Viper (Hell's Handlers MC 9)

He grasped her now trembling hand and held it against his chest. “Go ahead,” he said, nodding toward the center of the room where someone had parked Viper’s bike.

Not the one he’d ridden up until the day he died, no, his old bike. The one they’d ridden together as they’d fled Washington all those years ago. The tables and chairs in the clubhouse had been shoved to the perimeter of the room and standing around the bike in a large circle was each and every member of her and Viper’s club family. Dressed in all black, they made a somber, yet beautiful picture. The women each held a candle which casted a glow on the bike while all the men held a glass with a double shot of what she assumed was Wild Turkey. Viper’s favorite drink. He was a simple man, never one for frivolity or overindulgence. Except when it came to her. He’d indulged every damn desire she’d ever had.

All of a sudden, Cassie’s chest tightened. Were Viper here, he’d tell them all to fuck off and get to partying instead of wasting their energy on grief. But secretly, he’d have been honored. Her throat thickened and she literally felt the love her family had for her husband as though it was a warm, soft, blanket surrounding her.

“C-copper,” she whispered again, trembling now.

“I know,” he answered, and she swore her voice wasn’t the only one with a tremor.

“Thank you.”

He squeezed her hand and nodded. “Go on,” he said before releasing her.

Cassie drew her hand from the warmth of Copper’s giant mitt. On legs that quivered, she walked a few steps forward. Not a sound could be heard beyond her quiet footfalls. All eyes stayed on her, but she only had eyes for Viper’s bike. Tears filled her eyes. She allowed them to fall. No one would hold the crying against her, and she couldn’t have stopped it regardless. Each step brought her closer to a piece of Viper that meant so much more to them than chrome, leather, nuts, and bolts.

Movement to her right caught her attention. She shifted her gaze to find Jazz standing between her men, shaking fingers wiping away her own tears. The poor kid had a mountain of guilt over Viper’s death and no matter how many times Cassie had assured her of her innocence, she still claimed responsibility.

Sweet girl.

Jazz tilted her head as though to ask if Cassie wanted her by her side. The black leather leggings and fitted long-sleeved black blouse were so Jazz. Classy yet sassy at the same time.

One small shake of her head had Jazz nodding and backing up. Screw kissed the top of her head and Gumby slipped an arm around her waist. Bless those two men and their love for Jazmine.

As much as Cassie wanted to reach out and take every hand offered, she needed to do this on her own. After a few more steps, she found herself next to the bike. God, how many years had it been since they’d ridden this motorcycle? Fifteen at least. Yet, she was still beautiful. Shiny chrome, smooth leather seat, gorgeous blue paint job on the gas tank. That had been a gift from Cassie to Viper. A wedding present. She’d saved every single extra penny she’d earned. He’d been floored when he’d seen the custom paint job.

So many fantastic memories of a life lived together.

She ran her hand over the soft seat as she breathed in and she swore she could smell Viper’s cologne as he sat astride that bike.

After giving her a few moments with her thoughts, Copper cleared his throat.

Cassie turned to see him standing with Shell at his side. Her fitted black dress highlighted the adorable baby bump that seemed to grow by the day. She held her husband’s hand, and by the white of Shell’s knuckles, she squeezed him hard. One thing the loss of a close friend or family member did was make everyone cling just a little tighter to their loved ones. Death could be a scary slap in the face by reality.

Nothing was guaranteed. Every life was precious. Every relationship priceless.

Copper cleared his throat again before accepting a glass of whiskey from Zach who stood to his right. “A lot was said earlier at the funeral about the type of man Viper was, how much he loved his club, and how much we fucking loved him back.”

Warmth spread through Cassie’s chest as a chorus of agreement in the form of, “fuck yeah,” and “damn straight,” went around the room.

“That’s right,” Copper said. “So instead of continuing to feed his ego, I’m gonna make this toast about something else.”

Cassie chuckled right along with everyone else even as fat tears continued to roll down her cheeks. Viper was the least egotistical man she’d ever met, hence Copper’s joke.