Mine Now (The Phantom Vipers MC)

24. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Hunter

Thirty minutes later, Viper rides in front of us as we head down the road. A smiling Charlie plays with her toys in the back seat, her laugher a soft hum in the background. Blake looks out of her window at the passing trees, seemingly lost in thought.

I grip the wheel tighter as an aching, bittersweet feeling pulls at my chest.

I never thought I’d look in the rearview of the car and not see my own child smiling back at me. The phantom pain of her loss lingers no matter how much time passes. But when I look back and see Charlie now, she reminds me so much of Elizabeth. The way she smiles—the way her nose crinkles when she laughs. Even the way she runs.

I can’t make it make sense in my brain, but it's like the universe is giving me another chance at that love. Or maybe I am grasping at straws, and the universe is fucking laughing at me.

The memories of my sweet Moo bring a pain to my chest that I wish to dissipate, so I clear my throat and stifle the silence in the car.

“So, Crash. Are you glad I’m the one driving?”

She gives me a sidelong glance. “Why would I be glad?”

Her defiant tone lets me know she has already picked up on my attempt to press her buttons. “Oh, you know. So, we don’t crash into anyone.”

She rolls her eyes, and my hand twitches again. I have never been with such a sassy woman. I want to spank her ass right here in this car. “Is the entire trip going to be like this? Or do I need to drive so I can show you that I’m capable?”

Her quip makes me rock hard, and I have to remind myself her child is present.

I shift the front of my pants to make myself more comfortable. “As funny as I think that would be to see,” I say, then look in the rearview at Charlie. “I value her life too much.”

Blake swats my arm, and Charlie laughs from the back seat.