Viper

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  “Calling Cassie,” the digital voice said.

  When the other line picked up, it sounded like pandemonium in the background with kids shrieking and a dog frantically barking.

  “Autumn?” The woman on the other end sounded winded.

  “Hands full?” Autumn laughed. “How would you like to get your parents to babysit so you can meet me at the mall for some fun? I have a project for you.”

  “Ohh! Make-over?” Cassie asked.

  “I have someone I want you to meet. If she wants to tell you her story, that’s up to her, but she definitely needs your help. The wolf she’s interested in gave her fifty dollars and she only owns three hand-me-down outfits.” Autumn cut her eyes toward Scarlet. “And if they look like the one she has on, she needs an entire wardrobe. Skin out.”

  Cassie squealed. “Give me a half hour to change and get my mom over here. I’ll meet you at the food court. Snag a cup of coffee or something and wait for me.”

  “See you soon.” Autumn ended the call.

  “Does she run a daycare?” Scarlet asked.

  Autumn laughed. “No, but she has five kids. The oldest is around ten, I think.”

  Scarlet stared at her, wide-eyed. “Did she have one every year or something?”

  “About every other year. I’d like to say she’s done having kids, but I might be lying. Pretty soon she’s going to need a new house, but that shouldn’t be an issue. Her husband owns a lot of property around Ashton Grove. They’re completely loaded, so if she offers to buy stuff for you, just say thank you and keep going. A shopping spree isn’t going to break their bank account, and Cassie loves to help.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Autumn pulled into a parking space in the mall parking lot and they walked toward the main entrance. After snagging some coffee and pastries, they claimed a table at the edge of the food court and settled in to wait for Cassie. Scarlet had a feeling she was going to like the woman. She definitely admired her. Anyone who kept up with five kids deserved a medal.

  About twenty minutes later, a harried woman rushed toward them, a smile on her face. She plopped into the chair next to Scarlet and held out her hand.

  “I’m Cassie. You must be the woman in need of a wardrobe.”

  “Scarlet. And thank you for your help.”

  “So your man only gave you fifty, huh?” Cassie rolled her eyes. “Men just have no concept of what a decent wardrobe costs these days. Did he expect you to hit the thrift stores?”

  “Probably.”

  “Well, when I’m finished with you, he’ll be the envy of every wolf in the pack. You’re a beautiful woman, but we’re going to enhance your looks with a little make-up, some cute clothes, and…” She reached over and fingered Scarlet’s hair. “Maybe a haircut with some highlights.”

  Her eyes widened. “I only have until noon.”

  Cassie clucked. “That won’t do. Autumn, call that hunky man of yours and tell him we’re going to take Scarlet hostage for the day and we’ll return her by dinner. Maybe get Gabriel to invite her man over for steaks or something.”

  “I can do that.” Autumn pulled out her phone and began texting.

  “I thought you were going to call,” Scarlet said.

  “And give him time to say no?” Autumn shook her head. “I learned a long time ago that if you send a text, you can always say you didn’t see their reply. If you call, you can’t pretend you didn’t hear them.”

  Autumn dropped her phone into her purse and finished off her coffee. Cassie was staring at Scarlet and starting to make her uncomfortable.

  “Do I have something in my teeth?” she asked.

  “No. You just…look familiar.”

  “I don’t believe we’ve met. And I doubt you travel in the same circles as an orphan from the wrong side of the tracks.”

  Cassie studied her a little harder. “You don’t know who your parents are?”

  Scarlet shook her head.

  “This is going to seem weird, but may I send your picture to my husband? I want to see if he sees the same thing I do.”

  “I… I guess that’s okay.”

  Cassie smiled and snapped her picture before texting it to her husband, then she rose and held out her hand. “Come on, let’s go beautify you.”

  Scarlet wondered just what she’d signed up for as she let the brunette pull her to her feet and begin dragging her from shop to shop.

  Chapter Five

  Viper scowled at the alpha. “What do you mean she isn’t coming home by noon?”

  “Autumn introduced her to a friend of the pack and they are spending the day at the mall and then a spa. I’m not entirely sure what that involves, and I never ask. Just make sure you compliment her on her hair and nails when you see her again. I’m sure at least one of them will be different.” Gabriel smiled. “Will it really be so bad having the afternoon to yourself?”

  “No. There are things I can do, but then I have to come back here to pick her up whenever she’s done.”

  “I’ll have someone in my pack drop her by your place when she returns. Then you don’t have to worry about coming to pick her up. Sound all right?”

  Viper nodded. “That should be fine. As long as they realize she’s off limits.”

  Gabriel’s lips twitched. “I’ll make sure they know she’s spoken for.”

  “Then I’m out of here.” Viper tossed aside the towel he’d been holding and pulled his keys from his pocket. Striding over to his Night Rod Special, he swung his leg over the seat, and started the engine. Without a backward glance, he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the clubhouse.

  When he pulled in next to the other bikes out front, he frowned at the silence. For so many of his crew to be present, there should be laughter and music spilling out of the place, but it was as silent as a tomb. He pushed the door open and scanned the interior, seeing some party girls and no one else. With a long-legged stride, Viper made his way to the boardroom. The table was full, every seat taken but his own.

  “What the fuck? You guys are holding church and didn’t even tell me?” Viper scowled at them before claiming his seat.

  “Actually, we were discussing you.” The VP steepled his hands in front of him. “Scarlet and you to be exact. We’ve put this club on the line for her, taken out another M.C. because your woman was taken, and yet…she isn’t really your woman, is she? You won’t resign her to the life of a party girl and you don’t claim her as your old lady. Which means there’s no place here for Scarlet.”

  “What exactly are you saying?” Viper asked.

  “We’re saying you can’t keep Scarlet,” Preacher said. “Not unless you’re going to claim her for real. She was spotted at the mall today with the alpha’s mate. She’d fit in nicely with that lifestyle, more so than she does here.”

  “Scarlet is mine.” He bared his fangs and growled, seeing the room through his wolf’s eyes. “No one is taking her from me.”

  “I think it’s safe to say we all know your wolf wants her,” Scorch said. “The question remains, does the man want her?”

  “Scarlet isn’t ready to be claimed,” Viper said. “She was horribly abused by the Red Devils. You think she’s just going to fall right into bed with me? I need time. She needs time. As for the other, you’re right. She would fit better into that lifestyle. But the only way Scarlet is joining the pack, is if I join with her.”

  Scorch’s eyes widened. “You’d leave the M.C. for the pack?”

  Viper shrugged. “I haven’t made any decisions yet. I love you, all of you. You’re my family, but if I want Scarlet in my life, I have to think about what’s right for her. I can’t see her hanging with the old ladies, not that there’s anything wrong with your mates, but she’s just…out of place.”

  “You’d give up your bike for a woman?” Preacher asked.

  “Fuck no! Even the alpha has a Harley. There’s no reason I can’t still ride. I just wouldn’t be riding with y’all.”

&
nbsp; Preacher studied him a moment. “Let me speak with the alpha. Maybe we can come up with an alternative for you. I’d hate to lose you. When it comes to punishing the wicked, you’re one of the best. And while the alpha likes his pack to walk the straight and narrow, I don’t think he’d be against a little vigilante justice when it comes to abused women.”

  “Does this have anything to do with what we discussed earlier?” Scorch asked.

  Preacher nodded. “I might as well tell all of you while we’re together. I’m forming a task force of sorts. I’m going to select five men to keep their eyes and ears open for women in trouble, and it will be the responsibilities of those men to extract the women and get them to safety. I was going to discuss the issue with the alpha and see if his pack would give them shelter.”

  Viper could see where this was heading. They would need someone to act as a liaison between the pack and the M.C. And if Viper was correct, he’d the one they’d choose. It would be a balancing act, being in two worlds, but if it meant he could keep his brotherhood and keep his woman, it would be worth it. He nodded and looked around the table, judging the expressions of his brothers to see what they thought of the matter.

  “If you form this task force, I want in on it,” Ghost said.

  “I do too,” Axel said. Viper looked at the Sergeant-at-Arms warily. He had no doubt that Axel Bloodmoon wanted in on it so he could torture the shit out of the assholes who abducted the women. The Seminole had always given him the chills.

  “I’m sure I’ll have lots of volunteers,” Preacher said. “But if Axel, Ghost, and Viper want to take it on, I’ll let them decide who joins their ranks. Axel, you’re in charge of the group. Viper, I want you to be the point person between the M.C. and the pack.”

  Viper snorted, it was just as he’d thought. Take a legitimate job and suddenly you’re the face of the M.C. when it came to politics and citizens. Just what he fucking needed, but if it let him keep Scarlet, he’d keep the bitching to a minimum.

  “I think we’re done for the day. Axel, get your new team together to get the ball rolling. I want y’all to start kicking ass before the first of the month.” Preacher smacked the gavel on the table. “Everyone get the fuck out.”

  Viper met Axel and Ghost at a table near the back of the clubhouse and motioned for the bartender, a Prospect that Viper thought had good potential, to bring them a round of drinks. If they were going to plot the destruction of the underbelly of Ashton Grove and the outlying areas, they were definitely going to need some alcohol.

  ****

  Scarlet ran her fingers through her hair again. “You’re sure it isn’t too short? I thought men liked long hair.”

  Autumn smiled at her over the rim of her coffee cup. “It’s still long, Scarlet. It just doesn’t hang down to your waist anymore. It looks so much healthier and the layers give it a softer look.”

  Scarlet brushed her newly shorn bangs out of her face. “If you’re sure…”

  Autumn nodded. “Viper is going to love it. That’s what you’re really worried about, isn’t it?”

  “I want him to want me, Autumn. I don’t just want to be property to him. I want…”

  “To be needed? Desired? Adored?” Autumn asked.

  Scarlet nodded.

  “I know just how to ensure you have his attention when you get home.” Autumn smiled. “How do you feel about wolves other than Viper?”

  “Why?” Scarlet narrowed her eyes. “What are you plotting?”

  “I saw Austin checking out your ass as you walked across the street this morning. What do you say we get him to take you home? Or maybe we should use Hunter. He has a motorcycle so Viper might genuinely worry then.”

  “But my bags…”

  Autumn waved a hand. “I’ll call the clubhouse and ask for one of their… what do they call them? Prospects? I’ll have one of them come collect your new belongings and deliver them to you. I think it’s time the M.C. realized we aren’t afraid of them and we aren’t scared to put them to work.”

  “Just don’t step on Preacher’s toes,” Scarlet warned. “The man may smile a lot when women are present, but there’s a coldness to his eyes that frightens me.”

  “The Loup Garous M.C. is known for protecting women. I highly doubt he’s going to come after a pregnant mate, even if she is mouthy.”

  Scarlet smiled.

  “Now,” Autumn said. “Spin so I can check out your new clothes.”

  Scarlet did a slow turn, loving the way the jeans hugged her hips and thighs. She wore some strappy heels and a snug sleeveless shirt that had a bow at the shoulder. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so feminine. If Viper liked it, it would be worth the torture she went through trying on one outfit after another all morning. The hair and nails portion of the day had been heavenly. Cassie had even treated all three of them to a massage. Although, Scarlet had to admit, it had been rather strange to have the man’s hands all over her, and a few times she’d thought she was going to panic and pass out. But she’d kept reminding herself that he meant no harm and she was safe, and everything had turned out okay.

  Autumn picked up her phone and sent a quick text then smiled that secretive smile of hers. Scarlet had no doubt that she’d messaged the mysterious Hunter. She hoped Viper had a good sense of humor. If this backfired, she could find herself out on her ass and not in his bed.

  Scarlet heard the front door slam shut and a man called out Autumn’s name.

  “In the kitchen,” Autumn yelled back.

  A tall, very good looking, blond man came into the room and Scarlet found herself staring at him. He had an easy smile and his eyes lit in appreciation when he saw her. Oh hell. Viper wasn’t going to like this at all. Scarlet wasn’t sure if her wolf would go into a jealous rage and boot her ass out the door, or just try to take this wolf down to the ground. Either way, it had trouble written all over it.

  “I need you to take Scarlet home,” Autumn said. “You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”

  “Not at all.” His smile widened and he held out his hand. “I’m Hunter.”

  Scarlet shook his hand, but it didn’t give her tingles the way Viper’s touch did.

  “Thank you for the ride,” she said softly, shooting a glance at Autumn, who looked way too pleased with herself.

  “Why didn’t Viper come pick you up?” Hunter asked. “You’re his girlfriend, right?”

  Scarlet shook her head. “We’re not dating. But…I do belong to him.”

  The smile slipped from Hunter’s face. “Belong to him? What the hell does that mean?”

  “Viper won Scarlet in a game of poker,” Autumn said.

  At her words, Scarlet saw the wolf lurking in Hunter’s eyes. He wasn’t pleased with the thought of someone betting women. There was a soft growl that escaped his lips, but he seemed to get himself back under control.

  “No one should own another person,” Hunter said. “If you want to leave that asshole, I’ll help you do it.”

  “Thank you,” Scarlet said. “But Viper has been good to me. It isn’t as bad as it sounds. My life with the Red Devils was horrible, but Viper has never laid a hand on me in anger. He treats me well.” For property, the voice in her head whispered. She wanted to be more to him than just a bet, and she wasn’t sure this was the way to do it.

  “Come on,” Hunter said, holding out his hand. “Let’s get you home.”

  Scarlet took his hand and gave Autumn a worried glance as she let the wolf drag her out the door and down to the motorcycle in the driveway. She climbed on behind Hunter and wrapped her arms around his waist. For a moment, he placed a hand over her clasped hands and gave a gentle squeeze, then he started the bike and they were off. Not once did he ask where Viper lived, and she wondered how he knew where to find her wolf. It worried her that the pack seemed to know so much about the M.C. and she wondered if Preacher realized the wolves were keeping a close eye on them.

  Great. Now she was thinking like an old lady,
and that was a position she might not ever have, and wasn’t sure she wanted. Those ladies were hardcore from what she’d seen and had all started out as party girls. They’d chosen the life while it had been thrust upon Scarlet. She’d never have willingly spread her legs for all those bikers, but Viper…she would gladly go to his bed, if he ever asked her. She just had to hope her new look would be enough to keep him out of everyone else’s bed. Scarlet didn’t like to share.

  As they pulled down Viper’s street, she watched the front door of the house open and saw her wolf step out onto the stoop. He folded his arms over his chest and gave Hunter a fierce scowl. The bike came to a stop, the engine idling, as Hunter helped her off the motorcycle. He gave Viper a mocking salute, before turning and heading back the way he’d come.

  “What. The. Fuck?” Viper growled. “If you want to fuck someone, all you have to do is say the word, Scarlet. You don’t have to get all dolled up and hang on to whatever biker comes along.”

  She frowned, her hands fisting at her sides. “I didn’t do this for him.” Asshole.

  Viper came down the stairs and stopped in front of her. “Then who did you do it for? Because it sure as hell wasn’t for me. I liked you just fine the way you were.”

  “If that were the case, you wouldn’t have been screwing everything in a skirt and ignoring me. You relegate me to the guestroom while you fuck every woman that walks through the clubhouse doors. What was I supposed to think except that you didn’t find me attractive?”

  Viper scanned her from head to toe. “So the mouse wants in my bed? Is that it?”

  She arched a brow. “I’m not a mouse. I think I’ve recently proven that.”

  “Keep pushing and see if you don’t end up stripped and fucked before you have a chance to utter another word.”

  Scarlet moved closer, their bodies nearly touching, and then placed her hands on his chest and shoved him, not that he moved so much as an inch. The wolf within came to the fore and peered out through Viper’s eyes. With a soft growl, he reached for her, tossed her over his shoulder, and marched back into the house, slamming the door behind him. She had a rather nice view of his denim-clad ass as he carried her down the hall to his bedroom.