Viper (Scoundrels MC #1)

by Moira Callahan

  “They definitely freaked out when they got a look at you,” Bones said from the other end of the weapon.

  “Can’t imagine why,” he muttered. Stepping inside the clubhouse, he took a look around to find all the Devils being watched with weapons at the ready.

  “Could have something to do with your reputation, brother,” Stone commented.

  “Could be the expression he’s wearing,” Bender added.

  He flipped them off and nodded to Bones, who lowered the weapon and stepped shoulder to shoulder with him. “This will go one of two ways. We get our people back, you tell us why you took them, and we leave peacefully with zero bloodshed. Or we start shooting your club members one by one until we get what we want. Honestly, we’re good with either way.”

  The president’s gaze flicked between him, Bones, and his crew. “Like you shot the guys on watch?”

  “Assumptions like that are dangerous,” Bones said. Clicking his tongue, he shook his head. “They are cozy in the shade by the fence. Hogtied, sure, but they are quite alive.”

  “Why should I believe you? You fucking invaded my clubhouse, my fucking turf, and for what? A chat?”

  “Actually, no, we’re here to collect our people. The ones you took from their home for no reason. Then again, you might have had a reason, or at least a screwed-up version fed to you by one Gerry Porter.”

  The guy curled his lip and then spit on the floor near Viper’s feet. “I don’t know anyone by the name of Porter.”

  “Wrong fucking answer.”

  Everyone turned to the stairs where Duke was standing. And he was mad. Off-the-scale mad, going by his appearance.

  Viper shot the Devils’ president a smirk. “You were saying? By the way, this would be the time you start talking if you don’t want him ripping your head off.”

  The guy’s eyes were huge as he backed himself right into a chair, flailing when his knees gave out. “It was a fucking favor. A debt called in. I don’t know what his reasoning is for wanting you out of the way. All I was told was to grab you and keep you off the radar until we heard otherwise.”

  Duke was across the room and had the guy up off the floor with a hand collaring his throat by then. “Bullshit, asshole. Even you’re not fucking dumb enough to go after another club president without some assurances it won’t blow back on you. Fucking start talking, or tearing your head off will be the best thing I do to you.”

  “Uh, Duke,” Bones said. He put a hand on their president’s shoulder. “He’s probably going to need air to answer you. Let him down for now. If you want to tie him up by his entrails later, go for it, but we need him alive for the time being.”

  Duke let the other man go fast enough that he crashed back down into the chair. “Speak up, motherfucker.”

  A screech full of rage came from the stairs. Acting instinctively, Viper moved to grab Nadine around the waist before she could get at the Devil’s Blood president and claw out his eyes. Fucking hellcat fought him, even nailed him in the shin and thigh a couple times with her boot heels. “You better talk fast. I’m not going to be able to hold her for long.”

  Amazingly enough, Duke didn’t tell him to drop Nadine or tell his wife to calm down. Duke merely eased to the side, out of the path Hurricane Nadine would take if Viper let her loose.

  Eyeing her up with fear evident, the president paused in rubbing his throat. “Porter did us a solid a few years back. Kept us out of some hot water, and we owed him. When we settled here we touched base with him, thinking he might want some creature comforts while in the pen. Said he had that all handled and he’d call in his debt when he got out. I figured it would be some cash, maybe a place to crash while he got back on his feet, or maybe a job. Then he got out early. Some deal he cooked up. Don’t know the details, and I do not fucking want to ever know. He gave me a call from his parole officer’s office one day and said he was calling in his marker. We were to grab Duke and his old lady. He told us to sit on them until he called back with more details.”

  “What was his timeframe?” Bones demanded.

  “Said it would be about a week until he had everything in place, maybe ten days on the outside if things couldn’t be sped up like he hoped. He didn’t tell us anything beyond that. I swear on my mother’s grave.”

  Duke didn’t look happy with the answer. Viper definitely wasn’t. “Did he tell you when to grab them?”

  “Yup. He gave us the date, time, and address. Said to ensure they were in the bedroom before we made our move, but before they turned all the lights off for the night. We had a fifteen-minute window to work within. Porter told us if we were too far off, it would screw up his other operation guaranteed to keep the Scoundrels club too busy spinning their wheels to be focusing on him.”

  In his arms, Nadine had stopped fighting. She was breathing hard, but at least she wasn’t clawing to get free. Viper eased his hold but didn’t release her until she patted his arm and gave him a wink. He had a hell of a time keeping himself from laughing. He set her free but wasn’t all that surprised when she sauntered up to the Devil’s Blood president and clocked him with a solid right hook and sent his head snapping back.

  “That’s for grabbing my ass, fucker.” Then she went and popped a couple others without giving reason. But given their guilty looks, Viper had the impression the Devil’s Blood members had had to get creative to keep her under wraps.

  Duke was still glaring down at the president silently. Then he moved to brace his hands on the man’s chair. “I’m not going to kill you. Not today. But if I ever see your face or think I see you within a hundred miles of Crystal Creek, I will hunt you down, tear you limb from limb, and then set your ass on fire while you’re still breathing. Do you feel me?”

  The prez nodded frantically.

  “If Porter contacts you again, you play like we’re still here and then you call me. My old lady and I won’t be blowing the lid off this yet. Not until we know what the fuck that shithead is up to. If you don’t call us, and I find out that you don’t, I’ll send Viper back here. I’m sure you’ve heard all about his reputation and the things he enjoys doing to anyone that fucks with the Scoundrels, right?”

  Viper gave the president a finger wave when the man looked his direction. After the man gave another frantic nod, Duke pushed off the chair. Seconds later, the Scoundrels left the Devil’s Blood clubhouse, freeing the awake and upset gate watchers on their way out. It was beyond time to get home and face the music on the other front.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Krista knew her pacing had to be driving everyone batty. It was why she’d moved into the meeting room to do it. That and no one else was in there. She likely shouldn’t have been in there either, but damn it all to hell, it was the one quiet room in the clubhouse.

  Her cell phone began to ring. In her haste to grab it from the table, she ended up dropping it and then kicking it underneath. She scrambled around to the other side and finally got it in hand. Viper’s name showed on the screen. A shaky breath escaped before she flipped it open. “Hello?”

  “They’re safe and we’re heading back now. Do you want to talk to them?”

  His deep voice got her body revved up, but her mind latched on his words. “Yes, please.”

  “We’re okay, baby girl,” her father’s voice came over the phone. “We’ll see you soon. Stay put.”

  “Not going anywhere.” Not that she could even if she wanted to. The club was still in lockdown and she seriously doubted she could make her body function well enough to sneak away from the prospects on watch. “Hurry,” she demanded.

  “Bossy little thing. So like your mother.”

  His laughter trailed off until she heard Viper on the line again. “They’re pissed off, rumpled, and in serious need of a bath, but they’ll be fine with a good night’s sleep. Put the coffee on and make sure there’s food ready.”

  She knew he was giving her busy work to do. Krista didn’t even care. It would keep her hands occupied until she co
uld hold her parents again. “I’m guessing you haven’t told him that you violated his baby girl yet.”

  “Good guess, pipsqueak. That will be a conversation for later, when we’re together.”

  “I fully plan on standing behind you on this, Viper. Way behind you, naturally.” She was teasing him because she could. He was hers and her father would have to get with the program. Unfortunately, she didn’t think it was going to go over all that well, given her father’s stance on her dating anyone in the club.

  “Ha ha. You’re a fucking riot. We’re heading out now. See you soon.”

  Krista stuck her phone into her pocket and braced her hands to the meeting table, let her head fall forward, and took a few slow breaths. When she’d regained her balance, she headed out into the clubhouse to pass on the good news. The lockdown wasn’t yet lifted, but this would make it all a little easier pill to swallow.

  ****

  The familiar rumbles from the yard had Krista dropping the spoon she’d been stirring the stew with to the stovetop. After wrenching off the apron, she dove through the crowd to get the door. A prospect already had it open, and at his nod she bolted outside.

  Her mother was the first person Krista spotted. She practically tackled Nadine, and in unison they burst out in tears. Her father’s familiar scent was next, followed by his warmth when his arms enclosed them both in his hold. Krista was unable to form words. All she could do was hold on and cry.

  Somehow, her father got them both ushered inside. There were back slaps, hugs, and a general mood lightening from everyone gathered there. Looking around, she saw Viper with a bottle in hand. He threw her a wink and then turned when Merc started talking to him.

  “So that’s how it is,” her mother said in her ear. “I was beginning to wonder if that boy would ever make his move or if I’d have to kick him in the nuts a few times.”

  Shocked and a little horrified, Krista shook her head even while checking to ensure her father hadn’t overheard Nadine’s words. “Mom, it’s not what you think.”

  “If you’re telling me that you and he haven’t finally stopped dancing around one another and hooked up, I’m fucking going over there to slap him upside his head.”

  “You’re not upset?” Krista was seriously confused now.

  “Why would I be? If he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you both. But if he hurts you, I will do unspeakable things to him before putting his remains through a meat grinder. Now, your father, on the other hand.” Nadine turned to look at her husband. “I’m not quite sure how he’s going to take this. Don’t worry, I won’t make you face the grumpy bear alone—either of you. We’ll get him upstairs in a bit in the office and have ourselves a chat.”

  “Even if he acts all fine in front of us, he could do something to Viper later,” Krista pointed out. She wouldn’t put it past her father either. He was a huge teddy bear when dealing with Krista or Nadine, but that bear had teeth when it came to anyone that thought to stick their nose where he’d made it clear not to. “He did make them all swear to keep their hands off me, Momma. Viper broke his word to his president, and the club.”

  Nadine waved her words away. “Pfft. Duke knew that would come back to bite him in the ass one day. Something I’ve mentioned more than once over the years while you’ve grown into the gorgeous young lady you are now. He’ll huff, he’ll puff, and likely throw a big-ass stink, but in the end he only wants the same for you that we have. A solid relationship based on honesty, trust, and love.”

  “Who the hell said anything about love?” Krista damn well hadn’t.

  Nadine met her eyes and gave her that knowing-mother look. Krista hated that look. “Are you telling me that you’re not even feeling the first inklings toward Viper? If you do, I might have to break my golden rule and slap you upside your head, baby girl.”

  Unsure what to say, Krista made a helpless gesture. It was too new, too fresh, to go labeling it. Yes, Viper had made it clear that Krista was his, and she was good with that. She’d told him the same before he’d left that morning. Viper was hers, and God help the bitch that thought to get between them. Krista would pull something from Nadine’s bag of tricks and cut the bitch. She wasn’t normally a violent person, but when it came to Viper she knew she’d go to any lengths to make everyone understand that he was hers.

  Nadine wrapped her up in another hug. “Trust me, baby girl, Mommy knows what she’s talking about here. While you might not be ready to admit to that level yet, which is totally understandable, you’ve got all the signs.”

  “Daddy is going to blow his lid,” she mumbled. Krista hugged her mother tighter, squeezed her eyes closed for a second, and then stepped back. “If he does anything to Viper, I will never forgive him.” Unlike the time when her father had completely embarrassed her at her tenth-grade dance, Krista damn well meant it this time.

  Nadine must have clued into that. Lightly touching Krista’s cheek, she smiled. “I hear you, baby girl, and I will warn the old fucker to be on his best behavior.”

  “Thank you, Mom. I’d better go check my stew. God only knows what the prospects or those skanks have done to it.” Krista couldn’t hide her distaste for the club pussy. She never had in the past, but after several days cooped up with them she had even less respect for the lazy bitches.

  Nadine squeezed her arm. “I know how you feel about them. Make it clear your man is off their menu or you’ll always have to put up with their shit.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Well, I can only tell you what I did. For you, something else might work better. I punched three in the nose until they finally understood I was plenty crazy enough and fully willing to do anything for Duke. You have to find your own path, Krista. Whatever it is, ensure they all get the message clearly.”

  “Not helpful at all, Mom.” Krista didn’t know what to do to make it clear. Hell, she didn’t even know if her father was going to be okay with her being involved with Viper. Heading for the kitchen, she brushed her fingers against Viper’s to reassure him when he gave her a worried look. She wanted to crawl into his lap and have him hug her tight, but that would not fly well. Later, she’d give into her need.

  At that moment, she had to get everyone fed, corner her father for a chat, and figure out how to stake her claim. Why the fuck is it so much harder for the woman in these situations?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Viper didn’t know what was going on, but Krista was avoiding him. While he got that it wouldn’t do to be too showy in front of Duke, it still irritated him. He wanted his woman at his side. It might help keep the sweetbutts from trying to paw him. “Back the fuck off, Rosie. I won’t fucking tell you again.”

  In a huff, she stomped off to find other prey. Iris eyed him from across the room and would have come over if not for the fact he’d practically snarled in her direction. Having had enough, Viper made his way to the kitchen. Krista was in there and they needed to talk before letting Duke know what was going on.

  Jerking his head at the prospect standing idle in there to hit the road, he moved in behind Krista and wrapped his arms around her middle. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

  “I didn’t want Daddy figuring anything out until Momma got him upstairs.” She turned in his arms and wrapped her own around his neck. Her chin came up to accept the kiss he laid on her. Her actions soothed the ragged edges of all the stress he was carrying around. “She hauled him up there for a proper shower ten minutes ago. We need to be in the office in another ten. Which means I have to finish putting the leftovers away before the prospects get in here to clean for me.”

  Viper nuzzled her cheek and then her neck, breathing in her scent. “He’s not going to be happy with me.”

  “I know.” He could hear the fear and worry in her voice. “Mom’s on our side, though.”

  He jerked his head up to stare down at her. “What? She knows?”

  Krista gave him a droll look. “This is Nadine Richmond we’re talking about here, Viper.
That woman really doesn’t miss a lot. She nailed me with it earlier and then told me she’d lend us a hand in dealing with Daddy. No clue what that involves, but be aware she’s on our side.”

  “God help us all,” he muttered. “Her assistance could see me skewered out in the desert.”

  “I would never let that happen, babe. You’re mine and I plan on hanging onto you. Super tight, for the record.”

  He couldn’t help the smile that pulled his lips. She did that to him. Krista Richmond made him a happier man, centered him, and let him see a future that wasn’t so bleak. After giving her another slow kiss, he let her loose. “I’ll meet you up there. Don’t dally or I will come looking for you. No way in hell am I facing your old man alone, even if your mother is there to supposedly help our cause.”

  She cupped his face and tugged him down for another kiss. “I will be there, promise.” With a brush of her nose to his, she shooed him from the room. He allowed it because she was his, and she had certain rights that no one else would ever have.

  Taking the stairs to the second floor two at a time, he slipped into Duke’s office and left the door open a crack. He settled down on the sofa and stretched his legs out to wait. He didn’t have to wait long either.

  Duke was on Nadine’s heels demanding to know what she needed from the office. “It can’t be that important, love. Surely it can wait until morning. Viper.” He came to a dead stop and blinked. “Something wrong?”

  Krista was right behind them and, with a hand to her dad’s back, pushed him further into the room before shutting the door.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Duke demanded. He returned the hug Krista gave him but looked even more confused when she slipped free and came to sit on Viper’s lap. Then understanding kicked in full force.

  Nadine stepped between them, her hands to Duke’s chest. “Down, baby. You knew it would happen eventually. The signs were all there. I couldn’t put the pieces together until today, but it’s obvious now. They’re meant to be.”