“And she never came home to see us?” My voice hitches at the end.
He lets out a heavy breath. “I begged her to stay, but we grew apart, and she said she never felt the bond between herself and you and your brothers. I think she thought she was doing what was right, and nothing I said could have made her stay.”
Everything falls into place. “Where is she now?”
“She travels for work, so she could be anywhere right now.”
I nod and rub the base of my throat. I step into my father’s arms, the anger washed away by the heartache in his voice. I understand his incessant need to keep me safe. When Dad pulls away, I see his eyes glisten. I desperately need Viper right now, so I clear my throat. “I need to sit down with you and with my brothers and discuss it, but right now is not the time. Can we talk about it later?”
He nods and slowly walks away from us.
I step into Viper’s outstretched arms. He holds me, supporting me like he always does.
“I’m so sorry,” he says in a soothing voice as he rubs my back. His scent, his warmth is what dims the pain.
I pull back, my face flushed. “I’m going to have to check my makeup.” I don’t want anyone to see I’m upset and put a damper on the night.
“I’ll wait.” He glances at the floor briefly. “I’ll always wait for you.”
I give him a sad smile and try to blink away my glassy eyes. I go to the restroom to fix my makeup, and when I come out, Viper is leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He’s glancing down at his phone with a smile on his face.
“What are you looking at?”
He turns his phone around. It’s a photo of us on our wedding night. It looks as though we’re both laughing while staring into each other’s eyes, and it hits home. I’m making Dad change his mind, but after our emotional discussion, I can’t bring myself to ask, not tonight.
Viper puts his phone in his pocket and cups my face, making me look up at him. He brings his lips to mine in a soft but loving kiss that he holds a little longer.
“I’ve missed you. My life isn’t the same without you. We belong together,” he breathes against my mouth.
I gaze into his adoring eyes. “I love you.”
He leans back down, giving me another kiss. “I love you too.”
His hands fall from my face and he grabs my hand. “Can I have this dance?” he asks, all charming and sexy as hell.
I smile back and squeeze his hand. “Yes, you can.” I follow him out and to the dance floor, where the band is playing and everyone’s out of their seats dancing. Viper leads me through the crowd and toward the middle of the dance floor, where Elena and Zara are dancing together. Axle is next to them, sporting some very goofy dance moves, doing a mix of the lawnmower and the sprinkler. It makes me chuckle.
Viper pulls my body flush against his. My heart feels full being in his arms, where our problems drift away as we smile at each other, where nothing else matters but us.
After the cake cutting and once the night comes to an end, dread creeps in. As the last guests leave and only mine, Zara’s, and Bomber’s families and the MC are left, we help return the hall back to the way it was.
“Are you coming to the party at the MC?” asks Viper as we put away the last chairs.
I smile and put out my hand. He interlocks his fingers with mine, and we leave together.
TWENTY-FIVE
JUDGEMENT
Viper
Sophie ridesto the clubhouse on the back of my motorcycle. I love her squeals of joy as I accelerate down the road and she hugs me tighter. I take a deep breath, soaking in the ride.
When we arrive, I peer back at Sophie as she gets off the bike. Our time is limited. I want to delve in and capture her soul, to keep hers with mine. I just want her to stay with me. I might have claimed her as my wife, but she fucking owns me, and I know no one else can take her place.
She hasn’t asked me to sign the divorce papers, so that’s the small hope I’m hanging on to, and there’s no way I’m bringing it up.
“Come with me. I have a surprise for you,” I say to her.
