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“Biker things? What are biker things?”
“I dunno.” I absently rubbed my knuckles. “Roughing some people up. Breaking some kneecaps with a bat. Tinkering with motorcycle engines? That kind of stuff.”
“I don’t break kneecaps with bats,” Viper stated.
“I know. I was joking…”
“I shoot them in the knees instead. Sends a clearer message.” He took a sip of coffee and watched me intently.
I blinked a few times. “You’re kidding, right?”
He didn’t say a word, but instead just flexed his hand that was resting on the counter, emphasizing the raw, broken skin on his knuckles. Viper wasn’t joking. If he said he shot people, I’d be wise to believe him.
The clomping of heavy boots interrupted our conversation and South Paw appeared in the kitchen.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about what Viper had said. And if I had a problem with it, would that make me a hypocrite? My actions a week earlier had been in self-defense, but if Viper killed or injured anyone for the sake of the club, it was different.
Wasn’t it? Or was I being delusional about the level of violence the club was involved in?
“Morning, kids,” South Paw greeted.
“Morning,” I muttered.
“Rough night at the bar?” he asked with a sympathetic tone.
“Not really, just busy. I’m tired, that’s all.” The lies were spilling out of me this morning.
South Paw opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of creamer. He poured the remainder of it into his cup before chucking it into the garbage.
Viper took two large swallows of his coffee before putting his cup in the sink. “I’m out. I’ll see you later.”
He stalked toward me and right in front of South Paw, grasped my waist with one hand, cradled my head with the other and then plundered my mouth.
I vaguely heard South Paw chuckle, but I didn’t care because Viper was kissing me with possession and purpose. When he released me, his stare was heated and penetrating. Without another word, he stalked from the clubhouse.
South Paw looked at me. “That dude is intense as fuck.”
“Right?” I asked with a slow smile.
“I’ll be damned,” he said with a chuckle. “You actually like him.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I asked in exasperation. “Is he so unlikable?”
“Not at all. He’s a good guy. A loyal brother.”
“I know he’s prickly,” I said slowly. “But I think he’s got a soft heart.”
“The best heart. What he did for that girl…it’s an honor to call him family.”
I frowned. “What girl? What did he do?”
South Paw stilled. “Oh, uh, never mind.” He clenched his cup tighter. “Gotta go. See you later.”
* * *
“Okay, I’m not gonna lie,” Annabella said. “I didn’t think you were going to be able to hold your own with this crowd and the rush, but I stand corrected.”
I grinned. “Judged me before you met me, huh?”
