Page 18 of Viper's Salvation
"These men," she says, looking around at the group, "they might be rough around the edges. They might do things the law doesn't approve of. But they protect what's theirs with everything they've got. And once you're under their protection, you're family."
The concept of family has always been loaded for me. Kelly is my only real family, has been since we were kids. The idea of belonging to something larger—a community, a tribe—is both appealing and terrifying.
The conversation changes as Emma joins us, talking about her upcoming exams in Boston and how she's trying to convince Wilder to visit her there.
"He's convinced they'll arrest him the minute he steps into the city," she says, rolling her eyes fondly. "As if the Boston PD has nothing better to do than harass random bikers."
"To be fair, he's not exactly a model citizen," Viper points out, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Neither am I," Emma retorts. "I just hide it better."
Her easy acceptance of the club's outlaw nature, despite her career aspirations, is fascinating. She's straddling two worlds that should be incompatible, yet somehow making it work.
After lunch, the group splinters into smaller clusters. Some of the guys start a horseshoe tournament, while others stretch out on blankets in the sun. Kelly and Blade disappear down a walking trail, her laughter floating back to us in the breeze.
I find myself sitting at the end of the dock, feet dangling over the edge but not quite touching the water. The sun warms my face as I close my eyes, listening to the gentle lapping of waves against the wooden posts.
"Mind some company?" Viper's voice pulls me from my thoughts.
I open my eyes to find him standing a few feet away, two bottles of water in his hands.
"It's a free country," I say, patting the dock beside me.
He sits, offering me one of the waters. "Thought you might be getting dehydrated. Sun's stronger than it feels."
"Thanks." I take a long drink, realizing he's right.I am thirsty.
We sit in surprisingly comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching dragonflies skim across the water's surface.
"Kelly seems happy," I finally say. "With Blade."
Viper nods. "He's a good man. Rough around the edges, but solid where it counts."
"What about you?" I ask, curious despite myself. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight." He takes a drink of his water. "You?"
"Twenty-two."
He nods, seemingly unsurprised. "Thought you might be around there."
I'm not sure why that matters, but something eases in my chest at the fact that we're close in age. Not that I'm interested in him that way. Obviously. I've got far too much baggage to be thinking about any man right now, let alone one who lives in a world of violence and danger.
"What happens after this?" I ask suddenly. "When the picnic's over, when the celebration ends? What does your club do when you're not hunting Vultures MC?"
Viper considers this, his profile sharp against the backdrop of the lake. "We protect what's ours. Run legitimate businesses. Garage, towing company, security for local establishments. Keep the peace in Pine Haven."
"Legitimate," I repeat skeptically.
He turns to face me. "Mostly legitimate," he amends with a hint of a smile. "We're not angels, Amy. But we're not the devils some people think we are either."
"And where do I fit into all this?"
"Wherever you want to," he says simply. "You heard Reaper yesterday. You can stay in Pine Haven under our protection, or we can help you start fresh somewhere else. Your choice."
"And if I stay? What then? I can't live at the clubhouse forever."
"No," he agrees. "But we can help you find a place, a job if you want one. Pine Haven's small but it's got opportunities."
