“This won’t take away the punishment, but it will lessen the severity. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Thank you Winter, it was eating me alive thinking that Gavin’s child was out there somewhere.” Viper never had any intention of letting her leave, but this way he was able to relent without showing favoritism. Everyone in the club was held to the same rules, even himself. Winter had to learn that in public he was the President of The Last Riders, that only in their bedroom could she have more leeway.
“I know,” Winter said softly.
“Did she say who the father was?” Jewell asked.
“No, but I didn’t ask, I was afraid to push for too much information.”
“I’m going to call and tell Ton, then the Sheriff. Maybe now that we have a doctor’s name there is hope of finding the kid.”
“You’re going to keep looking even though the child isn’t Gavin’s?” Winter asked in surprise.
“It’s someone’s child and we have a responsibility to make sure that the child is safe and cared for,” Viper said.
“How is it your responsibility? The baby isn’t Gavin’s you have no connection to the child.” Winter had planned on beginning to search for the child herself. However distant the child was, it was a relative of hers.
“I do as a human being. There is a child out there who has disappeared and no one but a bitch of a mother and a murderous grandfather knows what happened. I think we all have a responsibility to make sure the kid’s in a safe environment.”
“Me too.” Winter lowered her head in shame. She had misunderstood this group of people from the beginning, she deserved whatever punishment they gave her.
Chapter 12
Winter went upstairs while Viper made his calls. She thought he might come upstairs when he was done, but he was conspicuously absent until dinner. Winter went downstairs to the kitchen and wasn’t surprised when the conversation quieted when she entered. Fixing a plate of food, she went to sit at the table with Evie and Knox, but they threw her a dirty look before taking their plates and moving to another table.
She sat down at the empty table forcing the food down her throat so that she could escape, when she felt a chair pulled out beside her and someone sat down next to her. Winter looked up to find Beth staring back at her. A chair scraping had Razer sitting down in tight-lipped anger. Winter couldn’t blame him.
“I am so sorry Beth, I was angry at Viper and took it out on the club, you in particular,” Winter apologized.
Beth picked up her fork. “Don’t worry about it Winter, it was only a few months ago that I believed the same thing. I have become very close to The Last Riders and now I can’t imagine my life without them. When Razer and I get married, we still plan on going back and forth between my house and the club until Lily graduates, then I plan on giving her the house. Razer and I want to build a house for us behind this one. They are his family and they have become mine. If you let them in, they can be the very best thing that could happen to you,” Beth advised.
“I already know that Beth. When I went out today, I didn’t even think of going by my house to check on it or consider moving back. Then when I came here and Viper said what he did, I lost my temper. It’s no excuse, but I just wanted you to know I didn’t mean to be a bitch,” Winter said miserably.
“You could never be a bitch,” Beth lied.
“You’re too nice for your own good.” They laughed and even Razer relaxed as they ate their dinner. Winter didn’t see Viper during dinner; afterwards she went back upstairs to find it still empty. Too early for bed, she turned the television on watched a
movie until she knew Viper wasn’t coming back that night. Holding back hurt tears, she took a shower and climbed into the bed. Trying not to think about where he was sleeping or with whom, she slept restlessly until she felt the bed depress and Viper pull her close. A tiny sob escaped.
“Go to sleep,” he murmured. She nodded her head while sinking into the soft mattress, finally letting a deep sleep take her.
***
The rest of the week passed quickly. Each night Viper didn’t come to bed until well after she had gone to sleep. Her eyes had circles underneath from imagining him with the different women. It was hurting her so much she couldn’t sleep. She would have moved back home if not for the punishment the club would give her that night. Winter was determined to face the music and accept whatever punishment they gave her to make amends for her harsh words.
It was midday before she remembered that she needed to take her doctor’s release to the Administration office. Beth waited outside when she went inside, they were going to go to Winter’s house afterwards to pick up her own car.
The secretary took the paperwork from her before going into the Superintendent’s office next door. Seconds later, Tom Murphy came out. Winter had never liked him, he was the classic example of a pretentious prick. He was technically her boss so she had hidden her dislike and appeared respectful in his presence.
“Winter, I am glad to see you’re doing better,” Tom greeted her with his usual plastic smile.
“Thank you, I would like to get back to work. As you can see I have the doctor’s release that states I am able to perform my job.” Winter nodded at the release form in his hand.
“Please come into my office.”
Holding the door open for her, Winter went in, sitting down reluctantly in the chair he offered. As he sat down behind his desk she noticed he was no longer smiling.
“Winter, I think perhaps it would be better for everyone involved if instead of returning to work you turned in your resignation,” he intimidated.
Stunned, Winter didn’t know how to respond. She had missed months of work recuperating, but it had never entered her mind that she would not have a job to return to when the time came.
“Why? I am aware I have had to miss...”
“It has nothing to do with your injuries,” Mr. Murphy quickly interrupted.
“It doesn’t?” At his nod. “Then I don’t understand. Exactly why am I being fired?” Winter questioned.
“You’re not being fired, I wanted to give you the choice so that it wouldn’t go on your record. You can find another job in another more lenient school system.” Again the plastic smile was pasted on his face.
“Perhaps you need to explain exactly why the school system wants my resignation.”
“Very well, I didn’t want to embarrass you, but it has come to the attention of several of the school board members that you have not been acting in an professional manner that is required of those who work for our school system.”
“How have I been acting unprofessional? I have been in a wheelchair the last few months, it has only been the last few weeks that I was able to start walking again. I have certainly not been the party girl you are trying to insinuate that I am,” Winter argued.
“It has become common knowledge around town that you are living with one of The Last Riders, in fact the president of the club. Is that true?” He asked.
Winter’s stomach sank. “Yes, but I lived there while I recuperated. I am moving back into my home tomorrow.” Winter’s flesh crawled at the look he gave her, barely hiding his contempt.
“You just admitted that you have been able to walk for a few weeks. Certainly there was no reason that you could not have maintained your own residence.” Winter remained silent. “Are you involved in a relationship with the one they call Viper?” This time he made no attempt to hide his contempt.
Winter remained silent. She didn’t even know the answer to that question herself anymore. Each morning Viper was gone before she woke and didn’t come to bed until she was asleep.
“Yes, well the school board thinks it’s best that you resign and find a position elsewhere. We cannot have a high school principal over hundreds of children living with a motorcycle club.”
“I have a contract, I won’t resign. I have done nothing to be ashamed of.”
“That remains to be seen, Winter. You certainly are within your rights to try to save your job, just as we are to terminate you as an employee. I am sorry.” Winter could tell that he wasn’t in the least sorry.
Winter didn’t say another word leaving his office with her head held high. If Murphy and the school board thought she would slink into the background, well, they didn’t know her, not at all.
Winter didn’t say a word to Beth after briefly explaining she had been fired. She kept giving her concerned glances. Winter kept her face impassive, not wanting her to know exactly how devastated she was. When Beth parked in her driveway it was with a feeling of relief that she would have some privacy.
“Thanks Beth, I will be alright from here.”
“You sure? I can wait around for a while if you need me. I am just taking Ton to the store for Viper, then I am free for the day.”
“I’m sure,” Winter assured her hastily.
Getting out of the car with the use of her cane took a little time, Beth waited until she had her front door open before pulling out.
The inside smelled of must and everything needed a good dusting. Winter sat on her couch and let everything that had happened the last few months go through her mind. How her whole world had changed within the last months. She had gone from a professional, to a woman living with a motorcycle club with no responsibilities other than to help with paperwork that no one had asked her to do anyway.
She had worked hard for her degree, had been proud of becoming a principal of the high school, more importantly, so had her mother. Now everything was gone. Even the house she had shared with her no longer seemed like a home.
Winter felt lost, sighing she got to her feet. She was never the type to feel sorry for herself and she was determined to take the life back she had lost since she had been attacked.
Jake… was in prison for the arson of Carmen’s parents’ home and Winter’s attack, she wondered how Carmen was doing. She was straightening her kitchen when she
heard the knock on the door. Confused, as no one knew she was there, she went to open the door. Surprise filled her when she saw the women from the club waiting to be asked in. Winter opened the door wider for them to come inside.
“Whew, you need to open a window,” Dawn was already moving as she talked.
“Why is everyone here?” Winter looked at Evie, as she was the one who usually spoke for the women.
“We got the big order out and was sitting around bored so we decided to come and see if there was anything to do here,” Evie answered her moving around the room.
“Oh.” They were probably so excited to get rid of her that they would probably build her a new house to move into.
Evie’s eyes narrowed at her hurt expression. Sighing she continued, “You and Beth have one thing in common. You’re emotional baggage. We’re trying to be nice to help you, not because we want to get rid of you. Beth called me and told me you got fired. We wanted to cheer you up. There, are we good now?”
Winter nodded relieved, she went to Evie giving her a hug. “There is something you need to know about me,” she said pulling away. “I don’t hug.”
Laughing Winter turned away to see the rest of the women smiling at her.
“I do,” Natasha said moving to put her arm around Winter’s shoulder.
“It sucks that asshole fired you,” Dawn said as she rolled her sleeves up.
“I should have seen it coming. Treepoint is a small town and they don’t want their children influenced by a bad example. My contract does have a clause about moral turpitude.”
“What in the fuck is that?” Ember asked.
“Basically my morals aren’t up to the community’s standards.”
“Why in the hell would you sign a contract with that in it?” Evie asked.
“Some professions require them,” Winter said in defense.
All the women were giving her pitying looks.
“Anyway, the teachers’ union will give me a lawyer, but it will take several months to look into the case which means I won’t be returning to school this year.” Winter was saddened by the thought.
“That means you can stay with us. No sense in moving back just to be by yourself,” Natasha said.
“I don’t think that’s what Winter wants.” Evie told Natasha, again the women turned to Winter. She looked around the house. If she was honest with herself, no, she didn’t want to come back to the empty house. The clubhouse had become a home to her. The thought of coming back here to live by herself had her blinking back tears. The only thing holding her back was the distance Viper had put between them the last few days.
“I told you she doesn’t want to be here,” Natasha whispered to the other women. Each of the women had been in Winter’s position when it had come time to make the decision to become a member of The Last Rider’s. It wasn’t easy and it required a soul searching within oneself to find the decision that would be life altering.