“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.

“You weren’t what was making me sick. Those men were. Do you expect, if Deputy Moore was buried in our backyard, I wouldn’t spit on his grave if I could? You expect me to be sorry Beth’s father is dead after that self-righteous bastard tortured her and then tried to kill Razer, Lily, and his own daughter? Hell no! I hope he burns in Hell. When you get ready to kill Vincent, let me know. I want you to piss on his grave.” Winter took a deep breath, trying to settle the rage that had taken over.

“I don’t need to know who else is there if they deserved it. You wouldn’t have killed without a reason. I trust you. It’s you who doesn’t trust me, Viper.” She reached out, taking his hands in hers. “You have been shouldering everyone’s demands and problems for so long you have forgotten how to ask for help.” She raised his hands, kissing his fingers as she listed those who depended on him. “All of the members of the Last Riders, their wives, the clubhouse in Ohio, me, my aunt, the factory, the school board, Hennessy, the Blue Horsemen, Penni—all of us have been taking from you.” She spread his fingers wide. “You don’t have anything left for yourself… or a child. That’s why you became so upset.”

Winter leaned over and reverently kissed each of his palms before straightening and twining her fingers through his. “You don’t have to do everything alone. If you learn to lean on me when it becomes too much, I won’t let you down again. I swear.”

“What if you’re not here?” His voice ached with raw emotion.

“Then you have all those men waiting down below to help you. If anything happens to me, do you think they wouldn’t help you raise our child? They would walk through the fires of hell for you. If we lose the baby, then we’ll deal with it together. It would be painful, but we could get through it together.”

Viper yanked their clasped hands, pulling her closer. “I love you so much. I’m sorry I was such an ass.”

Winter laid her head on his chest, feeling his beating heart against her cheek. “It’s not me who needs the apology.”

His face lightened. “I’m really going to be a father?”

Winter laughed huskily when he placed his hand on her abdomen.

“According to Dr. Matthews. But he’s going to call in the morning when my blood work gets back.”

“It better be a son, because we’re only going to go through this once.”

“Yes, sir.”

Viper let her go to pick up the empty cans and throw them in the trashcan someone had placed there for dead flowers. He then took her arm, leading her down the winding trail, coming out to see the Last Riders silently waiting. Their concern for Viper clear on their faces. Even Moon had been sitting anxiously, waiting for his leader’s appearance.

When he saw them, he gave them a huge grin. Then he lifted Winter in his arms, placing a passionate kiss on her lips and grinning at her wickedly before turning to greet his men.