Chapter 35

I wander around for I don't know for how long when Viper finds me. I haven't paid attention to anyone or anything going on around me. All I can do is try to hold myself together and hope no one can see the shame I'm carrying. God if Viper ever found out he would kill them with his bare hands. And It would cause problems in the club. I won’t let that happen. No one will ever know. It will be our secret. I know they don’t want anyone to know or they would have something. That should have been my first clue.
Oh God, what would Viper think of me? Would he ban me from the club? Disown me? What would Mac and Alaric think? " There you are. I've been looking for you," he says. I plaster on my best fake smile because there is no way in hell I could give him a real one. " What's up?" " There are a couple of guys who want to meet you," he says. I look up at him " Meet me? Why?"
He smiles at me " They saw Tank's helmet and are interested in your work." That gets a real smile out of me. I love talking about my designs and showing them off. And right now I need a pleasant distraction. And Viper just handed me one on a silver platter. " Well, lead the way," I say and put my hand in the crook of his elbow.
Viper brings to the backyard of the clubhouse towards two men sitting on top of a picnic table. We stop in front of them and I have to back up to look up at them. For crying out loud, am I ever going to meet a biker that isn't six feet tall? " Merigold, I would like you to meet Casper." Viper says and points to the guy right in front of me.
He has golden blonde hair that reminds me of wheat growing in the fields. His eyes are dark brown, almost black. He has chiseled features on his face. It is almost perfect except for a scar under his right eye. But the scar doesn’t take away from his attractiveness. He is wearing a kutte but I can't tell what club it is. But I see his patch that says he is the Sgt. At Arms. The man is built like a brick house. I think his muscles have muscles. " Nice to meet ya" And offer him my hand. Instead of shaking it he turns it and kisses the top. "Ma'am"
" And this is Vice." Viper points to the man standing next to Casper. He has black hair similar to mine. He has green eyes that shine in the light. His face is classic handsome, almost the boy next door look. He isn't as muscular as Casper but he has them. I can see his washboard abs through his shirt. His patch tells me he is his club's Road Captain.
I offer my hand to him and he shakes it " Ma'am." " I understand you saw Tank's helmet and had some questions for me." Casper speaks up " Yea. It is really good work. I haven't seen anything like it. The detail is incredible." " You won't see anything like it. Tank's design was specifically done for him. It was personalized for him. It is one of a kind. You might find copies but they won't be as good. There are small details that no one can duplicate. I can assure you. "
"How can you be sure of that?" Casper asks. I smirk " Because not only did I design it I'm the one who painted it on his helmet. There are details that unless you know what you are looking for you won't see them. I put things in my one of a kind designs to set mine apart from anyone else's."
"Do you do a lot of originals?" Casper asks. " When I get asked I do. Each one is personalized for the person requesting it." I answer." Do you have any others that we could see?" Vice asks. " Unfortunately not on me. I have a portfolio at home. If you have Viper tell me next time you are here I can bring it by." Viper clears his throat " That's not entirely true sis." I look up at him with my brow raised.
It takes me a second to realize what he is talking about. "Actually he is right but we need more light." I say. Viper pulls out his phone and turns on his flashlight. I turn my back to Casper and Vice. I reach back and pull my hair out of the way and reveal my tattoo. Viper hovers his phone over my shoulder." That is one of mine as well. Only seven like it in the world"
Viper
While I’m helping Merigold show off her tattoo to Casper and Vice I notice her skin color. I’m hoping it is just the light of my phone. Merigold has always been pale but somehow her skin looks paler. And when I found her earlier I noticed how tired she looked. I know she has been busy. So have I. I know she doesn’t like to bother me but I would like it if she would come to me if she needs help. Or if she is feeling overwhelmed.

She isn’t the type to do that so I’m going to have to just give her the help she needs. I will take on some stuff at the shop this week. I’ll spend some more time with my nephews to give her a break. I need to hang out with the little guys anyway. I haven’t seen them in two weeks. I miss those little balls of energy. I need to manage my time better to spend more time with Merigold and the boys. Before she came here all I had to do was deal with the club and dad. I never had a reason to do anything else. Now I need to make the effort. I don’t want to think about the fact that if she doesn’t think I’m here for her she will go back to Alabama.

I shake my head to rid it of those thoughts. I will do better by my sister. As I’m listening to her talk about her designs and the things she can do I think it is just one more thing I am proud of her. She may have had a shit life but she didn't let it knock her down. She found a support system and made something of herself. And made herself strong.