Page 1 of Viper
Prologue
Lake – Age Ten
I slowly chew my bottom lip as I wring my hands together, eyeing my dad’s bedroom door wandering if I should knock or walk away. I mean, the only thing he could do is say no, something he doesn’t really do a lot if I ask for something that I want which isn’t something I normally do but I know I’ll be upset is he doesn’t agree with this.
Okay, that was a lot of something’s…
I shake my head. I know he says he’s trying to protect me, but I’m ten and my period has just started, a period my tutor said wouldn’t happen until I was at least twelve when I asked her about it
I hear a bang, and I jump as Daddy curses behind the door.
He doesn’t sound like he’s in a good mood. Maybe I should ask another day?
But when, though? I can’t keep using tissue…
I sigh, dropping my chin to my chest, feeling conflicted. Growing up, it’s only been my dad and me, no one else. Despite working at Dark Angel’s Motors, none of the brothers know me, except for the President and his woman so it was just us and I never needed anyone else, until now.
The club has many rumors about them, some good, some bad, but Daddy works with them, so they can’t be that bad, he just didn’t think I needed anyone else around.
Maybe I could call Mrs. Lopez, the presidents old lady?
I swallow hard and eye the door before taking a deep breath, knowing I need to do this. I lift my hand to knock, but before I can tap on the wood, I jump when Daddy opens the door, about to walk out.
He halts when he looks up and sees me as I take in his appearance.
He’s in his overalls, his black hair is a mess, but his hazel eyes are assessing me, and he raises a brow in question.
“Pumpkin?” he says and I wring my hands together again, really nervous.
“Are you going to work?” I ask quietly, and he huffs as he admits, “Old man Trivers’ Chevrolet is in yet again.”
I wince. The man's car always breaks down. Daddy says it’s a classic and should be driven on special occasions, but the man loves his car and will only drive that one, meaning Daddy is the one who fixes it.
“Can I come?” I ask, and he tilts his head at me, his eyes yet again assessing me and my most likely weird behavior.
“Can I ask why?” he questions, “You never wanted to come to the garage before.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat as I tighten my fingers together before I admit, “I want to see my mama,” reallyquietly, and he stills. I push through, “I’m uh, I’m ten now, Daddy and I need–”
He cuts me off and snaps, “No!” making me flinch, and I try, “But Daddy, I–” and he cuts me off again and growls, “I said no, Lake! You are not having any contact with that woman, do you understand me?!”
“That is not fair!” I tremble, “She’s my mama, and I need her!”
“Lake I said no!” he shouts making me step back with wide eyes shocked.
He’s never shouted at me before…
He shakes his head and says more calmly, “She is not a woman you need to be around, so I will only tell you this once, never will you have contact with that woman, and I don’t want to hear of it again.”
My bottom lip trembles before anger takes hold and I scream, “I hate you!”
Daddy’s mouth parts in shock, and guilt instantly fills me for saying those three words for the first time ever, and I quickly turn and run down the hallway in our apartment before rushing out the front door without a second thought.
“Lake!” Daddy shouts but I ignore him and sprint down the road, going as fast as my legs will take me.
He doesn’t get to tell me no because I want to see my mama. I need her right now with something he doesn’t know anything about and he’s being mean and selfish for denying me the opportunity to see her. He’s not being fair or thinking of me, only himself and his own feelings.
With those thoughts in mind, I disobey my father for the first time and I run to the clubhouse a mile away where I know she will be, while trying to ignore the hurt and pain I feel for telling my daddy that I hate him…
