Viper (Hell's Handlers MC 9)

“Um, have you ever worked out?” Cassie asked, as she guided Jazz outside. “Because it sounds like you’re not sure exactly what it means.”

Their gazes connected and both women burst out laughing. Together, as though they’d planned the move, they turned when halfway down the driveway and gazed at the house Cassie had called home for decades.

The place wasn’t under contract yet, but there were a few seriously interested buyers, so most likely it’d be sold within the week. At least according to her realtor.

A heaviness settled in her heart, dragging it down to the pit of her stomach. Beside her, Jazz kept her arm around Cassie’s waist.

“You holding up?” she asked, resting her head on Cassie’s shoulder.

“I’m—”

Sad.

Scared.

Exhausted.

Nervous.

Heartbroken.

“I’m okay,” she said, taking in the gray-blue shutters Viper had repainted this past fall before the temperature dropped too low. They looked so nice against the almond color siding, giving the house a picturesque appearance. She’d loved planting and maintaining the bushes and flowers that decorated the front of the home. Both of them had taken pride in the appearance of their home, completing many repairs and design changes themselves. Oh, how she’d loved working as a team to turn their house into a home. Into a place where she’d cooked for so many of their club family members. Into a place she’d comforted crying ol’ ladies, welcomed and watched their children, and spent dozens of happy holidays.

Mostly, she’d loved sharing the space, sharing her life with Viper.

“You sure about that?” Jazz asked without shifting her attention from the house. “I imagine you’re feeling a whole crapload of heavy emotions right now.” She lifted her head and met Cassie’s gaze with a somber expression. “I hope you know you can talk to me as I’ve talked to you. I may not be nearly as wise, kind, or intelligent, but, Cassie, you’re one of my favorite people and I’d do anything to help you through this trying time.”

“Oh, Jazzy,” Cassie said as her eyes flooded. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t bawl like a baby when leaving the house. Who’d have thought one little pixie would shoot that all to hell? “Thank you so much. I’m—”

Her phone chimed from her back pocket. “Let me see what that is in case there’s an issue.” After fishing the phone out, she checked the screen. One missed text from Shell. Hopefully she hadn’t keeled over when she saw just how much stuff Cassie had. A quick swipe of her thumb pulled up a pic with a message that read, “Get your butt over here, Mama! We can’t wait any longer.”

In the photo, Beth sat on Copper’s shoulders. His big hands held her feet, keeping her safe from falling as she had her hands thrown up in the air. Both wore huge grins. They stood under a sign that read, “Welcome Home Cassie,” and the room behind them was full of balloons.

Her heart which had felt like a lead anvil only moments ago, lightened and nearly burst from her chest. Damn, she had a truly incredible family.

“That is just too damn cute,” Jazz said, making no bones about the fact that she read over Cassie’s shoulder.”

“You know what? I really am okay. Yes, my heart hurts, and I’ve thought of Viper about a thousand times today as I do every day, but I am okay. I’m excited to be surrounded by family and to watch Copper raise two children.”

Jazz’s head fell back on her shoulders and she let out a cackling laugh. “Oh, it’s gonna be a trip, that’s for sure.”

Chuckling along with her friend, Cassie said, “Can you imagine what he’s gonna be like when they’re teenagers? Especially if he has two girls?”

“Oh man, you might wanna move out by then. It’s gonna be ugly.”

By the time they finished laughing, both women had tears in their eyes for reasons of mirth instead of grief.

“Oh man,” Jazz said as she wiped under her eyes. “That’s good stuff.” She fell quiet, pressing her lips together for a moment. “You know…” Tilting her head to the side, she half-smiled. “He’d be so damn proud of you, Cassie. God, he loved you. Is that okay for me to say?”

More than okay. It was necessary.

“Of course it’s okay. That’s something I will never tire of hearing. Now, enough about me. How are you?”

For a moment, it seemed Jazz would blow off the question, but she sighed instead. Both of them knew Cassie wasn’t asking a general question. She wanted to know how Jazz was handling Viper’s death as she was the one he died protecting.

There wasn’t a single cell in Cassie’s body that blamed the other woman, but that didn’t mean Jazz hadn’t taken on the blame even though they’d spoken of this already.

“I’m all right. I have moments that sneak up on me where I feel profound guilt.” Jazz shrugged and stared at the house.