Chapter 7
Viper saw red at the words he was hearing coming out of the mouth of the woman who had captivated him since the moment he met her. She was always full of sass, mouthy and never hesitated to tell him or her friends exactly what was on her mind.
He watched as she paced, trying to focus on the tattoos that cascaded from her shoulder down to the elbow on her right arm when she would walk one way. Viper thought she was poetry in motion when he had her under him. Hell, even when the woman was riding his cock, sucking his cock…ok he needed to stop thinking about that shit or he’d be standing here with a fucking hard-on while this woman told her friends, those she considered family, why she was out of sorts.
When he heard she’d given a kid up for adoption, he could tell she still cared about the kid from the tone of her voice. Their one night together, in between their rounds of the hottest fucking sex he’s ever had, they talked about their careers, past and present. He understood now why she shied away from serious relationships or men who were alpha dogs like he was.
“This Krieger guy you mentioned, is there any chatter on him being in California?” Jeremy ‘Texas’ Houston asked, looking at Diesel before looking over at Marcus.
“As of right now, no. Lester and the others were taken to a black site thanks to some special friends who helped handle that fiasco in Colorado. Nadia managed to do some checking and as far as they are able to report, Krieger is still in Forrest City. He’s actually in the process of running for city mayor, so he’s not going to be leaving the city anytime soon.” Diesel answered, sending Texas a soft smile.
“How do you want to handle this doll?” Viper asked Diesel, stepping forward so she knew he was serious about helping her.
Viper watched as Diesel stared at him for several minutes before she looked around the room. He could tell she wasn’t sure exactly what to do. His suspicion was confirmed when she shrugged.
“I don’t know. I know when I was in the hospital, if it wasn’t for the officer or the fact I was in a city that Krieger and his family had no power in, I would either be dead or in Krieger’s control right now. Per gypsy law, at least in our community, once the betrothed have sex, then they are legally bound by marriage. The rest is just a formality…”
“Hold the fuck up!” Pratt stood up, a hand in the air as she looked at Diesel. “you mean to tell me that mother fucking succubus waste of fucking ejaculated jizz admitted to his mother and father, your family what he did and they just claim gypsy fucking law that you two were hitched and they had the right…”
“Lass, let Diesel finish her sentence. Hold the crazy for a little bit longer.” Highlander murmured, pulling his wife back into his lap, holding her tight before nodding at Diesel.
“So, basically, you’re saying once this…what Pratt said finds out your alive, he’s going to come claiming you’re his wife and that this child is his and that his word is law?” Viper concluded, tilting his head to the right slightly. “Did you two legally, per normal America law, get married or have signed paperwork?”
“No! I never went before a judge or a priest and said I do. I never saw them in the hospital. The officer, Crystal, who helped me, managed to fake my death so that they wouldn’t look for me. As far as they know, Alexandria Dennisovich is dead. There is no reason for us to believe that Krieger knows about Raven.”
“What about the rest of your family? They assume you’re dead also, correct?” Captain Irby asked, looking between Viper and Diesel.
“Yes. None of them would have a reason to drive from Arkansas to California. They all work in Krieger’s factories or one of his other businesses around town. Krieger knows he can’t assume power outside of Forrest City.” Diesel answered, scratching her head.
“Unless he went into politics. What factories do they have in Forrest City?” Ernest ‘Jacko’ Blackburn asked, crossing his arms across his chest as he stared at Diesel intently.
“One was a meat packing plant. They slaughter the animals and then do all the other stuff they do to get them ready for packaging. Some go to the local deli and others to the grocery stores. The other one is a clothing factory. They mostly take cotton and make the yarn and fabric that goes out to the stores. A lot of the stuff is going for stores on the east coast, not the west coast. He also has a few real estate offices, grocery stores and stuff like that.” Diesel advised Jacko.
Viper watched as Jacko stared at Diesel before looking over at Diesel who looked at Jacko in confusion. “They have money, right? You just said he’s running for local office. What’s to stop them from coming out this way to try and expand their business. If the son is wanting to take the business further…”
“Oh my god!” Diesel said out loud when Jacko’s point hit home.
“So, what if Diesel got married. I mean granted it would just be on paper, but if one of her family members or this Krieger dude did come out this way, legally there’s isn’t shit they can do. Gypsy law doesn’t supersede society law.” Rameriez pointed out, shrugging as she caught on to what was being said.
“Who in the hell am I going to tie myself to for any amount of time, Alexis Rameriez? You said yourself I don’t keep a steady boyfriend. Just a fuck buddy now and then.” Diesel pointed out, hands on her hips as she glared at her friend for her suggestion.
“I’ll do it.” Sammy ‘Joker’ Jones spoke up, winking at Diesel. “We’ve already got a great friendship going. I’ll take one for the team.”
Viper laughed, shaking his head he looked over at Joker. “You’ll take one for the team? That sounds like it would be a hardship for you. What’s going to happen if your team or Marcus’s team is called up at the same time? The fact you’re still active doesn’t fit well for this situation. No, offense man, but you’re the last person who should ‘volunteer tribute’.”
“That was kind of harsh there, Viper.” Highlander said, glaring at the man his brother calls a friend.
“It needs to be. That woman right there is in danger. Because of that, the rest of these women are in danger too. I know how you two are with your wives and that includes these women. But, Lt., what are you going to do if both your teams are deployed? If this Krieger guy knew she was alive now, that would be the time for him to strike. You two could be in a radio silent situation, mid-jump or heaven forbid, in the middle of a damn gun fight and there’s not a damn thing either one of you can do.” Viper reiterated, making his point to Highlander and Marcus who both turned to look at each other once Viper was finished.
“He’s got a point, babe. While Diez and Joker have history, they are just friends. Can’t even really call them fuck buddies anymore since he hooked up with the skank he’s with now.” Pratt fake gagged, glaring at Joker. “Seriously, you’ll take one for the team. How the hell is that going to work dude? You have a girlfriend now!”