Page 11 of Gypsy Angel

“Give him some time to cool off. I don’t know what’s going on in his head. He’s been off since our mission before last.” Highlander clapped Viper on the back, showing solidarity with everything going on.

“I don’t care how he feels about me, Joe. I do care how this affects Cheryl. If there was another way without putting that woman in bubble wrap and putting her in a holding cell somewhere in Siberia, I’m all for it. I’m not one for the ball and chain idea but if it’s what it’s going to take to keep her safe, then I’ll do it!”

Viper stood there as Highlander studied him for several moments. Whatever he was looking for, he must have found it because Highlander nodded at him before walking away and into the house.

“Welcome to the family. Ye hurt that lass, ye boys won’t save ye arse. Ye won’t have to worry about Joker or me kicking it either. If I were ye, I’d be more scared of those women in there. They are more dangerous than the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Recon, Raiders, the CIA, MI6, FBI and even the black ops all put together.” Highlander advised over his shoulder.

Viper chuckled at that statement as Marcus smacked him on the back. “My brother does not lie. Those lasses are crazy as hell and will have no problems fucking a man up for one of their own.”

“Don’t I know it! I meant what I said, you boys get shipped out, your girls have our protection just the same.” Viper advised Highlander and Marcus, voicing his comment earlier, again. Once it’s known that Cheryl is mine, because I will have to make that statement so that all of this is believed, because, by extension, this is her family, even if it’s not blood related, those women, and their children fall under our protection too.”

“Good. The same goes with ye and your men. Ye boys ever need anything, we have ye back!” Highlander said, putting his hand out for Viper to shake.

When Viper took Highlander’s hand to shake it, he almost lost his balance when Highlander pulled him in for a man hug and a pound on his back. Marcus did the same. Once both men left, he turned to where Jacko stood, quiet as always.

“Need me to put the feelers out?” Jacko asked, staring out into the night.

“Taz said she has this Oz guy looking into some things. These guys trust him, especially since he’s a SEAL for another team. Check with Kermit and see if he knows who this guy is. Go ahead and put some feelers out.”

Viper stopped what he was about to say when he looked into the window and saw Diesel and her team huddled in a large hug pile. He could see she was crying into Pratt’s shoulder, despite her team surrounding her. Part of him wished he could go after Joker and beat the man’s ass but didn’t want to make it worse.

“I’ll see what I can find out about.” Jacko finished for Viper when he looked over to see what had caught his eye. “She’s good for you, you know. If you let it happen naturally. Use this time to see where it goes.”

“I can’t put her in the line of fire, Jacko. Not until Bella is found.” Viper answered, never moving his eyes away from Diesel.

“These guys have sources that we don’t right now, Dean. Once her daughter is found, we can ask them for help in finding Bella. Use all the damn resources that are in our path.” Jacko advised, smacking Viper on the shoulder.

“I’ll take it under advisement. After…” Viper said before Jacko could say anything. “After we find her daughter and deal with this Krieger guy.”

Viper never saw Jacko nod before he slipped off into the night, starting up his motorcycle and riding off. He stood there for several more moments watching Diesel with her friends before he headed back into the house with the large group. Once he walked back in, all eyes turned to him.

Viper walked over to the group of women and put his hand down for Diesel to decide if she wanted to take. When she stared at it for a few moments, he was deciding if he should take his hand back and step away. As he started to do just that, she grabbed his hand and pulled herself up, letting herself be pulled into his arms.

“So…” Diesel started to ask into his chest.

“What, beautiful?” Viper murmured into her ear, placing a kiss on the side of her head.

“When do we do this? I’m sorry you got roped into….”

Viper placed his hands on Diesel’s face, moving it to where she was forced to look into his eyes as he spoke. “Do not finish that sentence, Cheryl. I didn’t get roped into anything. If you’re about to say we just met last night, that would be a lie. We met a year and a half ago when my boys and I helped Marcus find his wife. We’ve been around each other multiple times since then. We already went over this. You nor are your friends forcing me into anything. I want to do this, especially if this means keeping you safe and helping you find your daughter.”

“Bossy much?” Diesel quipped, causing Viper to chuckle.

“Every damn day that ends in ‘y’, hot stuff. Get used to it.”

“Hate to break this up as much as I love seeing this.” Pratt softly said, crossing her arms across her stomach as she smiled softly at the couple.

“What’s up pixie?” Viper asked, laughing when Pratt glared at Viper for the nickname.

“Asshat! Anyways, when do we do this whole tying the knot thing? We don’t know where Krieger is. We assume he’s in Arkansas but no real proof at the moment. Taz was right, he could be moving base of operations to broaden his network, since we forgot about Colorado…”

“The sooner the better to be honest.” Raso said, finishing for Pratt, as she looked between Diesel and Viper.

“Well, they do have a point. Tomorrow work for you, hot stuff!” Viper said, winking down at Diesel.

“Okay, if that’s the case, take your happy ass home. Make sure you have your Sunday best. We’ll take care of Diesel. She’ll stay with one of us tonight and then the rest can be dealt with tomorrow.” Pratt said, shooing Viper out of the front door, making Highlander, Viper and Marcus laugh.

TEN

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