“You’re very welcome, Cassie,” he said before he turned to fill himself a plate. A few seconds later, he sat across from her, a plate piled twice as high as hers. After casting a quick glance at her, he dug into his food.
Despite her hunger and how good his food tasted, she took a moment to watch him eat. As she did, she realized something…she trusted this man. Call her crazy, but she believed he wouldn’t harm her. Believed he’d even work to keep her safe. Hopefully her intuition wouldn’t lead her astray.
What were her other options? Return to her apartment in a building owned by her father? Who knew if the key would even fit in the lock anymore? Live in a city where an outlaw biker club might be searching for her? Continue existing in a world she didn’t fit into while peering over her shoulder all the time? What kind of life would that be?
Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to live on her own terms. At the very least, hiding out in Oregon with Viper would buy her a few days to develop a sound plan and get her affairs in order.
Please don’t let me regret this.
“I’m in,” she said, heat rushing to her cheeks.
Eyebrow raised, he said, “Huh?”
“I’ll come with you to Oregon. If the offer is still on the table.”
For the first time since he walked in her room, he smiled. “Fuck yeah the offer’s on the table. Get your shit packed,” he said like she was on vacation and actually had shit to pack. “We leave in under an hour.”
Cassie smiled back at him and damn, for the first time since she’d discovered something was wrong with her drink, she didn’t feel afraid.
All thanks to this biker who was giving up his entire life to rescue her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PRESENT DAY - TENNESSEE
Cassie flipped the foyer light on as soon as she stepped into the silent house. After a quick final wave to Copper and Shell, as well as the poor prospect hanging out in her driveway all night, she shut the door to the outside world.
Normally, on a night like this, she’d head into the kitchen, grab the bottle of whiskey and pour a drink for Viper and her. They’d sit on the couch, all snuggled up and they’d chat about…well, everything. On warm nights, they’d abandon the couch and head for the back porch instead. Both of them enjoyed being outside and they’d been known to sit out there into the early morning hours. When they’d finally retired to their room, they’d get lost in the pleasure of each other’s bodies.
Even after so many years together, Viper had the ability to make her knees week and her brain short-circuit. He’d often told her he found her just as sexy today as when they met, and while she didn’t quite believe the words, he obviously never lost his desire for her.
Nor did he need help from any little blue pills, thank you very much.
Cassie grinned and as she did so, her gaze fell to their wedding photo. Her favorite picture they’d every taken. They were right there at the clubhouse. Cassie stood in her simple yet sexy short white dress with Viper’s arms around her. She remembered that photo like it was yesterday. The photographer instructed them to look at the camera and smile. Cassie did so, and the look on her face was one of sublime happiness. Viper, however, had turned her way at the very last second. Instead of smiling for the photo, the camera caught him staring down at Cassie with an expression of pure love and desire. If she’d ever doubted Viper’s love for her—which she never had—all she had to do was find this picture and she’d be reminded of his true feelings.
Just as she was about to head to her room for bed, an idea came to her. She stared at the picture for a moment longer before saying, “Oh, fuck it. Why the hell not?”
She kicked her boots off then left them right there in the middle of the den as she made her way to the kitchen. Less than a minute later, she was back in the den, glass of whiskey in hand. She kept the lights dim, leaving only the foyer fixture to illuminate the room in a soft glow. With a sigh, part exhaustion, part resignation, part acceptance, she sat on the sofa cushion closest to that picture.
“You’d have hated tonight,” she said with a chuckle as she lifted the glass to her lips. The sip of whiskey warmed its way to her stomach. Something she and Viper both loved about the drink. “So many stories told about you. So many people talking about how you were a hero, a loyal brother, one of the best men they’ve ever known. Couple of the gals even mentioned how you looked damn fine for your age.”