I look over the bed at the large viper wrapped around a phantom. On top of it, in bold letters, it states Phantom Vipers. When Hunter turns toward me, he tilts his head. “What’s wrong?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing.”
My voice is barely above a whisper as I continue staring at the large patch above the bed until Hunter comes into my view. “Tell me what is on your mind,” he grumbles.
I chuckle. “It’s nothing really. Just some of the women out there gave me unfriendly looks, is all.”
He raises his brow. “Which ones?”
It doesn’t matter which ones. I don’t need him to fight my battles for me. “No one. It’s fine.”
He lets out a breath and takes a step back.
I point toward the patch on the wall. “Is that the name of your motorcycle club?”
He looks over his shoulder above the bed and nods.
“That’s cool.” I point to the specter on his hand. “Is that why you have this tattoo?”
He lifts his arm to bring his tattoo into a better view and turns his arm toward me. He points at the phantom. The tattoo begins on his calloused hand, where a figure emerges from the shadows, its ethereal form entwined with the bones of his knuckles. “This phantom isn’t just a haunting figure; it symbolizes the very essence of the Phantom Viper Club.” He leans toward me. “The legends whisper that those who join the club do so not just for the thrill of the ride but to embody the untamed souls of those who’ve come before them.”
“Woah,” I whisper.
“Yeah. The phantom, in itself, represents the brotherhood of fallen riders, reminding us that each twist of the throttle carries the weight of their memory. It’s a fierce reminder to ride hard and live free, for the spirits of the lost ride alongside us with every rev of the engine.”
“What's the story behind the viper wrapped around it?” I find myself wanting to know every detail he’ll give me.
The viper slithers upward under his shirt sleeve. Its scales are intricately detailed and vibrant. “The viper is a symbol of the club’s venomous loyalty—strike hard, strike true. The reason it coils around the phantom is to merge their stories in a dance of danger and power. Just like the Phantom Vipers. The viper represents the grit and determination to protect what’s ours.”
I raise my brow. “And how do you guys protect what’s yours?”
He lets out a breath and sits on the side of the bed. “Well, much like a real viper, when a threat emerges, we don’t just bite; we inject fear into the hearts of those who cross us. The viper is a tribute to the fierce reputation the club has earned over the years, striking terror into the hearts of our rivals and ensuring our dominance on the open road.”
Charlie pulls herself up on the bed to sit next to Hunter and points at the barbed wire nestled in the design. “What is that for?”
He turns his attention to her and smiles. “Each part of this tattoo tells my story, little one.” He points to the same barbed wire she just did. “This signifies the boundaries that protect our club. It’s a harsh reminder that loyalty comes with a price, and crossing the line could lead to dire consequences.” Then hebegins pointing at the small row of names engraved along the inside of his forearm.
“Each one of these are the initials of a fallen brother.”
Before he can explain, Charlie interrupts him. “What does fallen mean?”
Hunter looks to me for help with explaining it to her. I lean down to her level and grab her hand. “It means that an important person in his life went to a better place than Earth. All of their troubles are gone, and their bodies are no longer with us.”
She gives me a solemn smile and then looks back up at Hunter. “How many are on your arm?”
He shakes his head. “Too many to count, little one.”
“Why do you have them written on you?” she asks.
“Because each name is a ghost that rides alongside me each time I ride. It’s a promise to keep their memories alive.”
“Where does the head end?” I blurt out.
His eyes sparkle with mischief, and then he pats his right pec. “Here.”
I find myself wanting to see the head of that snake, and it’s taking every ounce of my being not to ask him to remove his shirt. That would be inappropriate in front of Charlie.
I realize that there is only a single large bed in the center of the room, and I look behind me at the other wall. “Where will we be sleeping?”
