Page 59 of Viper

I smile. “I’ll try, but I have a feeling Eden’s going to be a tough nut to crack.”

“Good thing you’re good with nuts,” Torque jokes as he and Rose enter the kitchen. “And from the sound of things, she’s one of the nuttier ones.” Archer laughs at that and I flip Torque off, but he just grins.

“Archer, don’t you listen to him,” Rose tells him as she moves up beside him and pulls him into her. Archer smiles at her and lays his head on her shoulder. “Eden is a lovely woman, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about when it comes to your Dad and her, baby. Not to mention, she’s clearly concerned how you feel and that makes her top notch in my book.”

I give Rose a grateful look. Archer has always respected Rose. Even more than me at times, and in this, he’ll take her sentiment to heart. I finish making the burger and fries for Archer and hand him the plate. “Go eat, while I check on King and Stone, okay?” I tell him.

Archer takes it and nods. “Okay. Need to fuel up before I get back to showing up Timber.” He grins at me and then heads out.

I shake my head and grin. He’s got a good sense of humor. Before I can follow him out of the kitchen, Rose stops me with a hand on my arm. Torque shoots me a pitying look and then leaves me alone with her. I look down at her and smile. “Your man know you’re in here talking to me all alone, gorgeous?” I ask.

She grins back at me. “Not yet, but I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon enough. I wanted to talk to you about Eden.”

“Okay,” I reply cautiously.

“I like her, so this isn’t a bad conversation,” she assures me, which instantly makes me relax. “But I do think that you need to be cautious. Not only because she’s not sure of how the two of you are going to work, but also because of Archer. Archer is a very good boy, and he would handle things if you two don’t work out. But Eden, I think she’s already attached to him, and with your ex being the kind of woman she is, I’m sure that she’s going to try and cause problems.”

I nod. “I’ve figured that, and I’ll handle things as they come. Eden can hold her own, but I’ll make sure Maggie knows to leave shit alone.”

“I just worry that since Eden is working for the courts, and was technically asked to work with your case, though not in the typical sense, that Maggie could use that against you.”

Now that gives me a pause. Shit, I didn’t even think about that. “I’ll have to talk to Prez about that possibility,” I agree. “And Eden.”

“Now, I’m probably thinking about this a little too much, but from what I’ve seen of Maggie, she’s going to do whatever she can to screw you over, and that will include going after the new person in your life.”

“She’s after money more than anything,” I tell Rose grimly. I give her a quick rundown of what Maggie said to me on the phone, and Rose’s eyes go fiery, and with a determination that has me a bit worried for Maggie’s safety.

“That woman needs to be put down like a dog,” Rose spits. “How dare she act like she can use Archer like some sort of bargaining chip. He’s her son. I hope you told her to go to hell.”

“I asked her if she was high or drunk, and then she threatened to send her twig of a boyfriend to kick my ass and hung up. I already alerted Hunter, and he said not to worry, so that’s all I can do for now. But I’m not looking forward to sending Archer there on Sunday night.”

“You think she’s going to try and keep him from you and you won’t get him back when it’s your turn at the end of next weekend?”

I nod. “I wouldn’t put it past her. She’d be in violation of the agreement so I can get the cops involved, but I don’t want to do that to Archer. He doesn’t need to see that.”

“You’re a good dad, Viper,” Rose says, laying her hand on my arm again. “You’re thinking of your son more than yourself, and he’s going to thank you for that when he gets older. But eventually, you’re going to have to stop protecting him. He’s going to realize for himself that his mother is trying to keep him from you, and you getting the law involved in this case, could show him you’re not giving up. That you’re putting him first, even if it does paint her in a bad light. So keep that in mind. He’s a smart kid, and he’ll know you’re not to blame.”

“Sometimes I wonder what the hell I’m doing,” I admit. “I want Archer and Eden with me all the time, but right now it can’t happen, but for different reasons. I also want to make sure Archer knows I’m not going to put Eden ahead of him. Hell, she wouldn’t let me anyway.”

“Which is exactly why I like her so much. Well, mostly. I also like her because she’s a badass, and she’s going to keep you on your toes. But the fact that she’s so concerned about Archer and his well-being already speaks to a woman who is going to be damn good for you both. You just need to make sure you’re patient with them both while they find their way.”

I nod. “She’s asked me to let Archer be her friend first, and she’s going to mostly stay back and out of his way until he’s ready.”

“She’s going to make a damn good mother,” Rose predicts with a grin. “And I can’t wait to have me some more grandbabies running around here, so get to work on convincing her of that, yeah?” She winks up at me.

I laugh. “Sounds like you’re already getting one more to spoil. I think we’ll be holding off for a while, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

“I’m just so happy for Shadow and Quinn. Quinn is a wonderful mother to Macy, and that little girl is going to grow up to be one kickass woman. And Shadow, well, he’s always been made to be a dad, and this just means we get to see him experience another facet of it.”

“And you’ll be here to taunt him with the fact that it might be another girl,” I laugh.

She grins wickedly. “You know me so well.” On this, oh yes I do.

We head back out into the common room and I see Archer wolfing down what’s left of his food and taunting Timber around mouthfuls. Those two have always been close, so I know Timber is taking it good naturedly. I head toward the stairs, ready to check in on Stone and King. Though when I get close Dagger’s room, I hear Sage’s voice and it is not happy. But I stop in my tracks outside the door, mouth hanging open, when I hear her yell, “I thought you got me pregnant, asshole, which would be your fault. So yes, I was panicking! But lucky for you, I’m not, so your balls are safe for today.”

Oh shit.

“So, what, you’re saying you don’t want to have my baby?” King demands, pissed, and if I’m detecting it right, hurt.

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