When we park at the resort, Viper goes around and opens the door and helps me down. He, Bomber, and Zara follow me to the event room, where it’s a cocktail-style event with guests standing with drinks in hand. Thewaitresses and waiters, dressed up in white and black, are going around with trays of food.
I sense eyes on us, and when I quickly survey the area, I notice a nearby group giving Viper and Bomber a cautious glance. Everyone else is dressed up, whereas they’re wearing jeans and shirts with their cuts over the top. The men stand out, but I can’t imagine Viper wearing anything else.
I spot Lawson shaking hands and laughing with friends. I step to the side and see Harrison talking to people, but when Harrison’s eyes land on me he smiles and waves me over, so I go to him.
“Hey, sis.” I step into his outstretched arms and give him a brief hug.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Good.”
Viper steps up beside me. He’s smiling at Harrison. “Hey,” he says, and they shake hands.
“How’s my sister treating you?” Harrison asks with a twinkle in his eye.
Viper glances at me before answering. “Wifey has been great, I couldn’t imagine my life without her.” The sincerity in his voice makes my breath catch.
“Aww…” Zara says from next to me.
“Congratulations. I’m glad you two”—Harrison’s eyes stay on me a little longer—“are making a go of it.”
I’m in a daze while Harrison greets Zara and Bomber. My chest is tight at Viper’s declaration. The storm of mixed emotions scares me.
Alec makes his way to us, with his domineering presence and buzzkill persona. I smile at him. “Sophie,” he says, giving me a tight nod but shakes hands with the men. I have no idea what Piper sees in him. It must solely be based on looks because if she really knew him, she wouldn’t like my grumpy brother.
“You’re still here,” Alec says to me. “I thought you’d be divorced and gone by now.”
“Why wouldn’t I still be here?” I sound irritated.
He lifts a brow and purses his lips. “You hate Crown Village, and going from New York to a rural area, I didn’t think you’d cope.”
It’s not that I hate this place. When I finished school, I had to move away. I needed my own life, my own identity away from my family. Now, I’m enjoying being back.
Viper links his hand in mine, which makes me glance at him, while he speaks to Alec. “She’s doing well. Can multitask managing her business while spending time and building friendships with the women and men in the clubhouse. She’s extraordinary, and I’m one lucky bastard to have her.”
Our group is suddenly quiet. The heaviness from Alec’s presence floats away. Viper sees me for who I am. I stand taller.
Harrison laughs. “I can see why you’re such a hit with the ladies.”
“I’m a married man now.” Viper used to be a player, but his eyes have never wandered to anyone else.
I have a feeling that there’re people behind us. “Hello…” Harrison says to a group of four men—all tall, handsome, and muscular. Viper’s hand tightens on mine.
“I’m glad you guys made it.” Harrison turns to me. “These are some of my fellow firefighters.”
I go to give them a hug, but my hand is firmly in Viper’s, and he isn’t letting go. I give the firefighters a bright smile instead. Harrison peers down at our hands and chuckles under his breath.
“I’m going to chat with Lawson,” I tell the group, then Viper and I move through the crowd toward Lawson.
“Better watch who you bat those eyelashes at.”
I pause and peer up at Viper. There’s a lightness to his voice, a tilt of a lip, but the intensity of his gaze says otherwise. My inner bitch rears her head. I place my other hand on his chest and look him dead in the eyes while lowering my voice. “If you don’t have sex with me… someone else will.”
Viper raises a brow. His grin spreads. “I’d like to see them try.”
What an arrogant husband I have. I didn’t think this through. Just the thought of sex makes me wet. I raise a brow right back at him. “You want to make a bet on that?”
His smile dims and his eyes tighten. I hold back a smirk.
