Mine Now (The Phantom Vipers MC)

36. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Hunter

I pull on my pants and turn to see Blake still staring at me, her gaze lingering like she is trying to piece something together.

I nod toward the bathroom. “Why don’t you go wash up, and then we will go eat some breakfast.”

She hesitates, like she wants to press the conversation further, but I’m not in the mood to explain my trauma. Not now. Not this early.

I just like to feel alive . And when the needle plunges into my skin, it reminds me that I’m still capable of feeling —even after my daughter’s death tried to take that away from me.

She blushes and nods, looking away.

The shirt she wore to bed barely covers her ass, and I watch as her milky thighs walk toward the bathroom.

I only turn my gaze away when Charlie stretches in her cot. She looks over at her mother and then at me. I smile at her. “Good morning, little one.”

She does another big stretch and climbs out of the bed. Her stomach growls as soon as her feet hit the floor, and I can’t help but laugh. That is why I sent Blake to the bathroom to get ready. She didnt need to tell me she was hungry, her stomach made me very aware of that fact.

By the time Blake is done in the bathroom, I am fully dressed, and Charlie is pulling on her shoes.

“You guys are ready to go that fast?” She looks over at Charlie. “You didn’t even brush your teeth yet, young lady.”

Charlie gives her a broad smile and rushes to the bathroom to do what her mother says.

I smirk at Blake as she tries to pull her shirt below her ass and fails. “Would you like me to leave the room to give you some privacy?” I ask.

She stares at me for a moment and then shakes her head. “Fuck it.”

She yanks her shirt over her head and tosses it onto the bed, leaving her perfect curves on display like a goddamn feast. My mouth salivates immediately, and I take a step closer to her. Charlie’s singing from the bathroom drags me back to reality, reminding me that now is not the time to lose control. Not,yet. I need to get this woman alone. I am going to devour her.

A low grunt rumbles in my chest as I force myself to stay put. “Do you like teasing me?”

She looks over her shoulder at me with a knowing smile. “Maybe.”

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “Well, you go ahead and have your fun. I’ll have my fun later.” I wink at her and wait for her to dress before heading toward the door.

I haven’t slept that well in a long time. Having Blake wrapped in my arms as I fell asleep brought me a peace that I haven’t felt in a long time. Usually, my nights are filled with nightmares that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But with her, I slept a dreamless sleep.

I hold the door open for both of them to walk through before following behind them down the hallway.

I know this was supposed to be temporary, but I need to find a way to get her to stay. She said she didn’t have anywhere to go; maybe I can play off of that. But I don’t want her to stay out of desperation, I need her to want to stay. How would that affect my lifestyle? Would she be able to handle this life if I asked her to? The thought of her and Charlie living with me brings a warmness to my heart that I didn’t think was possible to ever feel again. It’s almost as if a new family is sitting right on the edge of my vision and all I have to do is reach out and touch it.

As we walk into the living room, a bunch of patrons litter the couches and floor, sleeping off the night before. Sam is standing in the kitchen making breakfast for the group.

“How did you guys sleep?” Sam asks with a wiggle of her brow at me.

Blake blushes and I clear my throat. “We both slept fine, thank you.”

“Good, do you want something to eat?” Sam asks Blake, who nods and takes a seat at the bar. She helps Charlie onto the chair next to her.

“You are just the sweetest thing I ever did see,” Sam says, giving Charlie her full attention.

Charlie giggles and hides her face behind Blake’s arm.

“Hey now, we are supposed to be best friends, little Charlie. You know what that means?” Sam smiles.

Charlie shakes her head.

“Well, it means that you get to pick whatever you want for breakfast, and I will make it just for you,” Sam whispers across the island.

Charlie’s face lights up as she contemplates what she wants. “Can I have pancakes?”

Sam gasps. “That is my favorite! Of course, you can have pancakes.”

Charlie dances in her chair and then looks over at her mother before looking back at Sam. “Can I help you?” Charlie asks Sam.

Sam nods and holds her hand out to her. “You most certainly can! Let me grab you a stool so you can see better.”

My heart warms at the sight of Sam accepting this child as if it were her own. I know it has been hard for her and Xavier to try to have kids and after so many years of trying, I believe that they can’t have them. Xavier refuses to adopt so Sam just suffers and gives all her love to everyone else's children.

Blake sits in silence with a soft smile on her face, watching her child live in her happiness. This gives me time to really look at her bruises along her neck. It looks like her husband wrapped both of his hands around her throat and didn’t let go. He squeezed so tight that he left fingerprint marks on her collarbone.

Blake must feel me staring because she looks up at me and her smile fades. “What’s wrong?” She pulls her hair so that her neck is no longer in view.

I shake my head and gently rub her shoulder. “There is nothing wrong, Crash. I was just admiring the view.”

She rolls her eyes at me and looks back at her child.

Xavier comes out of his room and whistles at Sam. “Damn, girl. You really know a way to a man’s heart.” He walks up behind her and grabs her by the waist and swings her around.

“Hey, put me down. I’m trying to cook pancakes!”

He rights her on her feet and kisses the top of her head, leaning in to snatch a piece of bacon from the plate behind her. Charlie catches him and hollers. “Hey! You are stealing.”

Xavier lets go of Sam and squares off with Charlie. He looks menacing but then he gets down on one knee and bows his head, holding the piece of bacon out toward her. “You are absolutely right, little one. Here, you may have it back.” Charlie giggles and takes the bacon from his grasp, placing it back on the plate. But not before snagging a bite of it.

Xavier sees it too and he winks at her and puts his finger to his lips. “Okay, I am done being a menace in the kitchen.” Then he turns his eyes toward me. “Hunter, come with me to church.”

When we make it into the meeting room, he closes the door behind me, and we take our seats at the table.

“What’s this all about?” I raise my brow. We don’t usually hold church this early in the morning, and the rest of the group isn’t here.

He leans back in his chair and kicks his feet up on the table. “I just wanted to go over a little bit with you about the ride. It’s in two days, you know.”

I nod and clasp my hands in front of me.

“As you know, it normally takes us roughly eighteen hours to get there from the clubhouse.”

“Yeah.”

“What if we took the main highway part way and then took back roads the rest of the way?”

I shake my head. “No, that’s stupid. You know the safest way is just to take back roads the entire time. That way we don’t risk being caught.”

He lets out a breath. “But, I really don’t want it to take that long.”

“Why are you whining?”

He rolls his eyes. “Because man. Just like you, I’m getting old and my back fucking hurts when I ride too long.”

I chuckle. “You sure that isn’t from all the fucking you and Sam do?”

He tosses a nearby pen toward my head that I dodge. “No, you fuck.” He sighs. “Fine, we’ll do it the usual way since you have no spine.”

I tilt my head. “It has nothing to do with having the nerve to take the riskier route. We have other men’s lives in our hands on this ride, and I won’t risk it because you're getting too old to ride.”

He scoffs. “Whatever.” He throws his hands up in the air. “So what is the deal with this girl and her kid? How long are they going to be staying?”

I shrug. “For as long as I can get them to, I guess. Right now it is all up in the air.”

“What are they going to do while we’re on this ride?”

“My plan is to have her stay here so I know she’s safe.”

He nods. “That would be smart, but what if she doesn’t want to stay?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure.” I didn’t think that far ahead. I just assumed she would say okay and stay here with the rest of the ladies.

He chuckles. “If she’s anything like my Sam, good luck with that assumption. She seems like a stubborn one.”

I think back to all the times Blake has defied my requests and grimace. “Maybe you’re right. I guess I should try and be more convincing.”

He nods and we both rise from our chairs. “Let’s go enjoy some food, brother.” he slaps my back.