Page 8 of Viper's Claim

One was when my dad backhanded me for telling him Ashley was. . . I swallowed back the memories. But I had thought after I pulled that trigger and got on the back of Reaper’s bike that killing Ashley would be the thing that redefined my life.

I was wrong.

Tyson had reshaped last night. The memory of him and I overpowered the trauma I had gone through with Ashley.

I walked out into the clubhouse wearing a bloodstain dress and the women placing the food on the long tables were gawking at me.

I had nothing else to wear but this blood-stained white dress.

“Aurora?” A blonde woman stepped in front of me. “I’m Hannah, Reaper’s daughter.” She then began continuing to talk, but I just tuned out.

I barely nodded my head when the doors to my right opened and out walked Reaper.

His eyes snapped to me off the food. “Here I was thinking Tyson would get you something else to wear.” He muttered. “Hannah.”

“It’s okay,” I said before Hannah spoke. “I’m leaving.”

“Aurora, you can’t go back to that house.”

“I’m not.” I looked at Reaper, even though Tyson was standing to his side. I had heard the girls whispering while Hannah spoke to me. That I was in Viper’s bed last night.

Viper, suited Tyson as a name.

“I’m heading out of town.” I stared into his eyes and I saw the same hollowness deep down that was in his son's eyes. “I think it is for the best.”

He nodded his head. “I’ll get a few of the boys to ride out with you.”

“No thank you. I’ll be fine.” I walked towards him and hugged his still body. “Thanks, Reaper.”

His hard exterior broke. “I’m the one thanking you, Aurora. The man had the gun pointed at me. Wasn’t shit I could do without getting a bullet.”

I just shrugged. “Everyone has to live with the seeds they sow. And I wouldn’t have dealt with you dying instead of him.”

“You don’t know me.”

“No, but you have Tyson’s eyes.” I stepped away from him.

He frowned at that. “I’m still getting the boys to ride you out of town. Protection run. Nothing of it. We do them all the time.” He was acting like he didn’t really care about my wellbeing but I knew he did. Which was sort of sweet.

“Reaper, we all die of something. I’m not hiding from fate. Thank you but no.” I wanted to get one last look at Tyson, but I had gotten my last glance at him when he walked out of the room this morning. I turned to Viper just before I left. “Goodbye Viper. Thank you for yesterday.” And that’s when I turned, leaving a quiet clubhouse. No one spoke as I left.

Now to walk home, in a blood-stained dress. If anyone questioned me, I was going to tell them it was tie-dyed.

I ordered my food and stood back.

I felt uncomfortable as three men eyed me up and down. Nudging each other and I could hear their suggestive comments.

Then one brushed his hand across my chest as he grabbed a straw from the servicing area.

“Don’t touch me.” I gritted through my teeth.

He turned to look at me smugly.

“She’s got a nice rack, doesn’t she?”

My expression dropped. No. This can’t be happening. Viper stepped around me, now standing in front of me. The man smirked back at Viper.

I went to leave but Viper gripped my arm.

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