Page 73 of Viper

It’s odd to see them so amused and relaxed. Normally they’re quiet and foreboding. Still, as soon as Eden is out of hearing shot, I turn to them and arch a brow, waiting for an explanation. “You have to admit it’s funny,” Frost jumps in.

“I like your Old Lady, brother,” Bowie adds. “She’s sassy. When we surprised her, she just about took us out with a bedside lamp.”

“I hope you know you’re going to have your hands full,” Frost snickers.

I sigh out my annoyance. “Thanks for getting her here, assholes. Now get out of here before she comes out and decides to finish the job.”

“How are you getting her home?” Bowie asks, back to looking serious.

“We’ll see what happens. She might stay tonight, but I’ll call for help whenever she needs to get home.”

“Alright, We’ll be here if you need us,” Bowie says with a nod as they head out. I lock the door behind me, shaking my head. Those two are seriously enigmas and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to them. I send Carson a message telling him to head back to the clubhouse to get some sleep, and then turn to see Archer in the kitchen putting the popcorn in the microwave.

“I hope Eden doesn’t want to watch any of those stupid girly movies,” he says with a curl of his nose. “They’re stupid and only care about kissing.”

“Then it’s a good thing that I don’t like those,” Eden says with a teasing smile as she emerges from the bathroom wearing a pair of black lounge pants and a long shirt that’s about a size too big and sporting a picture of a teddy bear on the front. It’s adorable, and I can’t help but grin. She gives me a narrowed-eyed warning before she focuses back on Archer. “I much prefer action adventure, or fantasy,” she tells him.

Archer beams at her. “What about Lord of the Rings? Or the Hobbit? Do you like those?”

“That’s like asking me if I like ice cream,” she jokes. “Of course I do. They’re classics.”

Archer looks at me pleadingly and I grin. “I’ll go and key up the first movie. Make sure you save me some of that popcorn.”

“This is for Eden,” Archer tells me dismissively. “I’ll make yours last. Eden, I have all kinds of good stuff to add to yours.”

“See, I knew you were going to be my favorite out of the two of you,” Eden remarks with a smug look my way. “Something tells me that your father is boring in his choices.”

Archer nods gravely. “He likes his plain. No extra butter or salt or anything.” Eden widens her eyes comically and then shakes her head in disgust.

The two of them continue to take small digs at me, and I just laugh while I set the movie up. The two of them are getting along and if it’s at my expense, I’m perfectly happy with that. They load up their popcorn with assorted extra treats, and I can’t help but think that Eden belongs here. Laughing with my son, shooting me teasing smiles or looks of disgust and horror when Archer gives her some new tidbit about me she’s not sure she likes.

But what really makes me happy? It’s watching as the two of them sit on the couch next to each other, talking and laughing throughout the movie, and acting like they’ve been doing this all his life. I don’t even balk at them turning on the second movie, despite it getting late. I’m not one to ruin the fun.

When I interject my own thoughts on the movie, I am immediately labeled as uncool and clearly in the wrong, the two of them ganging up on me. Eden’s eyes are bright with laughter, when I pout and act like I’m put out at their disagreement. I just grin at her when Archer isn’t looking.

The true moment though, is when he and Eden are both curled up on the couch, him leaning on her fast asleep. Her arms are wrapped around him, and her head rests on top of his, eyes closed as she sleeps. I take a picture and just stare at them.

I don’t think my heart has ever hurt like this, and I realize how hard I’m falling for this woman. Is it too fast? Probably, but I don’t care. In this moment, it’s exactly what it should be, and I know that if Maggie ever lets Archer fall away, Eden will be here to pick him up and support him. Only a couple of meetings between the two, and I can see it so clearly.

I turn off the movie, which wakes Eden, and I lean down to press a kiss to her temple. “I’ll put him to bed,” I whisper. She gives a groggy nod and I carefully scoop up Archer and carry him to his room. I tuck him in, kiss his forehead, and then I slip out, shutting the door quietly behind me. I go back to the living room and find Eden cleaning up. I move toward her, stopping her by taking her hand when she goes to grab the popcorn bowl on the coffee table. “We’ll worry about it in the morning,” I tell her softly. Then I scoop her up.

“I should go home,” she murmurs tiredly, but she doesn’t struggle as I carry her into my room and lay her on my bed, before going back to turn out all the lights and then close my bedroom door. She’s burrowed under the blankets, already dosing, and I quickly strip down to my boxers and climb in, pulling her into me and curling my body around hers.

“Night, baby girl,” I whisper. She doesn’t answer, but instead, she turns so she’s facing me, and burrows as close as she can. And I’ve never felt more content.

Vlad and all the other bullshit can wait. For now, the only thing that matters to me is this woman right here where she belongs, and my son sleeping in the next room, safe and happy.

TWENTY-SEVEN

VLAD

It always amazes me how quickly a mother’s love will die when the one thing they desire most is now in front of them.

One Week Later

“How the fuck are they still not out of my fucking way?” I scream at Sasha, my patience completely gone. I stand, tossing the folders he’s once again given me with useless information. They’ve failed me once again and every single Devil’s Soldier is still out, walking free.

The past week I’ve gotten report after report of the cops trying to get them on different charges or whatever else they can cook up. And every time they manage to get off. A technicality, their lawyer getting involved, or in one case, them walking out of the jail cell because the officer was caught on camera planting bogus drugs or guns and getting themselves in shit. The judges in our pockets have done their part in issuing the warrants, even some not on official records, but nothing sticks.

---