Page 37 of Viper

I don’t play when it comes to children, and despite Viper appearing to be a good man, any man that puts a woman ahead of his kids, I’m not going to waste my time with.

Viper’s eyes warm at the mention of his son, but he assures me, “He’s going to stay here. Rose, Bullet, and the other brothers are going to make sure he’s good. Though he’s sleeping, so I doubt he’ll even notice I’m gone. And then I’ll be back here to sleep for a few hours before I have to get him up and ready for school.”

Mollified, I nod. “Alright.” And for good measure, I add, “Because if I ever find out differently, the terror you feel from this Coven group is going to be miniscule compared to what I’ll do.”

“Sorry, biker boy, but I’m trading you for her,” Sage announces.

“Like fuck you are,” King growls.

Viper is looking at me with a look that I can’t decipher, but finally he nods and says, “And I’d let you, baby girl. Now, let’s get you home so you can get some sleep.” He holds out his hand to me, and despite my better judgment, I take it and allow him to pull me from the room. He leads me out to his truck, and I feel this strange loss when he pulls his hand from mine, which is utterly ridiculous. I climb in, and look around while he circles and climbs in on the driver’s side.

The truck is large, which I can understand considering his size, and it’s surprisingly clean. I don’t know why I figured it would be a mess, but it’s clear he takes care of this as well as his bike. When he starts it up, it makes a powerful sound, but then quiets, and I watch him out of the corner of my eye as we head back down the driveway toward the gate.

The entire time I was telling him and the other men about what I heard, none of them looked all that surprised. Which begs the question, who was the man, and how deep are they involved with whatever this guy is about? I don’t think they are the kind of guys that would get involved in a criminal element, especially if they are offering me protection, but what do I really know about them other than a quick google search? So instead of wondering about it, I outright ask.

“So you know who the man that was talking is, don’t you?” I ask once we’re clear of the gate.

I’ll hand it to him, Viper has a hell of a poker face. He glances at me quickly and then starts to say, “I never said?—”

“Don’t even think of lying to me,” I interrupt firmly. “If it’s not something you want to tell me, then say butt out or straight up tell me that, but don’t try and give me some bullshit line to appease me. That’s the fastest way to make sure that I never speak to you again.” He can thank some friends and an ex-boyfriend in the past for that, but it taught me where I stand on things.

Viper doesn’t respond for a second before he sighs. “It’s club business, and until the brothers meet to discuss what you’ve told us, I can’t say anything.”

I know that line from the Sons of Anarchy show, and I also know that means I’m not getting an answer even if I push it. Partially it annoys me, but I also understand. “Alright,” I reply with a nod.

Viper glances over at me. “I’m not hiding anything, Eden, I promise, but?—”

“No,” I cut in with a raised hand. “No, I get it, Viper. And I’m not such a bitch that I will try and break that confidence you all have. Besides, I don’t have a right to ask anyway. We’re not an item so?—”

“Yet,” he cuts in, glancing over at me with a smirk.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Viper…”

“Look, I know you don’t want a relationship, and I’ll be the first to admit I get why, but the more I see you, the more time I’m around you, the more it solidifies that I want you for more than just a quick fuck every now and then. Hell, I’ve been thinking about you all day, and yesterday was the same.”

I stare at him. “You’ve seen me a handful of times,” I argue incredulously. “That’s not even possible.”

“Anything is possible, spitfire,” he says as he turns toward the city core. “And in our way of life, the men just know. Bullet knew Rose, and while their boys took a little longer, they knew too, it only took a few weeks to get it sorted for them. Well, other than Stone, but that was his own stubbornness and idiocy. But Shadow, he saw Quinn, and he wanted her and despite feeling he isn’t good enough for her, he went after her.”

Alright, I think they’re all insane. “So, what, you just see a woman, know she’s your one, and that’s it? You spend time going after her and she just agrees?”

He scoffs. “You met two of those women I’m talking about, and you really think they made it easy? Rose snuck out on Bullet after their night together, but they found each other again. King and Sage, well, those two hated each other for a short while, but shit went down, and they figured out their shit. Well, they fucked like rabbits, and then from there it grew into what they have now. But she tests him every damn day, and he eats that shit up.”

“Okay, fine, so that’s more relatable, but still, it’s weird to me,” I admit. “I mean, I’ve been with different men before, and we dated for a few months and nothing ever was like that.”

“You weren’t with the right man.”

I want to argue that, but he’s right. None of those relationships lasted, and most ended because they wanted a woman that wasn’t me. Someone quieter, able to control her mouth, and would be seen and not heard. “No, I guess not,” I finally sigh. “And I suppose you’re going to say you’re the right one?”

He surprises me by shrugging. “I don’t know. I thought I found my one a couple times, and it didn’t work out, so who’s to say this isn’t going to be the same? But I also am not willing not to try. Maggie and I were okay in the beginning, and then there was a woman that I thought would be my perfect match, but turns out we’re way better as friends. But you, there’s something different. I like that you don’t take any shit, that you tell me like it is, and I especially like that you’re protective of my son.”

That last one gives me pause. “What?” I ask in confusion.

He gives me a wry smile. “Yeah, I know, that surprised me too. But you threatening me if I didn’t make sure my son was safe and cared for, made me fucking rock hard, and also made me want to grab you and never let go. Maybe it’s because it’s clear that while Maggie loves our son in her own weird way, she’s not protective of him the way I am, or the way you are after only meeting him once. I couldn’t be with a woman that didn’t have the potential to love my son as fiercely as I do, and who would put his well being above her own.”

A riot of emotions swirl around inside me. I wasn’t expecting that. “Okay, so let me get this straight. You want me to give you a shot because you like that I’m loud, abrasive, don’t give a shit if I hurt feelings, and because you think that I’m protective of your son?”

“Partly, but also because I think you’re wickedly smart, staggeringly beautiful, and every time I’m near you, I get hard as a fucking rock. Haven’t had that problem since I was in high school.” He gives me a teasing smile.

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