“No, Viper, you can’t.” Winter shook her head, trying to touch him, but he backed away.
He looked at his hands, clenching them into fists. “I made every nook and cranny safe in the club. No mail comes in that house until it’s taken to the back of the factory to get checked out. I even paid Dr. Price a fucking fortune to move to town in case you convinced me to get you pregnant. Didn’t know that, did you?”
“No, I didn’t.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Well, I did.”
“If you knew I couldn’t change your mind… I don’t understand.”
“Because I’m not fucking ready. Just like I wasn’t ready when Gavin came to Treepoint and got his ass killed!” Viper’s hand clenched in a fist, punching himself on his chest.
“I needed more time with him, and I need more time with you.” Viper’s face was a mask of pain. He had been tortured by his brother’s death, and her telling him she was pregnant had been the worst thing she could have done.
“I told him to wait until I could go with him. He wouldn’t listen. He said he could handle it on his own. He kept telling me I didn’t have to watch his back at every move he made. It turned into a big argument. We didn’t even talk the week before he left.
“I was pissed at him. If he wanted to do it on his own, he didn’t need any other brothers going with him. When he didn’t answer any of my or Ton’s texts, I still thought he was being a dick, blowing me off. If Shade hadn’t shown me the money was missing from our account, it would have taken even longer before I figured out he was missing.”
“That wasn’t your fault—”
“Yes, it was. I was his president and his brother, and I failed him, just like I failed you when you were getting the shit beaten out of you. I need more time with you, so if anything happens, you’ll know I’ll be there for you.
“That wasn’t your fault, either. I was wrong when I told you that. I didn’t mean it. I was upset about Sasha.”
“You meant it. The truth always comes out when you don’t care about hurting someone.”
“That’s true. I was being a jealous bitch, and I wanted you to hurt as badly as I was. Gavin was angry, and he left without giving you both the chance to heal the breach between you. I apologized for being a bitch. Did you accept the apology?”
“You know I did.” He flushed before admitting, “But it still hurts inside.”
“You hurt the ones you love the most, Viper. Gavin just didn’t have the time to tell you he was sorry before he was killed. Gavin was wrong; he should have waited for you. I was wrong for saying that to you when I thought you were cheating. Thank God I had the opportunity to tell you I was sorry. Gavin wasn’t as lucky.
“You can’t place the blame on your shoulders. The Last Riders don’t blame you for Gavin’s death. If they did, they wouldn’t have made you their president. They gave you their trust, just like I did when I married you. I might have had doubts when Sasha sent that text, but I never thought you would fail to keep me safe.”
Viper gave a bitter laugh that made the hair on her arms stand up.
“You don’t fucking know me. You see these hands?” He arrogantly strode forward, placing his palms up before her. “Do you know how many men I have killed with these hands? Do you!” His voice rose. “Dozens when I was in the military and at least eighteen since I’ve gotten out.” His voice lowered ominously. “About a quarter mile from the clubhouse, there is a graveyard with no markers. No one will ever find the bastards there.”
“Who?” she asked through numb lips.
“The deputy who beat you for one. I have to admit, I enjoyed killing him the most. If Bedford gets out of prison, he will die by my hands. I’ll make sure of that. He would already be dead if I could find a way without the Last Riders being blamed. Beth’s father is there. Believe me, you don’t want to know how that son of a bitch died. I buried—”
“Stop!” Winter cried out.
“You don’t want me to tell you who else is buried there?”
“No, it’s making me sick.”
“That’s the man who’s been touching you every day and night.” His shoulders dropped in despondency, his hands falling to his sides.