by Lilly Atlas
“Well, he didn’t need it. He quickly became the teacher’s pet, so to speak. Cutter loved him and after he patched in, he worked hard to make a name for himself. Your father had aspirations of being the future president from the moment we left Washington.” She shrugged. “And he achieved his goal.”
“But after the incident at the bar, he kinda fell outta favor with you guys. That’s what you were saying, right?” Jazz asked, chin resting on her palm. Both women seemed riveted by the story. Especially Shell as this directly pertained to her upbringing.
“Yes. He and Viper only spoke when it was required for club business. He stopped coming over. I barely saw the man. Sometimes at parties, but that was it.”
“Did he and my mom start up right away?” Shell asked.
Cassie pursed her lips as she let the memories in. “Yeah, he tracked her down a few days after the night at the bar. It was on again and off again for a quite a while. Cindy had always struggled with club life. She wanted to be the most important thing in Sarge’s life at all times and didn’t deal well when he’d put the club over her.”
Shell snorted as she rubbed her belly. “Which was pretty much always, since he wanted that president spot so bad. He sure cared about the club more than us when I was a kid. I mean I get it, I’ve grown up in the club and know how it works, but he didn’t care about much else. Mom or I included.”
While she wished she could have reassured Shell that she and her mother were at least as important as the club in her father’s eyes, it just plain wasn’t true and Shell would never believe a platitude.
“So how’d you all reconcile?” Jazz asked. She walked her fingers across the table and swiped a fry from Shell’s plate.
“I saw that!”
“I mean, Sarge made Viper his VP, so you all must have cleared the air and gotten close again.” She shoved the fry in her mouth and chewed it, mouth open in Shell’s face.
“Don’t think I won’t go in there and get it if I’m hungry enough. I’m so sorry for her rudeness, Cassie. Please continue.” She put her palm on Jazz’s face and shoved it away while they both laughed.
It warmed Cassie’s insides to see the ol’ ladies becoming sisters in much the same way the men were brothers. “Eventually, we did reconcile,” She said with a nod. “Took a few years. But, it was Cindy who actually mended the rift between them.”
Shell’s mouth dropped open. “My mom? Really? I find that hard to believe.”
With a chuckle, Cassie made an X over her heart. “I swear it. The club worked with Vito and Marco for a few years before pulling out of the business entirely. Guns were getting too risky. Feds started sniffing around Marco. Cutter was getting older and wanted to move toward the businesses the club has today. Not necessarily legal, but far less risky. Sarge didn’t take it well. The business dealings with Marco had been his baby, and once that tanked, he was adrift for a while. He and Cindy had just gotten engaged and she seemed really dedicated to making things work with him. She managed to convince both Sarge and Viper to talk.”
“Ha,” Jazz said. “I’m sure we all know how she convinced Sarge to talk.” She winked at Shell who made a gagging noise.
“Gross. Can we not imply my mother did some sort of kinky crap to my dad to get what she wanted? Please? I’m trying to actually keep these fries down.” Shell shuddered as she dropped a French fry on the plate with a disgusted look.
Cassie’s face heated. She stared at the table. “Well, okay, Cindy roped me into persuading Viper to talk with Sarge.”
While Shell’s eyes widened, Jazz pumped her fist in the air. “Yeah, Mama V. So you’re saying you did kinky shit to Viper to get your way? Get it, girl.”
With her cheeks burning, Cassie cleared her throat. “It’d been years and it was just time. They were in the same club. Sarge may have had tunnel vision toward becoming the president, but he hadn’t pulled anymore solo stunts. It was time to let bygones be bygones.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jazz waived her hand. “That’s great. Now give us the details of how you got Viper to meet with Sarge. Do you remember?”
When both Cassie and Shell blinked at Jazz, she shrugged. “What? I’ve got two men to keep satisfied. Nothing wrong with looking to add to my repertoire.”
Shell rolled her eyes. “Please continue, Cassie. So what happened? They talked and worked it all out?”
“Sweetie, is this your first day with the club?” Cassie asked making both Shell and Jazz giggle. “They punched each other until they were bruised and bloody, had a few beers, and everything was back to normal.”
Shaking her head, Jazz said, “Men are so fucking weird. Why do they do that shit?”
“You tell us,” Shell said in a droll tone. “You’re the one who’s shacked up with two of them.”
“Um, excuse me?”
All three women turned toward the timid voice. Standing bug-eyed five feet from the booth was none other than Makenna, there for her interview with Jazz. She looked adorable and professional in black slacks and a cranberry button-up. The outfit was faded, but well taken care of.
“Makenna,” Cassie said standing. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
The young woman’s relief at seeing a somewhat familiar face was nearly palpable. Cassie hadn’t mentioned she planned to be there when Makenna arrived for her interview. She remembered all too well how difficult it was searching for a job in a town with no family and friends around for support. Anything she could do to lend a hand and a friendly smile, she would.
She waved her hand. “Come on over, honey. I promise these women won’t bite. As Jazz said, she has two men to bite at home.”
“Seriously, Mama V?” Jazz shot daggers at her with her eyes.
“Well it’s not like she didn’t hear you say it a minute ago.”
“Yeah but now my interviewee thinks I’m some kinda pervert and we really need to hire another server.” She turned toward Makenna. “Please don’t run out of here. It’s true, I have two men and I’m kinky, but I promise I keep my personal life separate from work.”
“Liar,” Shell said, coughing to disguise the remark.
“Uhh…” Makenna just looked between the three of them like they were all crazy. She took one step back but before she could bolt, Cassie slipped her arm through Makenna’s.
Time for damage control.
“Okay, honey, let’s start this over again, shall we? This is Shell. She’s worked here for a few years but will be leaving soon, hence the desperate need for a server.” She pointed to Shell who waved with a sweet smile. “And this is Jazmine. She’s the manager and will be interviewing you.”
“Hi, Makenna, so nice to meet you. Ignore her,” Jazz said, swatting Shell’s shoulder before she stepped out of the booth. She extended a hand to Makenna who shook it with a shy smile. “I promise we are only about half as crazy as we came off.”
That had Makenna smiling and visibly relaxing. “I’m used to crazy so it’s all good.”
“All right. Let’s head on back to my office so we can chat.”
Makenna nodded and followed Jazz with a wave for Cassie and Shell.
Once the women were out of sight, Cassie sat back down in the booth. “I hope that works out. I can’t tell you why, but I just have a feeling that woman needs a break.”
Shell tipped her head to the side. “You know, you are probably the best person I know, Mama V. I truly mean that.”
“That can’t possibly be true.” Warmth filled her heart even as the denial left her lips.
“You’re constantly looking out for others and doing for them. We should all be doing for you right now, and you’re selflessly giving of yourself as always.”
“Pretty sure it doesn’t count as selfless if the distraction keeps me sane right now.”
Reaching across the table, Shell placed her hand over Cassie’s. “It sure does. Many people choose drugs, anger, or even just sleep as their form of escape. You’re out adopting new chicks to mother. You’re the
best there is, and you won’t convince me otherwise.”
Cassie gave her a small smile. “Thanks, sweetie.”
“So how are you, for real?”
“Sad, lonely, a little lost.”
“Is it okay for me to say I’m feeling all those things as well?” Shell asked, voice hitching.
“Oh, sweetie, of course. I’m well aware of how much you loved Viper and how much he loved you. You’re our girl.” She clutched Shell’s hand as her throat thickened. “We’ll all get through this. He won’t tolerate us remaining too sad for too long, you know. He’s likely to start haunting us.”
Shell’s laugh was watery and a bit unsteady. “Don’t cheer me up. I’m supposed to cheer you up.”
“You do, sweetie. Just by being here.” That was one hundred percent the truth. Being around the younger generation in the club kept her feeling fresh and lifted her spirits.
Shell climbed out of her side of the booth and came around to Cassie’s. She put an arm around Cassie’s waist and rested her head on her shoulder. “He loved you so much, Mama V. He knew how lucky he was to have you. You two had a relationship that was enviable and admirable. You rarely fought, never had any ugly breakups, no major drama. Once you got together, there wasn’t anything that could have torn you apart.”
A humorless chuckle escaped. “Uh, that’s not entirely true, you know. We actually broke up once. I thought it was over for good.”
Shell popped her head up. “What? You’re kidding.”
“Not kidding.”
“Oh, my gosh, I had no idea. Do you mind telling me about it?” The curiosity and shock in her gaze almost had Cassie laughing. No relationship was perfect. Even the closest of couples had issues on occasion.
“Sure. It happened right after your parents got married…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
1987 - TENNESSEE
Thunder rumbled through the town as Viper hit the throttle and sped toward home. A peek at his mirror revealed angry gray clouds inching closer with every second. Another clap of thunder brought torrents of rain, soaking him and slicking the mountain roads. Lightning streaked across the sky followed by another earth-shuddering boom. And another. And another. This time, his body shook with the ground—
“Viper! Viper wake up!”
Cassie? She hadn’t come on this ride with him. Wasn’t she supposed to be at work?
“Viper! Someone is at the door. Wake. Up.”
This time her harsh whisper and vigorous shake cut through the dense fog of sleep. He shot up in bed, automatically reaching for the pistol he kept in the nightstand.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
“What the fuck is that noise?” On full alert, his body readied itself for a fight.
Cassie clutched his arm. “Someone’s pounding on the door. They have been for the past few minutes.”
“Christ.” He ran a hand down his face, waking up half-asleep nerve endings. The phone hadn’t rung since the previous afternoon. Who the fuck would come over in the middle of the night without calling? Whoever the fuck it was better be goddammed bleeding. He flipped on the bedside light, grabbed his gun, and stood.
“Viper, it’s three in the morning.” Her voice held a tremor of fear as she clutched the sheet to her chest. “Should I call the police or something?”
Police? Was she still asleep? “Babe…”
Cassie held up her hand and rolled her eyes. “I know, stupid suggestion. I’m just kinda freaking out here. Please be careful.”
Bam. Bam. Bam.
He grabbed the back of her head and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “I got this. Just stay here.” Another kiss then he was heading toward the hallway.
“Viper!” Cassie’s whisper-yell stopped him in his tracks.
He turned to find her kneeling in the center of the bed wearing nothing but a skimpy tank top and even skimpier panties. All that gorgeous red hair stuck out in a million directions from the way he’d ravaged her before bed. The only reason he should be up at three a.m. is to take advantage of all that sexy. Not to see who was busting down his door.
“You’re in your underwear!”
He shrugged. Big deal. He wasn’t gonna waste more time searching for pants. Whoever made the mistake of waking him up would have to deal with seeing the outline of his dick. “Mean it, babe,” he said pointing at her. “Do not get out of this bed. I’ll whoop that fine ass if you come down those stairs. And not in the way you like.” With a wink he hoped would settle her nerves, he left her alone in their bedroom.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
“Calm your fucking tits,” he muttered under his breath as he jogged down the steps. When he reached the first floor, he chambered around and slinked toward the front door, back pressed to the wall. The bright moon illuminated a hulking shadow easily seen through the gauzy curtains Cassie had hung over the glass.
As he crept to the door with the intention of using his gun to move the curtains and peek out the window, he heard, “Viper, I fucking see you. Open the dammed door and let me in before your neighbors have me hauled away for fuck’s sake.”
With a heavy exhale, Viper lowered his gun. Tomorrow that door was being replaced with solid fucking wood. “Sarge?” What the fuck? The man was supposed to be in Florida, halfway through his honeymoon.
“Open the door, asshole.”
“Christ.” He flipped on the foyer light, unlocked the deadbolt, then opened the door.
Sarge bust into the house like his ass was on fire. “Guess you’re not happy to see me, huh?” he asked with a laugh as he blatantly stared at the outline of Viper’s flaccid dick in his boxer briefs.
“Fuck no, I’m not happy to see you. Why the fuck aren’t you in Florida?” Viper asked, placing his gun on a small table in the foyer. He ran a hand through his hair. Though he’d been awake a good few minutes now, his brain still felt the need for sleep and wasn’t functioning at full capacity. “Is Cindy okay?”
Sarge grabbed his shoulders. The grin stretching across his face was the happiest Viper had seen on the man in ages. “Cindy’s fucking great. That woman sucks dick like no other.”
Not the first thing Viper would spout when bragging about his new wife, but to each his own. No one had ever accused Sarge of being a gentleman.
“So why are you here? You do know what time it is, right?”
“Who gives a fuck about the time when I have news as fantastic as this?” He gave Viper a little shake.
As his head rattled, he tried to step back, but Sarge’s grip tightened. The man seemed almost manic tonight. This morning? What the fuck time was it again?
“It happened, brother. It finally fucking happened.” Sarge pulled Viper in close, pressed a kiss to his head, then released him with a shove. He practically bounced through the house on his way to the kitchen. “This calls for a drink to fucking celebrate.”
A dull ache formed right under the spot Sarge had kissed him. His brother had been in the house a few minutes and instead of clearing shit up, all he’d done was make Viper concerned for his mental state.
“Uhh, Sarge, you on something, brother?” he asked as he trailed the man to his kitchen.
“Did a few lines of coke a bit ago. But I’m good.”
What? Since when was he using? He’d mostly asked the question in jest.
One mystery at a time. “What is it we are celebrating?”
Since he’d practically lived with them when they first got the house, Sarge knew where everything was kept, including the booze. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses. “Cutter is fucking dead.” With that bomb, he lifted his glass and tossed back the entire contents in one swallow.
“Wh—uh…holy fuck. Did you just say our president died?” Viper dropped into a chair at the kitchen table. Their president was dead? Sure, he’d lived a hard life, but, shit, he’d only been sixty-eight. “What happened?”
Sarge shrugged and poured a second glass. “Heart attack. Swear to Christ, brother, soon as West
called me, I fucking pulled outta Cin, tossed her some clothes, and we were at the airport begging to get on the next flight. Thought I was gonna have to offer Cindy’s services if you know what I mean,” he said with a laugh.
Viper blinked, then did it again. Was he dreaming? A quick tug at the hair on his arm verified he was awake, just fucking baffled. “Wh—” Where should he even start? “How come I haven’t heard anything?” He grabbed the glass Sarge had poured for him and took a long, slow sip.
Sarge tossed his second swallow back as quick as the first. “Ahh,” he said, smacking his lips. “You buy good shit, brother.” He set the glass down. “West said Prez kicked it around six this evening. The family asked to hold off on telling the club until tomorrow morning, so his wife and daughters had some time to say goodbye on their own.”
Made sense. West was their president’s nephew. A good guy who worked his tail off for the club but had no interest in filling his uncle’s shoes as president. Hell, he didn’t even want the responsibility of being on the exec board. He and Sarge had become close over the years. Before Sarge and Cindy got married, they’d rented a house together. It wasn’t any wonder West called Sarge despite the gag order.
The confusion came from Sarge’s almost gleeful response to their president’s death. “You didn’t have to rush home, brother. Funeral probably won’t happen for a week or so. You and Cin coulda stayed and enjoyed the rest of your honeymoon.”
With a snort, he poured a third healthy glass of whiskey. “This is not the time to be MIA, brother. You snooze, you fucking lose. Got something to ask you.”
“Sure. Anything.” And he meant it. Even five years later, Viper hadn’t shaken the notion that he owed Sage. That he’d always be in the man’s debt for his help in rescuing Cassie.
Sarge lifted the tumbler to his lips. “Wanna be my number two?” he asked before swallowing the liquid.
“What?” Cassie’s startled exclamation had both men whipping their heads in her direction. She stood at the mouth of the kitchen wearing a shirt of his that hit her at the knees. Adorable didn’t come close to describing her with her mussed hair, sleepy eyes, and bare feet with the pale pink toenails. Only problem was the frown on her face. That and the fact he told her not to leave the bed.