Mine Now (The Phantom Vipers MC)

28. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Hunter

I usher both ladies out of my room with my hand on Blake's lower back. We pass back by one of the house mice, who throws a grim look my way. Her name is Candace, and she has been trying to get in my pants for years. In fact, I think I might be the only biker she hasn’t slept with aside from Xavier.

I just give her a nod and walk us outside. The fresh night air hits me like a warm caress, and I close my eyes, relishing the feeling of it through my beard. The air and smell here are like coming home. It brings me a sense of peace as we walk toward the rest of the crowd by the fire.

“Can I go now?” Charlie bounces next to her mother, and she finally lets go of her hand.

“Yes, but be careful!” she calls after her as she bounds toward the other children.

I place my hand on Blake’s lower back again and give her a little nudge. “Come with me; I want to introduce you to some people.”

As soon as we’re within earshot, Xavier gets up from his chair and starts walking toward us. “Hunter! It took you long enough, man.” He embarrasses me with a clap on my back. “For a second there, I thought the house mouse got her claws into you.”

I cringe at his words. I don’t want to have to explain that to Blake right now.

“What’s a house mouse?” The soft voice comes from behind me and draws Xavier’s attention toward her.

Oh god. His smile beams as he moves around me and stands fully before Blake. “A house mouse is one of our beautiful ladies who takes care of the house and the riders.” He pauses for dramatics. “If you get what I’m saying.” He wiggles his brow.

“Okay, that’s enough,” I grumble, and he turns his smile toward me.

“Get the stick out of your ass, Hunter, and live a little.” He nods to someone behind me and then says, “Have a beer and let loose.”

I look over my shoulder at Viper, who is walking toward me with two beers in his hand. I graciously take one from him and take a long swig. Then I remember Blake is standing by me. “Did you want one?” I hold my beer out to her.

She shakes her head. “No, thank you.” She scans the area for Charlie, and I find myself doing the same. We are both keeping a protective gaze on her at all times.

“So,” Xavier says. “Who do we have here?” He wraps his arm around Blake’s shoulder.

I clear my throat. “This is Crash.” I start, but Blake interrupts me.

“My name is Blake, thank you very much.” Her eyes bore into my soul.

Xavier laughs. “Why do we call her Crash?”

A mischievous grin plays across my face, and I see her cringe as he waits for an answer.

“Well, that is a funny story, actually.” I chuckle, thinking over the story of how we met. I turn my attention toward Xavier. “Do you remember how I just recently got into an accident with a car that came out of nowhere?”

He nods and takes a swig of his beer.

I point toward Blake. “She was the driver of said vehicle. And the worst part is, that wasn’t even the only time she almost crashed into me. She did it again the day after too. It’s like she has it out for me or something.”

Xavier gasps and turns his attention toward Blake, who is beet red. She starts to shake her head violently. “You hit me .” She stomps her foot like a child, and Sam swoops in to save her.

She grabs her by the arm. “Come. Let’s get to know one another and get away from these gross men.” Sam pulls her away from me toward the fire.

Once she is out of earshot, Xavier leans in closer to me and says, “So why did you bring her here if she is the reason you wrecked your bike?”

I shrug, running a hand down my face. Like I fucking know .

I shrug. “Honestly, man, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me." I exhale sharply, shaking my head. "But something about her keeps pulling me in, and I can't figure out why I don't want to walk away.” I let out a breath. “Not to mention, she just left her abusive husband and had nowhere else to go.”

He raises his brow. “You didn’t bring trouble to our doorstep, did you?”

I shake my head. “No, and even if I did, I’m capable of handling it.”

He claps my back. “That's good because you know we have a run coming up, and I can’t have anything jeopardizing that.”

I take another swig of my beer. “I’m aware. I will be joining you.”

“Since when? You were taking this week off due to… well you know, your daughter's anniversary.”

“Yeah, I know. But this year is different. Something is off with the upcoming ride-I can feel it in my bones, and I have a bad feeling. I can’t explain it. Something just doesn’t feel right.”

He shakes his head. “We do this ride every year. What is so different about this one?”

I set my bottle down with a little more force than necessary. “This year, we’ve been at war with the other clubs around the area. Who’s to say they won’t attack us while we’re in transit?”

His face turns serious. “I would love to see them try.”

I let out a dry chuckle. “You mean like they tried last month when they slashed our tires before the coke run? Or when they torched our shipment two weeks ago?”

His jaw tightens. He knows I’m right.

“Not to mention the last deal came up short. Ten grand missing, and no one can figure out where the hell it went.” I lean forward, lowering my voice. “I don’t believe in coincidences, X. The Blue Devils have been fucking with us for months, and now we’re about to ride right into the open? You really think they won’t take their shot?”

Xavier exhales through his nose, his expression darkening. “We’ll be ready.”