Page 43 of Viper

“Taking me away from Viper.”

“What do you mean? You’re not being held against your will, are you?” Paul asks. He looks like he’s ready to snatch Cara and run.

Cara giggles and shakes her head. “No, Papà. Chris and Cam are here. Do you really believe they would let that happen? I just mean it would be difficult because I’m pregnant.”

Paul and Crystal gasp and look back and forth between Cara and me. “I know I asked for grandbabies, but I didn’t think you would give them to me so soon.” Crystal is smiling at Cara with so much love in her eyes.

“You’re having a baby?” Paul asks, kneeling by the bed.

Cara nods her head and smiles. Paul gets up and stands in front of me. He looks me in the eyes like he’s searching for something. He does this for a few moments before he smiles.

“Welcome to the family, son.” He slaps me on the back and walks back to Cara.

ChapterTwenty-Three

CARA

Ican’t believe my parents are here. I’ve been missing my dad so much. I’m a daddy’s girl at heart. My dad made sure Sara, Sofia, and I understood how a man is supposed to treat his woman. I’ve found that man in Jace.

“Where are you two going to live? You can’t raise a family living out of the clubhouse.” My mom is completely right. The clubhouse is no place to raise a baby. I know the guys would tone it down but still, we need a place of our own.

Viper speaks before I can answer. “Follow me.”

He comes around the bed and scoops me up bridal style, then motions for my parents to follow us. “Jace, I can walk. I’m not an invalid.”

“I don’t care. I could have lost you. Could have lost our baby. I need to hold you close.”

“Ok, honey.” I palm his face, soothing him. I understand this has to be hard on him, so I’ll give him this. Jace avoids taking me through the common room. I’m grateful for it too. I don’t want anybody seeing me like this.

We walk out the side door and there is an SUV parked there. I know this is the club SUV. The prospects use it when they have store runs. My parents get in the back while Jace places me in the passenger seat. Once Jace is in the driver’s seat, he heads for the back of the property.

I already know where he’s taking us. In no time, we pull up in front of the six homes that are in the back. Jace walks up to a huge two-story brick home with a wraparound porch. He pulls a key out of his pocket and opens the door. My parents and I follow him in, and I freeze. This home is perfect. It’s completely bare, no furniture anywhere. The kitchen has black marble countertops with black appliances. The dining and living room are huge. Both rooms have wooden floors and there’s a fireplace in the living room. My imagination is running wild with ideas.

“Whose house is this?” my mom asks.

“Mine and Cara’s. I had it built a while ago. I never thought I would have a family of my own, but I’m glad that I’m building one with Cara. I never furnished it because I’m not into all that. Cara will decorate however she sees fit.”

“Really?” I ask, giddy. Jace gives me a nod and I start squealing like a damn schoolgirl. My parents look satisfied with this and hug Jace and me. Jace starts giving us the tour. The house is bigger than I thought. There are three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms downstairs and two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs. I’m thinking we should put the nursery downstairs since that’s where the masters is. The backyard is spacious, and my thoughts are running wild with ideas. I want to fill this backyard with a swing set, jungle gym and so much more. That’s going to be a lot of shopping.

We head back to the clubhouse and my parents leave with Sofia and Marco to go to their hotel with promises of coming back. They decided to stay for a while since Sofia graduated from high school this year and Marco summer break has already started.

* * *

A few daysafter the party from hell, my face is healing pretty good. I still have a few scars but makeup covers it right up. Today, I’m a little nervous. My dad pulled some strings and got his friend to perform a sonagram with my entire family present. With my approval, of course. I want my family to be a part of this. I’m nervous because I have no clue how many babies we’re having. I wasn’t kidding when I said I believed my family was cursed. It’s the only explanation. My dad just laughs every time I say that, but what other reason could there be? I’m a little dramatic. I know.

“Babe, you ready?” Jace asks, walking into the bathroom.

“Yes.” I take a deep breath to try and calm my nerves.

“It’s going to be fine, babe.”

He says that now, but I know firsthand how my brothers and I were hellions growing up. The three of us were always into something, driving my mom crazy. I guess payback is a bitch.

Once we’re at the doctor’s office, I’m quickly escorted to a private suite. The room is really big, and I see they have a huge television on the wall. The nurse tells me to take off my bottoms and get on the table. When I remove my pants and underwear, I see Jace devouring me with his eyes.

“We are not here for that. That look is what got us here in the first place.” He completely ignores my scolding. He knows I’m putty in his hands.

“No, baby. It was this dick that got us here.”

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