went out at dawn. Rogue handled it personally — a single photo of the ledgers and a note that simply said: We have it. Touch her again and we burn everything. The compound was quiet after that. Too quiet. Brothers cleaned weapons, checked bikes, and waited. Colossus stayed close, one massive hand always somewhere on me — my back, my hip, my neck — like he needed the reminder I was still here. I spent the morning in the garage, pretending to work on a bike while my mind raced. Colossus leaned against the workbench, arms crossed, watching me with that rare crooked smile. “You’re overthinking,” he said. I wiped grease on my jeans and looked up at him. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one whose blood started this war.” He crossed the space in two strides and pulled me against his chest. His arms wrapped around me, huge and warm and safe. “Your blood didn’t start anything. Your father tried to end it. And now we finish it. Together.” I tilted my head back to look at him. “You keep saying that. ‘Together.’ You sure you’re not getting tired of the wrench girl yet?” His laugh was low and real. “Never. You’re stuck with the mountain, remember?” I rose on my toes and kissed him — slow, deep, full of everything I felt. His hands slid under my shirt, rough palms against my skin, and just like that the tension shifted. “Colossus—” “Kane,” he corrected, voice rough. “When it’s just us.” “Kane,” I whispered. “Then take me. Before the world comes knocking again.” He didn’t need more. He lifted me onto the workbench again, mouth on my neck, hands stripping me with that perfect mix of hunger and care. This time it was faster, needier. He took me right there, deep and steady, one massive hand gripping my hip while the other cradled the back of my head. “Mine,” he growled against my lips. “Say it.” “Yours,” I gasped, legs wrapped around his waist. “Always yours.” We came hard, clinging to each other, breathing like we’d run for miles. After, he held me for a long time, forehead pressed to mine. “I love you,” he murmured. “Blood, past, war — all of it. You’re it for me.” “I love you too,” I whispered back. “And I’m not going anywhere.” The reply came at noon. A single Reaper bike roared up to the gate. No colors. Just a man in a black hoodie who dropped a package and peeled out before anyone could catch him. Inside the package was a photo. My mom. Safe at home now — or so we thought. But the photo showed her walking into her house, unaware. And scrawled across the bottom in red marker: We know where she sleeps. We know where you sleep. This isn’t over. The compound exploded into motion. Viper called an immediate lockdown. Brothers armed up. Colossus didn’t leave my side for a second. “They’re not touching her,” he said, voice deadly calm. “And they’re not touching you.” I looked at the photo, heart pounding. “They’re escalating. They want us scared.” He turned me to face him, hands framing my face. “Then we show them we’re not. We have the evidence. We have the club. And we have each other. That’s more than they’ll ever have.” Later that night, after the compound was locked down and the patrols were set, Colossus pulled me into his room and locked the door. He didn’t rush. He stripped me slowly, kissed every inch like he was memorizing me, then laid me down and took his time. His hands were rough and gentle at the same time — tracing my skin, gripping my hips, holding me like I was both precious and unbreakable. When he finally pushed inside me, slow and deep, he locked eyes with me and didn’t look away. “I’m not losing you,” he said, voice rough. “Not to them. Not to the past. Not to anything.” “You won’t,” I whispered, arching into him. “Because I’m choosing you. Every day. Every fight. Every time.” We moved together like the world outside didn’t exist — slow, deep, full of love and heat and everything we’d built. When we came, it was together, names on our lips, hearts racing in sync. After, he held me against his chest, one massive arm wrapped around me like a shield. “Tomorrow we plan the next move,” he said quietly. “But tonight… you’re mine. And I’m yours. Nothing else matters.” I smiled against his skin. “Nothing else.” Outside, the Reapers were circling. Inside, the titan had claimed his wrench girl completely. And for the first time, I wasn’t afraid of what came next. Because I had steel in my blood. And a giant who loved me enough to burn the world down if it tried to take me. We were ready.