Page 16 of Viper

My phone rings again and I quickly answer it. I don’t bother looking to see who it is.

“Cara Lucia Romano!” my mother shrieks. Aww shit, I’m in trouble. She brought out my whole name. I don’t know what I’ve done but it can’t be good. Viper chuckles from behind me, so I know he heard her.

“Hey, Mama!” I say in a sweet voice that I hope puts her in a better mood.

“Don’t you ‘hey, Mama’ me. You’ve been in that clubhouse for almost a week, and you don’t call your mother!”

“Sorry, Mama. I’ve been crazy busy installing the cameras, but I should have called.” I’m hoping my apology gets me back on her good side.

“That’s not the only thing you’ve been busy with.” I shoot up off the bed in a bit of a panic. How the hell does she know? Sara. I’m going to kill her. She’s always had diarrhea of the mouth. She can’t keep a secret to save her life!

Before I can explain, she continues, “When are your dad and I going to meet this man? I hear you two are inseparable.”

I turn and look at Viper and the asshole is just grinning from ear to ear. He has no idea what it’s going to be like to meet my parents.

“Soon, Mama. I promise.”

“Is it serious? Can you see yourself settling down with him? I want some grandbabies for crying out loud!”

I gasp. I know Viper heard her because the asshole is smothering his laughter with his pillow. “Mama, your youngest is about to start middle school! Worry about getting Marco out of high school first. And yes, it’s serious. I can see a lot of things in my future with him.” When I turn around, Viper is no longer laughing. He’s looking at me with so much love in his eyes, as if he’s saying,me too, baby.

“Marco doesn’t pay me any attention. He just sits on that game with his friends, screaming into that headset. I want some babies around here, but I amnothaving them myself. You and your siblings are going to have to give them to me. Now, I have to go. I have a meeting with those bougie-ass women at the country club about the upcoming charity event. I’m warning you now, if you don’t make the plans for us to meet him, I’ll come on my own.” She ends the call before I can reply. I know she means business.

“Your mom seems… sweet.” I laugh because I know he’s trying to be nice.

“If you ever see me get crazy, just know I got it from her.”

We climb out of bed and get our day started. It’s been the same routine for three days.

I’m outside working on the cameras with Sara, Tech, and the prospects when I see Kevin call. He’s been following Snake for the past three days. So far, he hasn’t done anything suspicious. I step away from the group and answer.

“What did you find?” I ask.

“It’s bad Cara. He’s working with another MC called ‘Devil’s Outlaws.’ I’m sending you a recording now. Some girl named Cindy is in danger. I’m following him, but whoever this Cindy is, you need to get to her ASAP.”

My heart drops. What the hell is he planning to do to Cindy? “Kev, is anyone else in my brother’s MC working with him?” God, I hope not.

“No, it’s all in the recording. You just need to get to this Cindy. Now, Cara!” he shouts.

I hang up and tell Tech to keep working with the prospects and I tell Sara to follow me. Once we are in the tech room, which we named the “cave,” I let her know what’s going on.

“Kev just called and said I need to get to Cindy ASAP. Snake is working with some MC called ‘Devils Outlaws’. No one else in the MC is working with him so we’re good on that. I want you to listen to the recording and get all the facts. I’m about to get Red so we can go get the kids from school,” I tell her.

“Go! I’ll have all the facts by the time you get back.”

I run out of the room, not wanting to waste another second. I stop by Viper’s office. “Babe, I need you to come with me. Now!”

He doesn’t hesitate at all. My man knows me enough to know that something is wrong just by the tone of my voice.

Walking out into the common room, I see my brothers, Pops, and Thor. “You four, with me. Now.” I know they’re not used to me making orders like this, but we are limited on time. I throw my keys to Viper. “Drive to Cindy’s school.” He gets in the driver’s seat and takes off his cut like he did the other night. My brothers, Thor and Pops head for their bikes. I can tell he wants to ask me what’s going on, but I don’t have time right now. I need to call Red. I hold up a finger, telling him to wait, and I dial Red’s number.

“Speak,” Red answers.

“Red, I need you to meet me at Cindy’s school now. I can’t explain everything right now, but she’s in danger. I need you to trust me. I’ll explain everything when we get back to the clubhouse. I promise.”

“I’ll be there in ten.” He hangs up.

“Cara, what the hell is going on?” Viper asks.

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