Reaper's Vow Read Online Free PDF Page A

he smiled, taking satisfaction at the collective displeasure. If Addy was happy to see him, Cole thought, she’d be the only one. And the perverse part of him that always had her shaking her head . . . smiled.
    * * *
    An hour later Cole’s amusement over being an annoyance wore thin. As far as he could determine, they were heading due east. The only thing east was a cliff face. Maybe Jones was toying with the idea of throwing Cole off it?
    â€œWhere is this place?” he asked Isaiah, leaning back in the saddle, signaling Rage to stop.
    The horse stopped immediately. The man didn’t give any response. From behind Cole came a growl. He looked over his shoulder, and Dirk jabbed him in the center of his back with a rifle. Cole clenched his fists. The rawhide bonds cut into his skin.
    â€œDo that again and I’ll kill you.”
    Dirk smiled a half smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Cole could see the intent in the man’s cold gaze even before he raised the muzzle of the gun. “You make it so easy.”
    â€œEnough!” Isaiah snapped.
    After a heartbeat, Dirk lowered the gun.
    Cole smiled at the man’s reluctance.
    â€œHe would kill you, you know,” Isaiah informed him.
    â€œMaybe, maybe not.”
    Isaiah shook his head. “You don’t understand Reapers.”
    Cole wished his hands were freed to tip his hat down. Instead, he shrugged. “Maybe you just don’t understand me.”
    â€œYour arrogance is irritating.”
    What was irritating was being helpless amid these Reapers. “So I’m told.”
    Isaiah didn’t answer. The rhythmic sound of multiple hoofbeats was all that could be heard for a few minutes. The silence grated as much as being helpless did. “Where are you taking me?” he asked gruffly.
    â€œTo Addy.”
    It wasn’t like Jones to be so obliging. “Why?”
    â€œBecause she’d have my head if I didn’t.”
    That was interesting. “You’re afraid of Addy?”
    No response, but the energy coming off the other man was softer. Whatever Isaiah Jones was, Cole realized, the man cared about his cousin.
    â€œIs she all right?” he asked grudgingly.
    Isaiah didn’t turn around. “She could be better.”
    That snapped him to attention. “What do you mean?”
    With a wave of his hand Isaiah dismissed the question. He stopped in front of a sheer cliff base and half turned. “I’m going to release you now. I’d really appreciate it if you’d escape.”
    He wasn’t going anywhere without Addy.
    Isaiah gave a jerk of his chin. There was an immediate shift in the energy behind Cole. Before Cole could spin around, he felt a tug on his arms, and then his hands were free. He rubbed at his wrists. Dirk tucked his knife back in his boot.
    A smile ghosted Isaiah’s lips. “Now’s your chance to escape.”
    Cole looked around. As far as he could tell, the only option any of them had was to head back the way they’d come. As if reading his thoughts, Dirk stepped back. And following him, each of the ten other Reapers did the same, opening ranks in an open invitation. Cole tipped his hat down. He wasn’t making it that easy.
    â€œYeah, I gathered that.”
    â€œBut you’re not taking it.”
    It was a statement, not a question. “Nope. So what are we doing now?”
    Isaiah sighed. “We’re going up.”
    Up looked like a sheer rock wall.
    â€œReapers have wings as well as fangs and claws?”
    Isaiah shook his head. “Nope.”
    Dismounting, Isaiah approached the wall. Without a word he reached for a spot above his right shoulder. His finger seemed to sink into the stone. Interesting. Cole dismounted and tossed Rage’s reins to Dirk. Two steps closer he could make out the subtle changes in the rock face.
    â€œYou created a ladder.”
    â€œOf sorts.”
    The big man started