Winter’s legs were trembling as she sank down onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands.
“You’ll get tired of me one day when a new prospect or hanger on walks in the clubhouse door and you’ll leave me again. That’s what you always did Loker, you left me for other women before and you’ll do it again.”
“Winter, look at me,” Viper said gently.
Winter reluctantly looked up. He was staring back at her with tears in his eyes. “Pretty girl, this time it’s not me leaving, it’s you.”
“I’m still in love with you Loker,” she heart wrenchingly confessed as tears slid from the corner of her eyes.
“I know, Winter. I’ve known all along you never stopped loving me. I knew when you stayed at the clubhouse, when you started helping me with my work, and when you decided to become a member of The Last Riders.” The only one Winter had managed to fool was herself, she thought in self-contempt.
“It was the only thing I had to hold onto to make the nightmare of almost losing you bearable. I believed that once you found out who I was, you wouldn’t be able to accept that and I wanted you to have the choice. The accident did change my feelings, I agree with you there, but not the way you think Winter,” Viper saw the resignation in her eyes. “My feelings changed because I was no longer going to give you a choice in the matter. I pretended I was, even to myself. Right up to the point you sent me that text. You’re mine, regardless of whether you want to be or not. If you even think of looking at
another man, I will kill the motherfucker. If you try to leave me again, I will lock you in my room. And if you ever, and I mean ever, tell me you’re not pretty again I will beat your ass until you can’t sit for a week. Do you understand me?”
Winter didn’t know a man could yell and cry at the same time. For the first time, Winter ran into his open arms.
Viper’s arm’s closed tightly around her, burying his face in her neck “I was so fucking stupid, I almost lost you. That punk ever gets out of prison, I’m going to kill him.”
“You kind of have a violent streak, do you know that?” Winter informed him. “I saw Carmen the other day and she doesn’t think Jake was the one who hurt me. She said he only confessed because of the plea he was offered.”
“He took a plea deal because he was guilty as hell. Cash is the one who tracked him into the mountains,” he said unsympathetically.
“She seemed pretty convinced, Viper.”
“I’ll talk to Cash.”
She nodded her head against his chest.
“Can we go home now? Your neighbors will probably start calling the Sheriff’s office and there is no reason to ruin his Friday night.”
Winter lifted her head. “Is that all you guys look forward to is Friday?” She teased.
“With you in my bed, it’s Friday all week.” Blushing at his compliment, she stepped away from him to get her purse and phone. They went to the door and Viper flipped off the lights, making sure the door was locked and they went to his bike. Winter kept her head lowered, embarrassed that the whole club was on her doorstep.
Winter climbed on the huge bike behind Viper and two by two they pulled out with Viper in the lead and Razer bringing up the rear. She tightened her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his back as they flew through the night.
***
Winter folded the clothes and put the laundry basket on the table in the laundry room for the members to come and get their clothes. She was humming as she put the clothes in the dryer.
“There is someone here to see you.”
Winter turned in surprise to see Viper standing in the doorway.
Winter was surprised. No one had visited her since her return. “Who is it?”
“Don’t know. She said you had an appointment with her this morning and you missed it.” He looked at her quizzically.
“Damn, it must be my lawyer from the teacher’s union. I had an appointment with her last week and canceled it. I forgot we had rescheduled it for today.” Angry with herself for forgetting such an important appointment, she hurried upstairs leaving Viper to his workout.
The lawyer was waiting for her in the front room. The woman was immaculate in a dress suit, just the way she used to dress for school. Winter didn’t miss that aspect of her job.
The woman extended her hand. “Ms. Simmons?” She was tall, and curvy, making Winter feel small beside her.
“Yes. Ms. Richards? I want to apologize for missing our meeting this morning.”
The woman smiled. “I should have called yesterday and confirmed the appointment. Let’s both admit we’re to blame and move on from there. Is there someplace we can sit and talk?”
Winter bit her lip. She didn’t want to take her upstairs to her and Viper’s room, which left only one place.
“Would the couch by the window be okay?” Winter pointed to a couch with a side table. It was at the end of the room so that if any of the members came in, they wouldn’t be able to hear their discussion.
“That would be fine.” Winter was nervous. None of members were working since Friday was their off day. With any luck, their meeting would be quick. Both women sat on the couch and Winter watched as Ms. Richards placed her briefcase between them.
“I requested your work record from the superintendent’s office and I was happy to see that during your employment you were an exemplary employee. That is going to help our case. I understand that they wanted you to resign and you refused.”
Winter explained about her attack and the following months of her recuperation. She didn’t hold back any information, well aware of how dirty some of these cases could become.
“Are you fully recovered?” Ms. Richards kept her face impassive throughout her explanation.
“Not fully. I still have several issues with my leg and back, but nothing that would prevent me from doing my job.”
“So, there aren’t any physical issues that would hinder you from moving back into your home?” She asked.
“No.” Winter refused to look away. “This is my home now. It will not affect how I do my job. I haven’t committed a crime. The school board might not approve of my living arrangements, but I do know that I haven’t been convicted of any crime.”
The lawyer nodded her head as she studied the paperwork. “I think we may be able to get your job back. Worst case scenario is they let you go with a damaging reference. I am going to try to set a date for a meeting with the school board as soon as possible, but they are going to try and delay it. I really don’t see you returning to school this year.”
“I expected that,” Winter acknowledged.
“I’ll call and make another appointment to go over a few other things after I hear back from the school’s attorney.”
“I promise not to forget it this time,” Winter stated. Ms. Richards was putting the papers back in her briefcase when Knox came down the stairs with Natasha and Jewell at his side as the women were laughing at something he said. The women were wearing t-shirts and panties and Knox had on just a pair of jeans. Winter wanted to sink through the floor.
Knox and Natasha sat at the bar as Jewell got them each a beer.
Ms. Richards rose to her feet with her briefcase. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Simmons.”
“Please call me Winter.” The lawyer nodded, but didn’t extend the same courtesy. A shrill laugh sounded loud in the room, drawing their attention to see Knox rubbing his cold beer bottle against Natasha’s breast. Winter was just thankful that he hadn’t bared it first. “Let me show you to the door.” Winter hurried her to the door, trying to block her view of the three at the bar, but with her so much taller than Winter, it was useless. She didn’t need to bother; the woman didn’t glance in that direction again, no longer able to
hide her contempt of the situation. Winter braced her shoulders following her to the door. It was no one’s business how she lived her private life. She didn’t worry about what skeletons were in everyone else’s closets. Winter knew it was a lost cause. If she lived in a larger city where she could remain fairly autonomous, the outcome might be different, but Treepoint residents judged with their own set of values.
Knox and the women finally noticed the stranger in the room and he removed his hand from Natasha’s ass, letting the t-shirt cover her flesh. He gave the woman a smile, but it was not returned. Ms. Richards turned her head away, flat out snubbing the man. Winter almost laughed at his expression.
“I will be talking to you soon.” Winter closed the door behind the lawyer, both hopeful and resigned as to what would happen.
Chapter 17
Winter slid her feet into the sandals she had purchased to match her outfit. She was dressed in a simple blue dress that paired with the flashy sandals which gave her a casual appearance. Brushing her hair, she decided to leave it loose since it had grown over the last two months and she was now able to pull it back. The noises coming from downstairs were getting more vocal; Beth’s bachelorette party had been looked forward to for the last week, building the women’s enthusiasm to a fever pitch.
Several of the women had gone to town for a new outfit, herself included. The apparel varied, from simple to the biker bitch. She had chosen simple, knowing Lily would be there and she would be nervous about sticking out among the women.
“Let’s go!” Natasha’s yell from downstairs had doors from the upstairs banging open as the women rushed to answer her summons. Winter grabbed her purse making sure her license was inside. She planned to be the designated driver, although she didn’t have high hopes of keeping the rowdy women’s drinking under control.
The women were all waiting at the bottom of the stairs while the men slung back beers at the bar, unhappily watching the women all decked out to party without them. Razer on the other hand, had his arm around Beth’s shoulder who was wearing a pink ‘Bride to be’ t-shirt and a modest blue jean skirt. She was a knockout in her outfit and the happiness shining from her eyes caught Winter in the throat.
“What are you thinking about?” Viper asked, coming to her side.
“They are perfect together.” Winter nodded toward the engaged couple.
Viper smiled at her pulling her to his side. “You look pretty tonight.”
“You’re not disappointed?” Viper frowned at her answer.
“Why would I be disappointed in the way you’re dressed?”
“I am not dressed like the others.” She couldn’t even wear high heels because of her back. She stared enviously at Evie’s high heeled biker bitch boots.
“Winter, you look beautiful. I don’t care what you’re wearing, but if you want to borrow those boots for later, I’m all for it. There won’t be much walking involved.” She laughed at his reply. She had learned over the last two months that he had a fetish for high heels. She couldn’t walk in them for more than a few minutes before Viper would drag her into his arms and show her his appreciation.
“Let’s go or Bliss is going to miss the party.” Evie nudged everyone out the door. As Winter took a step forward, Viper swept her up into his arms.
“There is no way you’re going down those steps in the dark.” Winter circled his neck with her arms and let him carry her to the vehicle. They had decided to take Beth’s SUV because it would hold almost everyone. Evie would drive her car with the rest, but if she planned to drink, Mick would drive them home and the men would pick up the car tomorrow.
The women broke into a chorus of raunchy songs on the way to Rosie’s. Winter couldn’t help but laugh at their antics, enjoying camaraderie among the friends. Lily was already at the bar waiting for them to arrive. Beth had dropped her off there before going to the clubhouse to get dressed. Winter had been surprised, but Beth had explained that Lily had wanted to decorate the tables. Mick had promised to keep the doors locked until they returned; she had felt safe leaving her with the burly bartender. Lily had gone to church with Mick for years and was not frightened or intimidated by his huge frame.
The women arrived at the bar and at their knock, Mick unlocked the doors and the group of women entered, ready to party. Lily had done a good job decorating. There were balloons everywhere and bride to be banners. Winter couldn’t help but smile as Lily anxiously waited for her sister’s reaction. Beth caught her close for a hug, pulling her into the large group at the table. Lily had pushed several tables together so they could all sit together.
Mick brought a huge tray of drinks. Winter watched as everyone grabbed a glass.
“What did you fix for us this time?” Evie asked. Mick liked to pride himself on the drinks he made. He could serve beer and whiskey all day, but he liked to surprise the women with the girly girl drinks they liked occasionally.
“Pixie stix martinis.”
“Whoop, Whoop!” The women yelled.
“Damn Mick, you outdid yourself this time,” Evie complimented him after taking a drink. Winter could have sworn the hard ass bartender blushed bright red. He set a drink in front of Lily and Winter with a wink. Fixed you two girls some designated tinis.”