Page 45 of Viper

First up to introduce herself is the black haired beauty, who tells me her name is Raven Dixon. “Bullet and Rose have pseudo-adopted me,” she explains. “And just as a heads up, you’re going to get confused on who is with who because we’re kind of a mish-mash of people in this group.”

Soon enough, the room is full of women as the rest of them arrive, and I’m quickly given a run down of them all and how they’re connected, and I can see easily enough how you could get confused.

I meet Ember Rose and Ash Lincoln, who are best friends and run a local bar called Ash and Embers. The two women couldn’t look more opposite, but they are clearly as close as sisters. Ember is an inch taller than me, with curves, emerald green eyes, and dark red hair that she’s got pulled up into a messy bun. Ash is my height with honey-blonde hair, silvery eyes that match her name, large boobs I instantly envy, and a bright smile. Though, it doesn’t take me very long to realize she’s the youngest Lincoln daughter, who are famous in this city. And stupid rich. Though she definitely doesn’t give off the spoiled or snobbish vibe.

After them is a little sprite of a woman, Piper Lane, that’s the same height as Raven, with short blonde hair that she’s kept in a pixie cut, icy blue eyes, and a bright smile that seems to light up her entire face. She welcomes me with a huge grin, telling me that she wants to hear all about what it’s like to work at the courthouse.

Then there are the women connected through the Lincoln’s sons, along with the matriarch herself. Gwen Hearst is quieter, but with a pretty smile, and short blonde hair and brown eyes. Next to her is Jade Kanoska, a Native American woman with dark black hair that’s pulled up into an intricate looking braid, dark eyes, and a wide smile. She smiles at me and shakes my hand, before whispering, “They’re loud and wild, but they’re a lot of fun.” I grin and nod. Yeah, I’m getting that feeling.

Finally is Leonora Lincoln, who pulls me into a hug, looks me over quickly and declares, “You’re gorgeous, and I see exactly why Viper’s so smitten with you. I’d kill to have that gorgeous hair of yours. You’ll have to let me know what you use to keep it so shiny.” Then she sits down across from Rose after hugging the other women one by one. It’s a little disconcerting knowing that one of the richest women in the country is sitting in the same room as you. But just like her daughter and daughter-in-laws, for lack of a better term, she’s warm, friendly, and far from snobby. She’s about an inch shorter than me, and is the spitting image of her daughter, right down to the blonde hair, but where her daughter’s eyes are silvery, hers are bright blue.

Then the introduction of the Old Ladies of some of the men in the club. First is Syn Hart, who looks like she’s happy to be here but exhausted. She has gunmetal blue eyes, dark red hair, and an exotic looking face. She’s toned and lean, but her eyes have circles under them, and I instantly wonder if she’s alright, but seeing as I don’t know her well enough, I don’t say anything. Next to her is Izzy Mills, Torque’s girlfriend. She’s got long blonde hair that she’s pulled up into a high-ponytail, with bright blue eyes, and clear muscle definition in her upper arms, which speaks to the fact that she must do some heavy lifting or spends a good amount of time at the gym. Though, if I’m not mistaken, there’s a bit of grease or oil under her nails Still, she shakes my hand with a big smile.

One of the last ones to arrive is Quinn Holt, who is apparently Shadow’s girlfriend. She gives me a shy smile, and I smile back. She’s got copper colored hair that she’s left hanging loose around her shoulders, green eyes, and gives off a quiet and slightly awkward vibe that makes her endearing.

This group is a large one, with such a mixture of personalities you would think it wouldn’t work at all. But here they are. Some of the richest women in the country, sitting with biker’s wives and girlfriends, and then your just run of the mill everyday regular people. I have a feeling this group of women could show the world leaders a thing or two if they put their minds to it. I glance at Sadie and see her eyes sparkling with delight and looking like she’s eating this shit up. I get why, but at the same time, I worry that sitting here with all of them is going to give them the wrong impression.

“So, Eden, what’s the deal with you and Viper?” Raven suddenly asks me, pulling my attention to her. “And I ask because I’m nosey.” A few other women snort, and she just flips them off without looking their way.

“She wants to know because Viper used to have a thing for her,” Sage informs me. I look at her, arching a brow at that. Sage rolls her eyes. “You’re not one of the jealous types, are you ? He’s been over her for a long time, and it was never reciprocated.”

“Not normally,” I say truthfully.

“I’d have told you anyway,” Raven tells me. “But don’t worry, it was nothing more than a passing fixation, and was done the moment he realized I am in love with Sloan. Now we’re just friends.”

I blink but then shrug. “We’re not together so it wouldn’t matter to me anyway. And I’m not the jealous type. If a guy wants to get with other women, all the power to him, but I’ll make him hurt if he cheats on me and then I’ll dump his ass hard and never think about him again.”

“Good,” Raven says with a grin. “Now, what’s the hold up with why you don’t want to give Viper a shot? I’m not going to persuade you, I’m mostly just curious.”

Everyone looks at me expectantly and I huff out a sigh. “Do you guys schedule these little get-togethers to grill potential girlfriends or something?”

They all laugh. “Nah, happy accident,” Leonora replies. “Now, spill.”

I laugh, because damn it I can’t help it. “It’s nothing to do with him. After my last relationship, I want to work on myself for a bit is all.”

Sadie snorts. “More like she’s being a giant pussy and won’t admit he makes her want things she doesn’t think she should have and is too scared to just give him a chance.” I glare at her, which she completely ignores.

“Viper’s a good guy,” Izzy assures me, “but I’m sure he understands that. And I understand not wanting to get in a relationship too soon either. I mean, Torque wore me down, and I’m happy, but that’s not for everyone. Is it the fact that Viper has Archer that also makes you hesitate?”

“Which would be fair,” Quinn adds quietly. “I was a bit worried about that with Macy. I mean, taking on another person’s child and loving them like your own isn’t for everyone, and I wouldn’t fault you for that.” Everyone else nods.

“Archer is a great kid, and honestly that never even occurred to me,” I answer honestly. “And he’s old enough that he has a say in what kind of woman he wants in his life too. I love kids, so I’ve never been turned off by the idea of being a step-mother or whatever. But I also don’t want to come into his life only to suddenly leave and never see him again. I know he’s old enough to understand why that could happen. But I know I will get attached and Viper would never be able to completely kick me out of his life if Archer wanted me around.”

“Which is exactly why I like you so much,” Rose says with an approving look. “You almost tore a strip off him last night because you thought he was going to leave Archer in the truck while he took you home. And I think Viper liked that too from the look on his face. He wants someone to accept Archer and be as protective of him as he is. His ex certainly isn’t.” The angry look that comes and goes in her eyes tells me that Rose is not a fan of Archer’s mother. Still, she doesn’t bad-mouth her other than that one point, which I have to respect and admire.

“What I want to know is how the sex is,” Leonora announces bluntly, wiggling her brows at me.

I sputter out a laugh, even as a few of the women agree, a few groan, and the rest look at me expectantly. Before I can reply, Sadie blurts out, “Well, he was with her last night and she was walking funny when I saw her earlier, so I’d say it’s damn good.” I give her an exasperated look, which just makes her smirk at me. “What? You going to tell me it wasn’t?”

“Of course it was good,” I say drily. “But I didn’t realize you were there watching like a creeper and could answer for me.”

“You know how I love to watch,” she leers.

“Bitch,” I say without any heat before looking back at the other women. “We’ve only slept together a couple of times, but he definitely knows what he’s doing.”

“Thank God, or I’d be terribly disappointed,” Leonora announces. “I don’t think I’d have stayed with Simon so long if he wasn’t so damn good at knowing what to do with his cock.”

“Mom!” Ash groans.

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