Page 17 of Viper's Salvation
His directness is disarming. No platitudes, no evasion. Just simple truth as he sees it.
"Thank you," I say, meaning it.
He shrugs like it's nothing, but I can tell it's not nothing to him. "Better get ready. Reaper gets grumpy if we're late to his precious schedule."
Twenty minutes later, I'm sitting on the back of Viper's motorcycle, arms wrapped around his waist as we follow a smallconvoy of bikes and a car down a winding road away from Pine Haven. The day is perfect. Bright blue sky, puffy white clouds, warm sun on my face. I close my eyes and let myself feel the freedom of the open road, the promise of a day without fear.
It won't last, I know. The nightmares will return tonight. The pain in my ribs won't magically disappear. The trauma of what I've survived won't vanish because I spent an afternoon at a lake with bikers and their families.
But for now, for these few hours, maybe I can pretend that I'm just a normal woman enjoying a beautiful day with new friends. Maybe I can forget that I met these people because they killed my captors. Maybe I can ignore the fact that the man whose body I'm pressed against has blood on his hands and darkness in his past.
The lake appears ahead, a shimmering blue expanse nestled among pine trees. Several picnic tables dot a grassy area near the shore, and a small dock extends into the water. It's picture-perfect, like something from a vacation brochure.
The bikes pull into a gravel parking area, engines cutting off one by one. Viper waits until I'm steady on my feet before dismounting himself. He removes his helmet, running a hand through his dark hair.
"You good?" he asks, those eyes searching my face.
"Yeah," I say, and I'm not entirely lying this time. "It's beautiful here."
He looks around, nodding. "One of our favorite spots. Quiet. Usually empty during the week."
Indeed, we have the place to ourselves. The others are already unloading coolers and bags from the cars, setting up at the picnictables. Kelly waves at me from where she's helping Blade spread tablecloths.
It's surreal. All these dangerous men in their leather cuts, setting up a picnic like any other group out for a day at the lake. Evelyn and Reaper arrange food on a table while Emma and Wilder set up a portable grill. Ghost lifts the little boy onto his shoulders, making him squeal with delight as they head toward the water's edge, the mom following with a smile.
"Come on," Viper says, grabbing a cooler from the back of the car. "Let's join the chaos."
I follow him to the picnic area, unsure of my place in this strange gathering. But Kelly immediately pulls me into helping arrange plates and cups, chattering about how beautiful the lake is and how Blade promised to teach her to swim later this summer.
"Later this summer?" I repeat. "You're planning that far ahead already?"
Kelly blushes but doesn't back down. "I told you, Amy. I'm not running anymore. I like it here. I like him." She glances at Blade, who's setting up horseshoes with Wilder. "I know it seems fast, but... when you know, you know."
I want to argue, to remind her how little time she's known these people, how dangerous their world is. But the happiness radiating from her stops me. Who am I to judge? My caution, my careful planning, my distrust led us straight to the Vultures MC.
"As long as you're happy," I say finally, squeezing her hand. "That's all that matters to me."
"I am," she says, her eyes bright. "Happier than I thought possible after... everything. And I want that for you too, Amy. You deserve it."
Before I can respond, Reaper calls everyone to gather for food. The next hour passes in a blur of grilled burgers, cold beer (which I decline in favor of soda, not wanting to mix alcohol with the lingering pain meds in my system), and conversation that flows more easily than I expected.
I find myself sitting between Viper and the brunette woman who came with Ghost, who introduces herself as Debbie. Her son Tyler is building a sandcastle nearby under Ghost's watchful eye.
"Ghost is your...?" I trail off, not sure of their relationship status.
"Boyfriend, partner, pain in my ass," she says with a laugh. "All of the above."
"And Tyler's father?" I ask, assuming Ghost is just playing the role of stand-in dad.
Debbie shakes her head. "No, Tyler's biological father is... not in the picture anymore." Something dark flashes across her face. "Ghost is the only father figure he's ever really known, and a damn good one."
I watch as the intimidating VP helps the little boy pack sand into a bucket, his massive hands surprisingly gentle. Another piece of the puzzle that is the Outlaw Order MC shifts into place.
"How did you meet?" I ask, genuinely curious how this normal-looking woman ended up with a biker.
"He saved us," she says simply. "I was in a bad situation. Ghost got us out. Sound familiar?"
I nod, understanding dawning. "Very."
