“He swore an oath.”
“Stupid fucking oath,” Krista said. She was up on her feet again, hands on her hips and glaring at her father. “You don’t get to decide who is right for me. You don’t get to dictate what I might want, need, or desire in my life. Your wishes are all well and good, but that’s all they are. Wishes. I choose Viper, and if you don’t like it, too fucking bad. That would be your issue, not ours. I know you’re going to scream, threaten, and basically make a shitload of noise, but it won’t change the fact we’re together. Best to get over it now and start dealing with the new reality.”
Poor Duke looked like he’d been smacked upside the head by a two-by-four. Pushing to his feet, Viper stepped in behind Krista and put his hands on her shoulders. “She’d be happier if you were okay with this, but if you’re not, we fully understand.”
“Fuck that. We won’t,” she snapped out. Taking a deep breath, Krista stepped toward her father. “Look, Daddy, I get that this is the last thing you wanted. But that dumb fucking oath you made them take was pure desperation on your part. You had to know that if I was meant to be with someone in the club, it would happen no matter what. We could have kept it secret, gone behind your back and snuck around, but we aren’t. We’re being up front about it. The club already knows and supports us. The next move is yours.”
Duke was trying to process everything. Viper could tell the other man was scrambling hard to figure out what to do and what to say. If he didn’t choose correctly, he would lose his daughter, and if he didn’t handle things right, he could well lose the respect of the club. He was truly between a rock and hard place.
“If you want me out, I’ll go,” Viper said.
Krista spun around with wide eyes and shook her head. “No, you love the club.”
“Not my call, sweetheart. Your dad did make us all take an oath, and I clearly broke my word. Didn’t think I ever would, but then you sneaked in past my defenses and laid me out flat. You’re all that matters, Krista. The club.” He had to pause a second to swallow hard. “The club has always been my family when I needed it most. But now I have you.”
She threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Viper could feel the wet heat from her tears against his neck. Rubbing her back, he rocked her gently.
“He’s not going to kick you out, Viper.”
Everyone turned to find Bones, Merc, Stone, and the other club members crowded in the doorway. “He might,” Viper said.
“Not unless he wants a riot on his hands. We all knew the day he made us take that stupid oath he was full of hot air. He thought he was doing right by his daughter, but we knew it would bite him in the ass one day. Every father thinks he’s the one in control when it comes to their baby girls. What Duke has only now come to realize is that he raised her to be strong and to survive, and she just kicked him in the teeth with his own lessons. Can’t teach them to stand on their own two feet and then keep them on their ass, Duke.” Bones looked rather pleased with himself by the end of his spiel.
Blade clapped him on the shoulder. “Well said, old man. He’s also right, Duke. We knew it was pure desperation you were spouting once she reached the age where boys were starting to notice her.”
Duke seemed ready to blow a gasket. Nadine shook her head and pointed. “Get lost, you louts. He won’t kill Viper, which means your work here is done. Off with you all, and thank you. We’ll see you tomorrow.” She shut the door and walked toward them. “Come on, Krista, let’s you and I go chat for a few. Your poor father needs a moment to come to grips with his new reality and will fare better if you’re not here to hear all the bad words he’s about to spew.”
Krista snorted but gave her mother a nod. “He does realize I knew them all by the time I was three, right?”
“Let the man hold onto a few of his delusions, sweetheart. He doesn’t have as many these days.”
Krista glanced up at him, and at Viper’s nod, she left the office with her mother.
Facing his friend, his lover’s father, and his club president, Viper stuck his hands into his pockets to wait. Eventually, Duke would shake loose from whatever had come over him to keep him that quiet for that long. When it happened, Viper had a bad feeling he’d be wearing more than a few bruises in the end. If it kept him in the club and kept Krista in his life, he’d take his lumps. Duke had better not be thinking he’d take them lying down, though. It was not in his nature.
Chapter Seventeen
Krista had tried to be calm like her mother, but that wasn’t who she was. She was a worrier. Always had been, and Krista had a feeling she always would be. Especially when it came to Viper. In the future, maybe she could find more productive ways than pacing to bide her time while he dealt with club issues. If not, at least she’d be getting exercise a room-width at a time.
Spinning around when she heard the doorknob turn, she let out a gasp. “What the hell, Viper?”
“It’s nothing,” he mumbled through his bloodied lips. And his eye—holy hell, it was already turning horrid colors.
She pointed to the bathroom. Mildly stunned that he didn’t argue, she followed on his heels. When she gave him a gentle nudge, he sat on the toilet lid to get him down more at her level. “What does my father look like?”
It took her a minute to dig out the first-aid kit, fully stocked thanks to her mother and the fact the guys all got themselves into shit from time to time. First thing she did was punch an ice pack. After crunching it around to get the chemicals working, she passed it to him. “Put that on your eye before it swells shut. Besides your lip, what else got beaten up by Daddy’s fists?”
“Ribs,” he said. Then he showed her his knuckles and shrugged with a wince.
“Not much I can do for the ribs, but we’ll clean up the cuts.” She gathered what she’d need and set everything out in a row. Starting with the peroxide and a swab, she got to work on his lip first. “You should shower before I put on antiseptic cream and some butterfly bandages. If Daddy looks even half this bad, Mom’s likely to kick your ass, you know.”
“She won’t. She may want to, but she knows we had to settle it our way. Nadine will make our lives hell for the next couple weeks for using our fists, but it’ll blow over eventually. Fucking hell, that hurts!”
Krista rolled her eyes. “You really should have thought about that before you let the fists fly.”
“It’s your dad’s fault.”
When he didn’t give her more, Krista tapped his chin lightly. “Give details. You can’t leave me hanging like that. What could he have said to get you this mad?”
Stubborn male shook his head and remained tight lipped. Men were idiots on the best days, but Viper wasn’t exactly a hothead. He had his triggers, though, few and far between. Which meant her dad had used one to get him to fly off the handle. Given what they would have been discussing, there was only one obvious choice.
“What did he say about me that had you ready to tear his head off?” She felt him jolt. “Come on, I know what sets you off, Viper. Given it’s my father, he wouldn’t have used anything but me to tick you off enough to start throwing punches. If you don’t tell me, I’ll have my mother get it from Daddy.”
He blew out a breath and gave her his right hand when she wiggled her fingers for it. “Fucker was spouting shit off. I knew it, but when it comes to you I don’t seem to have the same restraint like I do for other things. Said that I was a momentary diversion, some tactic to piss him off, that eventually you’d wise up and find someone better. Pop out a couple kids.”
Krista ground her teeth together. “I’m tempted to go give him a black eye myself right now. I can’t believe you fell for that, Viper.”
“I didn’t, not until he got more graphic and then I lost it. He had a smug look on his face right until my fist rammed into his nose. From there it was an all-out brawl. Pretty sure he’s going to need to replace at least half his furniture.”
Krista stepped in closer and gently wrapped her arms around his
head. She cradled his face between her breasts. “Thank you for defending me. But the next damn time you come home looking like this from a brawl, you are on your own for dealing with the blood. We clear?”
Viper’s arms slid around her waist and he gave a small nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good, now strip down and get your ass in the shower. Don’t scrub anything that’s bloody too hard. No need to get it flowing yet again.” She pressed a kiss to his head before releasing him.
Krista turned away and began to pack up the items she wouldn’t need after his shower and did a quick check on what was still in there. Other than the ice pack and some swabs, it was in good shape. Viper’s vicious curse had her spinning around to find him with an arm up over his head with his shirt half off and apparently stuck. She couldn’t quite smother the snicker that burst out.
“Not funny, Krista.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Waving a hand, she stepped in closer. “Bend over and I’ll pull it off. Both arms over your head and look at the floor. I’ll try to be careful, but this is going to hurt, babe.”
Once he was in position, she worked the cloth off with care despite his many curses. “You could consider buying shirts that weren’t quite this snug, you know.”
Viper straightened up and lifted an eyebrow. “You like my tight shirts. Don’t you dare lie.”
Krista couldn’t say she didn’t when she clearly did. She loved how the material hugged every muscle he had and showcased how well he’d kept his physique. But she also couldn’t resist messing with him either. “M’eh, you’re not bad for a middle-aged biker, I guess.”
His expression was absolutely priceless. Then it shifted and she knew she was in trouble. Backing up when he stalked toward her, she banged up against the closed door. His hands landed on either side of her head, and Viper leaned in close. “You are a brat. You know that, right? I cannot believe you called me middle aged. I’m not even forty yet. Take it back this instant.”
“Nope,” she said before pressing her lips tightly together.
“Krista.” Her name was followed by a throaty purr from him. Dipping his head, he nuzzled at her neck and sent chills through her. The hot brush from his tongue had her hands coming up to his chest, but she quickly moved them away from his bruised ribs to his upper arms. “Take it back. You love my tight shirts.”
A whimper escaped when he sucked lightly on her throat. She couldn’t resist him when he was being playful like this. “I admit it. I love your tight shirts. I hate the looks the sweetbutts give you when you wear them. Only thing I hate more is the looks they give you when you pull your shirt off while you’re working. I can almost hear them plotting in their skanky little brains.”
Instantly, he lifted his head to meet her gaze. “You know I would never be with one of them. I have you, sweetheart. You are everything I ever wanted even when I couldn’t admit it to myself.”
“I know that. Doesn’t mean I have to be rational about the urge I have to tear their hair out at the roots or do something equally vicious to them.”
“You can be as irrational as you want to be, but remember I am yours and they are never going to know what you know about me.”
“You mean like the fact you steal the covers? Or that you have this weird ritual when you’re brushing your teeth in the morning? Or maybe that you sing, horribly, I might add, in the shower?”
“Smartass, but yes, things like that. And I don’t hog the covers. It’s self-preservation to have even a corner for myself against you. You’re damn vicious when you get chilled, I would like to point out. Tried to deck me twice last night, and we won’t even count the number from the night before.”
“How dare you?” She was fighting laughter while trying to act affronted. “You take that back, mister. I would never hurt you for the covers when all I have to do to be warm is get you curled around me. I will tell you now, I love the fact you’re a cuddler. Not something I would have guessed, given your soon-to-be tarnished hard-ass rep.”
“Only with you, Krista.”
Moving her hands to cup his cheek, she tipped up her chin and kissed him. “Shower, please. I want to get you bandaged and then you need to get some rest. You’re going to really feel all these bruises in the morning. You know, mainly because you’re not as young as you once were.”
“Not amusing in the least. Join me,” he said. When she hesitated, he clicked his tongue. “Shame on you for thinking I’d take advantage. Normally I would, but truthfully I need you to scrub my back and likely anything below where I can reach while fully upright. Bending over really, really hurts.”
Since she couldn’t argue with that, Krista began to tug off her own clothing, and then followed him into the shower enclosure.
“You’re not worried about the age gap, are you?”
Stunned by his question, she quickly shook her head. “I was only teasing, and I know I shouldn’t, but no, I’m not worried about it. You’re perfect, Viper. Age is only a number, after all. It’s what’s inside that matters, and if you feel young in your heart, then you are.”
His arms slid around her while the warm water sluiced over their bodies. “There are days I feel older than dirt. Then when I’m with you I feel younger than ever before. Younger than I did even when I was a young man.”
“This isn’t an easy life you chose, Viper. It takes its toll. Which means from time to time I plan on kidnapping you for a fun hour or two, maybe even a full day. We’ll go out and have that fun together whenever it may be needed.”
“I like that plan. Thank you, Krista.”
Smiling, she pressed a kiss over his heart before resting her cheek to the spot. “Any time at all, big guy.” She listened to the steady beat from his heart, and combined with the drum from the water, it helped to relax her. They’d all had a stressful few days, and while not everything might be resolved, everyone was home safe and sound. Right where they belonged.
Chapter Eighteen
The call the club got four days later had tension ramping up once more. Viper had made sure not to cross paths with Duke more than necessary while the man came to terms. Krista, on the other hand, seemed determined to acclimatize her old man fast to the situation. The little minx took every opportunity to wrap herself around him, sneak a kiss, and generally make him crazy.
Viper wasn’t complaining—he wasn’t a complete fucking idiot—but he was worried she might be pushing Duke too hard too fast. The man wasn’t having the easiest time with accepting that his daughter, his baby girl, was in a relationship, period. Add to that it was with a club member, something he’d attempted to negate early on, and Duke was walking a fine line. Nadine was helping out, occasionally. The rest of the time the woman seemed to be enjoying her old man’s discomfort. Something that could have Viper’s face meeting Duke’s fists again if both women weren’t careful.
The other club members were acting like everything was business as usual. They didn’t act any differently even when Krista was perched on Viper’s lap. Hell, they still treated her like they always had, like she was family. He’d expected nothing less from them.
Sipping on his coffee, he was in the best position to see Duke first when he came thundering down the stairs. Before his boots hit the floor, he snapped out, “Meeting room, now.”
Viper shared a look with Bones and then followed their president. The last man in shut the door behind him, closing the room off from the non-members. Duke was standing behind his chair, holding on tightly enough that his knuckles were white. He was tightly wound, and this time around Viper knew it had nothing to do with Viper’s relationship with his daughter.
“I just got off the phone with our friends in Texas. That fucker Porter has disappeared. They had him inside a building several hours ago, but he never came out. When they went in looking, the security guard said he’d come in and asked him where the parking-garage access was. It appears the asshole used a side door hidden behind a partial wall to evade detection, and slipped the net.”
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“Which means he knew they were watching him,” Bones said. Blowing out a breath, the VP cracked his knuckles. “What about the Devils? Have they heard anything from Porter?”
“No, or rather, not yet. According to Marx, he got a text saying to be available for an incoming call from an associate of Porter’s down in Texas. Same guy that always gives him a head’s up when Porter’s about to call. No time frame, mind you, which means we’re stuck twiddling our thumbs. I want the clubhouse back in lockdown. Most everyone is here anyway, which will make it easy, but we need to get the kids and hit up the store again.”
“I’ll hit the store with the prospects,” Kip offered. “But we should also get the businesses ready for lockdown tonight. He can’t get back here until early tomorrow morning, which means we’re okay until then. Provided he’s headed straight here.”
“Which we won’t know until he contacts the Devils,” Viper muttered. He pressed his fingers to his temples and rubbed. It was going to be another hellish waiting game.
“If then. We don’t know if Porter will tell them anything. Only good thing is that the fuckers never once asked to talk to either myself or Nadine, so that concern is off the table. He seems fine with taking the Devils’ word that we’re there still. Marx said the Devils are prepared in case Porter comes calling with company to their clubhouse.”
“Yeah, but Porter’s a fucking wild card. No one saw what he was up to until it was too late the last time around. We’re in for another rocky ride here, prez,” Merc pointed out. Not exactly a news flash when dealing with a psycho like Gerry Porter.
“One we are damn well going to be ready for. We expect the fucking worst and hope for the best. I want everyone armed once we shut the gates tonight. Rotating shifts on watch, no one is on longer than four hours, and everyone is teamed up. Two-man teams, two teams on watch at all time with overlapping changes. Prospects are to be on watch too, but only one per shift. They haven’t been through anything like this before, so I want three seasoned members out there with the prospect. I’ll get Nadine and Clarice up to speed on what’s going to happen.” Duke shared a look with them all, and when they remained quiet, he nodded. “Let’s get busy, boys. Shit could get real and fast. I don’t want us caught unaware.”
Viper (Scoundrels MC #1) Page 9
