The Last Riders - First Four Votes (25 page)

W
inter woke
up stiff and unable to move for several minutes. In that time, she realized she was lying on someone. Panic soared through her body and she tried to jerk away, but was held immobile, unable to hurt herself.

She was gently turned until she lay on her back with Viper above her. His chest held her down as his hands surrounded her face, keeping her from jerking her head. His hair roughened thigh was over both of hers keeping them from wildly thrashing.

“Now, I can understand how waking to find me in bed with you upsets you, but we are going to raise you up in the bed and then we are going to have a talk without you hurting yourself. Understood?”

“Yes,” Winter gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Good.” Viper slowly released her to sit up then helped her to maneuver into a sitting position with pillows supporting her back from behind. Once she was sitting up, Viper climbed out of bed, unconcerned with his nudity,

“You slept with me naked!” she screeched.

“Yes.” He went into the bathroom, cutting off further comments. She had to bite back words because no one was listening. She heard the toilet flush then water running in the sink, which didn’t help her full bladder. When Viper came out of the bathroom he casually began to get dressed, ignoring her furious glare. Winter was so mad she was beyond speech until he came to the side of the bed, yanking the covers away from her body before lifting her into his arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you to use the restroom,” he answered factually.

“Take me back to bed.” He ignored her, carrying her into the large bathroom and sitting her on the toilet where he simply sat her down.

“Can you manage?”

“Yes. Get out.”

“You have two minutes.” She hurriedly used it then flushed the toilet and adjusted her gown with barely a second to spare before he was back, lifting her again. Winter was beginning to feel like a sack of potatoes. He lay her back down on the bed, making sure her back was up against the pillows before he stepped away, folding his arms across his chest.

“Evie will be here in a few minutes and I want us to get a few things settled before she arrives.”

Winter opened her mouth to speak.

“Be quiet. I am going to talk, something that you have given me no opportunity to do the last two months. When we were dating, I was very careful to maintain a platonic relationship with you. I, at no time, led you to believe that we were more than friends, whether you want to accept it or not. I was going to find my brother’s killer, regardless of who got hurt. I owed that to Gavin and Ton.

“I was determined to bring my brother home. To do that, I had to use you. I am not happy or proud about my behavior, but I did try to limit our relationship so that it wouldn’t be as hurtful to you. I didn’t succeed. You were hurt and I am sorry. I can’t turn back time and do things differently. I sincerely doubt I would if I could. I was finally able, after three years, to bury my brother and give Ton, as well as myself, closure.”

“I am glad everything is wrapped up in a tiny pink bow of happiness for you, Viper.” Winter glared at him.

“Actually, you conned me, too, Winter. This fiery woman with a temper and a smart mouth, where was she all the time we were together?” Winter’s lips tightened, she folded her arms over her chest and turned her head away from him.

“It’s okay. I’ve always liked a woman who’s able to speak for herself.”

“Go to Hell.”

Viper burst out laughing. “I’ve gotten off track. Despite my best intentions, I began to care about you and was very attracted to you.”

At that Winter rolled her eyes, refusing to speak.

“I was, whether you believe me or not. That night after the football game, I almost went home with you, but one thing held me back. I knew you wouldn’t be able to handle my life. You had worked hard to achieve your professional goals and succeeded in becoming a principal at a young age. I was worried that any association with a motorcycle club would cause negative reactions towards your career. And would you want to get to know me when you found out I was president of The Last Riders?

“I was going to come clean after Bedford was arrested, but you found out before I was able to do so and have refused to listen to me since. You need to get stronger before you will be able to care for yourself. The best place for you to do so is here. I have told the sheriff that this is where you will be staying and he also agrees.”

“Why would he care where I stay?”

“He thinks that Jake’s family won’t be happy you’re back in town.”

“Jake is in prison.”

Viper nodded his head. “His family wants him out, and they are mistakenly blaming everything on you. They refuse to admit Jake is violent.”

“Surely Carmen has admitted to him hurting her?”

“No. She still refuses to believe it was him.”

“But what about the fire? He would still be in jail for that and there was a witness to him running from the house.”

“A witness that is refusing to testify,” Viper informed her.

Winter knew Jake had an older brother that was almost as violent as him. Perhaps it would be safer to find another place until after the trial, but this wasn’t it.

“I don’t want to stay here.”

“I know that, but you really have no option. Let me do this for you. If nothing else, we were friends, Winter.”

“How could we be friends? I didn’t even know who you were.”

He turned his back to her, his face stark. Winter pushed down the regret within her at speaking so harshly to him, yet she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t stay here close to him. Forget that he had deceived her. All she had to protect her against the hurt he had inflicted was the barrier she had put up against him.

Before she could think about anything further, a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Viper answered, moving away from the bed.

Evie came in, easily tuning into the tense vibe in the room and sought to lighten it.

“We need to get you dressed and downstairs for breakfast. Your therapist will be here in an hour.”

“Call me when you need me to help get her downstairs.” Viper left the room abruptly.

It was evident that Evie was a trained professional when she had Winter dressed and sitting in her wheelchair twenty minutes later. She then took out her cell phone to call Viper, telling him they were ready. Winter was self-conscious, wearing a pair of small shorts with a t-shirt worn over her sports bra.

Viper came in, easily carrying her downstairs to a massive kitchen teaming with a group of people fighting for breakfast. He sat her down at the round table.

“I’ll fix you a plate,” Viper offered. Razer, Knox and some tattooed guy that Viper had called Shade were also sitting at the table with large plates before them.

“Hello,” Winter muttered.

She got nods in return.

Viper sat a plate down in front of her before sitting down next to her. Evie also sat down at the table with a plate full of smaller portions, which made Winter’s plate look as if it would feed six people.

“I need a plate like hers. I can’t eat all this,” Winter protested.

“Eat,” Viper told her then ignored her for the rest of the meal as he talked to the others at the table about deliveries and supplies. Winter was completely lost as to what they were discussing.

“They are talking about a big order going out tomorrow. That’s why everyone is up today, working an extra shift at the factory next door.” Winter remembered something about them running a survivalist company, but had not paid attention. It had been too painful to hear about Viper’s alter life.

She had barely managed to finish half her food when she slid the plate away. Viper didn’t take his attention away from the men, but pulled the plate to him finishing what remained.

“You need to use the restroom?” Evie asked. Winter blushed bright red and shook her head when she saw everyone had stopped talking.

The doorbell rang, producing a huge smile from Evie. “That must be your therapist.”

She left the room to answer the door, returning within minutes with a mischievous look on her face.

“Winter this is Conner Stevens, your physical therapist,” Evie introduced.

Lord have mercy. Winter and every woman in the room could only stare in awe at the male specimen before them. Beth had promised to make it up to her and she had with the handsome blond standing before her.

She managed to tear her eyes away from Conner to see that Razer and the other males were not happy.

“Tell Beth she kept her promise. I forgive her,” she whispered to Evie.

Viper’s lips tightened and he gave her a look that she had no intention of interpreting.

“Are you ready to get started?”

“Yes,” Winter replied, lifting her arms. Conner laughed, coming to her side and lifting her easily.

“I’ll show you the way.” Evie guided them through a doorway in the kitchen which led down a flight of steps. The narrow stairs opened to a large room that had been turned into a gym that held several of the machines that Winter had become familiar with during her therapy.

“The hot tub is through that door, and the sauna is through that one, she pointed at the wooden door. The restroom is next door to the hot tub room. Evie indicated where each room was before going to a closet and pulling out two folded mats, laying them on the floor together.

“Beth purchased the mats you requested.” Conner sat Winter down on one.

“Today I am just going to see where you’re at in your recovery and show Evie some exercises for you to do in the morning and at night. From now on, I will make my regular time around one. Sound good?”

Both women nodded in agreement. An hour later, Winter wasn’t so sure. She had ditched her t-shirt and was sitting on the matt after the session was over, covered in sweat.

“Ready for the hot tub?” Connor asked.

“Yes,” Winter groaned her reply.

“I have a swimsuit for you.” Going to the closet Evie took out a small package, following behind as Conner carried Winter into the downstairs restroom. It didn’t take long for her to get changed.

“Who picked out this suit?”

“I did. Don’t you like it?” Evie smiled.

“There is nothing to it, it’s a thong. I don’t wear thongs and the top is too small,” Winter protested.

“You look great. Besides, no one is going to see it besides me and Conner.

She had a point. Giving in gracefully because she didn’t want to keep Conner waiting, Evie opened the door to the bathroom. Winter tried not to be embarrassed as he slowly lifted her into the hot tub where they sat relaxing for ten minutes before Conner called time. Evie helped her into a robe afterwards then guided Conner upstairs to Viper’s room. Winter was already falling asleep when he laid her on the bed.

Conner left with a wave at Evie, who waited until Conner left before untying Winter’s robe, not wanting her to get the bed damp, when Viper appeared in the doorway.

“I’ll take care of it.” Evie left as he was pulling the robe off and removing the damp bikini. He took a t-shirt from his drawer and pulled it over her head, noticing her nipples had tightened in the cool room. Covering her with a blanket, he turned the heat up slightly before lying down next to her on the bed.

T
he next two
days were physically hard for Winter, yet she did begin to feel stronger. She wouldn’t let Evie help her unless she needed it when using her wheelchair to get into the bathroom. Thankfully, the doorway and room were large enough. The evenings were spent upstairs in Viper’s room where either Evie or Beth would join her for dinner. Viper would only come in when she was asleep. Winter had learned to share the bed with Viper at night; it was hard to argue with someone when they waited for you to be in a medically induced sleep.

She had learned that he didn’t have a shy bone in his body. He refused to wear anything to bed, and would flash his body as he got out of bed or after a shower. Winter would look away, but somehow she had managed to ingrain his image in her mind and it would strike when she was quietly reading or relaxing on the couch watching television. Thankfully, the attraction he held for her, she had managed to convince herself was gone. She would never give him another opening to hurt her.

She allowed herself a casual flirtation with Conner. She could tell he was attracted to her, and he made her feel something that she hadn’t felt in a long time. He helped her feel normal again. Despite the wheelchair, she was beginning to do things on her own. Winter didn’t feel like an invalid anymore.

Every morning Viper would carry her downstairs before Connor arrived and would show up at the end of her therapy to pack her back upstairs. Conner and Viper didn’t talk, merely giving each other the bare minimum acknowledgement.

It was now Friday night and Winter was becoming stir crazy. The book she was reading was unable to divert her attention. Sighing, she closed the book, knowing that it was almost dinnertime and she would have Evie’s company for a few hours. When Evie brought her tray, though, she was dressed in booty shorts and a laced, red leather top with nothing underneath. Winter looked at her in surprise.

Evie gave her a smile. “It’s Friday night. We always have a party downstairs to unwind.”

Winter tried to keep her expression neutral so that Evie wouldn’t know her feelings were hurt.

“Maybe next week, Winter, when you’re stronger,” Evie said, sensing Winter’s emotions.

Winter smiled hesitantly and then picked up her fork. She could tell Evie was in a rush to leave, so she chased her away, picking up her book to read after she left. She could hear the music as well as the laughter from the men and giggles from the women coming from downstairs.

Finally, unable to focus on her book, she got herself ready for bed. Sliding into the cool sheets, she turned the light off and went to sleep.

Sometime during the middle of the night a hard bang against the wall startled her awake with a small scream of fright, which escaped before she could prevent it. A warm hand circled her nape, bringing her back down to Viper’s chest.

“Shh... go back to sleep,” he murmured.

“What was that?’ she asked sleepily.

“Nothing, go back to sleep.” His hand rubbed her back until he felt her go back to sleep.

Saturday, Winter woke early and dressed before Viper. She was sitting in her chair by the window, reading, when he stretched lazily awake.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Not long. I thought I would read until you woke.”

“I won’t be a minute.” True to his word, he was quick and Winter was downstairs eating breakfast before most of the others had dragged themselves out of bed. Evie came in with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing sweats and a t-shirt, followed by Jewell and Ember, who also took a seat at the table, all with dark circles under their eyes.

“I take it you all had fun,” Winter said with a smile.

“You could say that.” Evie smiled as Beth and Razer entered the kitchen. They fixed their plates then joined Winter at the table.

“We were just telling Winter we had a good time last night,” Evie said while Beth took a bite of her eggs.

Beth blushed, refusing to take her eyes off the plate. Winter looked at her curiously.

“I told her she could come next week if she’s stronger,” Evie said, watching for everyone’s reaction.

Beth and the others simply looked at Viper to see his response.

Hastily, Winter cut in, “That’s all right, I don’t want to intrude. I’ve already taken over so—”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Viper inserted, taking the bacon she had left uneaten off her plate.

“Good, I have just the outfit you can borrow.” Evie was practically jumping with excitement.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Beth shook her head. “She can borrow one of mine, and I will have a discussion with her beforehand. I will not allow a repeat of my first experience.”

Winter was getting the message this was no simple party. “Perhaps I may give it a pass. Thanks, anyway.”

“I think you would enjoy it. It won’t be as crowded as it usually is. Some of the members will be leaving Wednesday to go home for Thanksgiving. We always have a dinner here where everyone pitches in, but some members go home,” Jewell replied. Her dark hair hung loose around her face, and combined with her green eyes, gave Jewell a sultry appearance that made Winter feel plain and washed-out.

“I’ll think about it,” Winter said while playing with her food.

“Let’s get to your morning exercises.”

Evie worked her hard that morning and Winter was happy with the results she was seeing. She had quit taking her pain meds, preferring to deal with the tolerable pain versus staying on the medication for longer than necessary. After therapy was finished, they decided to forgo the hot tub, choosing to sit at the kitchen table and drink a cold beer instead, so Evie enlisted Razor—who had been working out—to carry Winter upstairs to the kitchen. They sat talking, enjoying their beers for a while and then Evie ordered Train to carry her to the living room sofa; he politely did as he was told before returning to the kitchen for his meal. Winter was still wearing her shorts and pink sports bra, but as no one was in the room, she didn’t let the exposure bother her.

Beth and Razer joined Evie and Winter in the sofa area as Rider came in with Natasha and sat at the bar laughing and talking. Evie left to get them another round of beers. As she did, she noticed Rider and Natasha glance her way before getting up and going up the stairs. Winter lowered her eyes, hurt that they had left because she was in the room.

She didn’t have long to feel bad, though, because Viper came in the front door with an angry stride not long after. Seeing everyone seated, he sat down on the sofa next to Winter, throwing his arm over the back.

“Want a beer or whiskey?” Razer asked.

“I just came from seeing Sam,” Viper snapped.

“Whiskey it is.”

Winter hadn’t asked any questions before, when she had thought they were friends. She would have quizzed him now, but decided to stay out of the discussion. However she didn’t close her ears to their discussion, either.

Razer handed him his drink and then sat back down next to Beth.

“She still insists that Gavin is the father of her baby. I told her I would help locate the kid no matter what, but she won’t change her story. I know Gavin didn’t touch the little bitch; she was underage and that was a rule he wouldn’t break.”

“I agree with you. I don’t believe he did, either,” Razer said, taking a drink of his beer.

Winter bit her lip, trying to stay out of the conversation, but she couldn’t help herself.

“Perhaps he didn’t have time to tell you before he was murdered,” Winter suggested. Samantha was Vincent Bedford’s daughter, Winter’s cousin. Evie had explained that Sam had told everyone that Viper’s brother had fathered her child before his death, wanting Viper to help her find the child that Vincent had hidden from her. Winter hadn’t even been aware that the girl had been pregnant.

Viper took a swallow of his drink and stood up. “I would expect you to take up for your family, but it’s because of them I don’t have my brother.” Viper picked up his glass, going into the kitchen, while Winter paled, feeling as if he had struck her.

“Razer, could I impose on you to help me to the bedroom?” Winter made sure her voice didn’t wobble. “Evie, I think I’ll lie down for a nap. If I could borrow a phone, I can give you a call when I want to take a shower.” For safety, Evie always waited in the bedroom in case Winter needed her help.

“That’s fine. We’re going to be eating lunch in thirty minutes. Want me to bring you something?” Evie asked, concern evident in her voice.

“No, I’ll wait for dinner.” Avoiding Beth’s compassionate gaze as Razer lifted her into his arms. Winter held herself stiffly as he carried her to Viper’s room. Razer sat her on the side of the bed, making sure her wheelchair was within reach.

“Need anything?”

Winter dared to reach out and touch his arm as he turned to leave. “No, I have everything I need. Thanks for all of your and Beth’s help, Razer.”

He nodded, giving her a funny look as he left. As soon as the door closed, Winter opened the phone and searched for the number she needed. It didn’t take long to find it and make the call. Hurriedly, she maneuvered herself into the wheelchair before getting herself dressed.

Throwing her medications into her purse, she put the strap around her neck and shoulder. She carefully opened the door, just cracking it to peep out into the hallway. If everyone was already in the kitchen and dining rooms eating lunch, she should have just enough time.

Opening the door wide, she rolled her chair quietly down the hall. When she got to the head of the stairs, she tried to look as best she could to see if anyone was sitting in the living room. Seeing no one, she glanced down to lock the wheelchair in place before gingerly sliding out of her chair. For a moment, she almost lost her balance then her butt landed hard on the floor. A small whimper escaped her lips as she slid her hips forward about to go down the top step, butt first. When she looked down the step, she would have fallen in surprise if she already didn’t have a death grip on the rail.

Viper was at the bottom of the steps, his foot frozen in place on the first step, and from the expression on his face, he was furious. Even the night he had gotten in a fight at the bar with the other motorcycle club he had held careful check on his emotions.

Winter was afraid of him. She did not know the man staring up at her. She tried to scoot backwards with pain shooting through her back, but the chair blocked her, so she tried to scramble into it when the doorbell rang, pausing her. She glanced back down towards the door.

Evie, who had come to the bottom of the steps, took in with a glance what was going on and went to answer the door with Viper watching.

“Someone call for a cab?” The cab driver waited expectedly.

Viper turned back to her.

Winter saw her chance for escape. Her mouth opened to yell, but she found a hard hand covering her mouth while another went around her waist, lifting her up and backwards into muscled arms. Wildly, Winter tried to shake herself loose, however she was held immobile as they backed silently away from the steps. Jewell followed, unlocking then rolling the wheelchair.

Winter could hear Evie telling the cab driver it was a mistake and offering him a twenty for his trouble before she was placed on the bed. Her mouth was released as Jewell closed the bedroom door. Rider stood staring down at her, shirtless with his pants half zipped while Jewell didn’t look much better. Her top was on inside out and she just had on panties.

“What were you thinking? You almost killed yourself?” Jewell whispered.

Before Winter could answer, the door slammed open.

“Get out.”

“Viper…” Jewell tried to calm him.

“Now!” Rider and Jewell left immediately. Evie tried to come into the room, but backed out quickly when Viper told her to go also.

“Do you know how close you came to falling and breaking your neck? What the fuck were you going to do?”

“I want to go home!” Winter yelled back. “You’re an asshole. I hate. Hate. Hate you!” Winter rolled to her side of the bed and started crying. She hadn’t cried when her mother died, when she had lost Loker or even when Jake had beaten her half to death. Other than a weak tear here or there, she had stayed strong. However, after months of being confined and feeling dehumanized, the look of contempt on Viper’s face for her had broken what little spirit she had left.

“I know you do.” Sliding into bed with her, he took her into his arms, holding her close. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have talked to you the way I did downstairs. I didn’t mean it. I was just so angry with Sam and her father that I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Will you forgive me?”

Winter was silent a long time. “I don’t know.” She sniffed, liking this soft Viper.

“Did anyone tell you that you know how to hold a grudge?”

“Yes, my mom told me that all the time.”

“I liked your mom.” Winter stiffened, but admitted the truth.

“She liked you, too.”

“Still want to take that nap?”

“Yes.”

Viper tugged off his boots and lay back down next to her, tugging her to him until her head laid on his shoulder. “Don’t do that maneuver again, Winter; you almost fell. The next time I yell at you, just throw something at me instead.”

“Okay,” she said, already half-asleep.