The Reaper

Garry Michael The Reaper: Men in the Shadows Book One Copyright © 2023 by Garry Michael All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First edition Editing by Ebony StokesEditing by Carlie SlatteryCover art by Roopali DesignsTranslation by Amarilys S.M. This book was professionally typeset on ReedsyFind out more at reedsy.com To my readers who’ve been with me on this journey. I appreciate you! Sometimes, justice isn’t obvious. Archer, The Reaper Contents AcknowledgementTrigger WarningOne: The ReaperTwo: The ReaperThree: The PriestFour: The ReaperFive: The PriestSix: The ReaperSeven: The PriestEight: The ReaperNine: The PriestTen: The ReaperEleven: The PriestTwelve: The ReaperThirteen: The PriestFourteen: The ReaperFifteen: The PriestSixteen: The ReaperSeventeen: The PriestEighteen: The ReaperNineteen: The PriestTwenty: The ReaperTwenty-One: The PriestTwenty-Two: The ReaperTwenty-Three: The PriestTwenty-Four: The ReaperTwenty-Five: The PriestTwenty-Six: The ReaperTwenty-Seven: The PriestTwenty-Eight: The ReaperTwenty-Nine: The PriestThirty: The ReaperThirty-One: The PriestThirty-Two: The ReaperThirty-Three: The PriestThirty-Four: The ReaperThirty-Five: The PriestAbout the AuthorAlso by Garry Michael Acknowledgement This Journey has been the most exciting and nerve-wracking experience of my life. I’ve met great people along the way and I will be forever thankful for the wisdom, love and support. To Mr. Z- I love you to the moon and back. To my Mom and Dad who have encouraged me to ALWAYS be true to myself. I never had to come out because you knew all along and never made me feel less than amazing. To my brothers and sisters. This is for you. To my partner in crime, Jeris Jean- Thanks for being an amazing friend and cheerleader. To Michaela Cole- Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for always being an extra set of eyes with everything I do. E.B. Slayer & Carlie- Thank you, for being a great advisor. To all the amazing Independent Authors. I apologize in advance if I miss you. Please know that I appreciate all of you.- Tempest Phan, C.M. Danks, Swati M.H, Sue Watts, Matthew Dante, Devin Sloane, S.M Lanyon, Miss Mock, Janice Jarrell, Jenni Barra, Lizzie Stanley, Selena Moore, Zee Shine Storm, Barbara Kellyn, N. Dune, Nola Marie, P.K Morrison. Sionna Trenz, Monica Arya, Aurora Page, Ish, Ruby Ana, Charm White, Anna Fury, Elle Bor, Ducky Mack, Ashlyn Drewek, Sana Khari, Azalea Hudson, Samantha Thomas, Stacy Kristen, Melonay Ann, Jen Samson, Lola Malone, Dianna Roman, Courtney Dixon, and Robert Karl. To all the book bloggers and fanatics who help me spread the word about my books. Dawn, Tina, Jamie, April, Brittany, Lyndsay, Stefka, Gena, the Emmas, Amy V., Renate, Jenny, Amarilys, Anna, Marla, Michelle, Anita, Jenny, Melissa, Nedra, Jerrica, Taima, Tammy, Katherine, Anita, Kel, Andrea, Ayana, Myri, Heidi, Emily, Niki, Missy, Anja, and all the bookstagrammers. To my ARC readers- you are all AMAZING Thank you, Amarilys for translating (Spanish) for me. I appreciate your help! To Roopali, thank you Trigger Warning The Reaper contains elements of dark romance, gruesome and violent scenes including murder, and religious sexual explorations. If you’ve read any of my previously published works, you might find this book on the darker side of the spectrum. One: The Reaper Havana An extraordinary life: the currency upon which men in the shadows were built. Ironic, considering how hard we tried to live, breathe, and act behind obscurity. What I wouldn’t give to be an ordinary man, living an unremarkable life. The bell tower from the nearby church rang, a relic reminding those who could hear it of the time—high noon. Like most of Latin America, Cuba was steeped in Catholic traditions, pressures that guilted the living from those who’d turned to dust. I would know. I wasn’t proud to admit it, but I succumbed to the pressure every now and then. Who was I kidding? It was a compulsion. Call it insurance just in case they were right. I looked up at the blue Havana sky between the rows of preserved Spanish colonial-style buildings painted bright colors, stamping them with Caribbean identity. The blistering heat was a reprieve from the bone-chilling cold of Boston’s brutal winter. There was no getting used to that weather, but if there was one great byproduct of New England’s winter, it was the prolonged darkness where I found my solace. Sweat trickled down my forehead into the slanted crease above my left eye. A scar. A daily reminder of what could happen if I let my guard down. After quenching my thirst with a gulp of lemonade sweetened with fresh sugarcane juice, I leaned back in the iron chair, soaking every bit of sun I could take until my skin punished me with a burn. Far away, a speeding car revved, making me uneasy. Its tires kissed the road with haste and purpose. It