Page 20 of Quadruplets for the Vipers (Never Just One #3)

Jace

T he second Leah and Knox walk in the front door, it’s obvious that they’ve hooked up. I can tell from the shit-eating grin on Knox’s face and the flush on Leah’s cheeks. She looks happy and relaxed. Knox certainly did his job and then some.

“Well, you two look like you had fun.”

Predictably, Leah looks as guilty as sin. “We went to the beach.”

“I can see that.” I nod at the trail of sand behind them. “I hope I can join next time,” I add with a wink, enjoying watching Leah squirm. “While you two were off having fun, we’ve been busy making progress.”

“You have?” Knox interjects eagerly. “Do we know what the Hellhounds wanted with Leah?” He frowns, balling his fists, raring for a fight.

“Not yet, but we’ve got a lead. We’re heading out to meet with the guys from the Vagabonds tonight to see what they know. Axel and Rider have already gone ahead to check out the place.”

“What about Leah? We can’t leave her here alone.”

“That’s why she’s coming with us.”

Both Leah and Knox seem startled by my response.

“I am?”

“She is?”

“The Vagabonds are allies, I think it would be good for Leah to meet others like us,” I say pointedly. “We’re meeting on neutral territory away from the Hellhounds. Leah will be safe with us. Besides, there’s some live music night at the bar we’re going to, Axel thought Leah would enjoy it.”

A pained look of guilt and shame flickers across Leah’s face.

It seems that the guys have failed to express to her how unbothered we are by sharing.

Though I suppose it’s not something you can really understand until you’re living it.

So many people who claim not to be jealous are lying to themselves.

“Well, go on and get ready then, we’ve gotta go soon.”

Leah nods and darts off, grateful for the escape. Knox hovers, wanting to follow but trying to play it cool.

“You look like the cat who got the cream,” I smirk at him.

He grins back proudly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You two have all the subtlety of a truck. You might as well go after her. But don’t forget that she’s fair game now, I’m not following the rules if you aren’t,” I say with a wink.

“I’d like to see you try.” Knox challenges with a wide grin that bares his teeth.

We’re always competitive with one another, especially when it comes to women, though we’re more than happy to share, we still try to one-up each other. I hope Leah knows what she’s let herself in for.

***

The party is in full swing by the time we arrive.

Leah’s eyes light up as she takes in her surroundings.

Her focus lands on the band on stage that is drawing a crowd of people to the dance floor with their popular rock classics.

She smiles and gets a dreamy, far-away look in her eyes as she subconsciously sways in time to the beat, lost in the music.

I can see why Axel wanted her to come tonight.

Leah is somehow even more breathtaking, the music igniting a passion from deep within her that brings her to life.

Like moths to a flame, every person we walk past is mesmerized.

I spot Rider across the room, ever alert, standing next to the booth where the others are sitting.

I take her hand under the pretext of guiding her through the crowd.

I’m reluctant to let her go when we get there, feeling strangely bereft without her hand in mine as Axel introduces her to the others.

“Leah, this is Diego, Mateo, Rafael, and their old lady, Valentina. They’re part of the Vagabonds motorcycle clubs, allies of ours.”

I watch as Leah processes the information about the polyamorous partnership.

That’s no doubt the real reason why Axel wanted Leah here tonight.

The man isn’t exactly subtle, but at least he’s giving Leah another choice, showing her how things could work out if she wanted them to.

I wonder if that factors in Rider and me.

It certainly would for us, but I can’t tell if Leah likes me or merely tolerates me.

And while Rider is clearly smitten, his love language is aloof silence.

The man has zero game when it comes to women and has hardly dared to say two words to Leah.

Knowing Rider, he thinks that if he ever made a pass at Leah, she’d run screaming for the hills.

I’ve been so busy mulling over Leah’s reactions, I’ve missed the initial greetings.

Knox has also nabbed the seat on the other side of Leah, leaving me to perch on the edge.

Even though it’s completely obvious to me that Axel not only knows but also doesn’t mind that Knox and Leah hooked up, Leah seems uncomfortable.

It seems we’re going to have to spell things out for her.

As we make small talk, Leah begins to relax. She and Valentina seem to get along, laughing and chatting. Valentina has a way of drawing people in and putting them at ease. I can tell Leah is itching to ask more about her relationship with the three guys, but is too polite and uncertain of how to.

Despite the turmoil that led us to arrange this meeting, it’s good to catch up with the guys, regaling Leah with stories and making the girls laugh and roll their eyes over our stupid hijinks. Zeus was good friends with Diego’s father, so we go way back.

“As much as we’d love to shoot the shit all night guys, I’m afraid this isn’t just a social visit,” Axel says.

The others nod solemnly. “We heard about Zeus and his old lady, they were good people. They didn’t deserve to go out like that. Our apologies again for your loss, and that we were unable to attend the funeral.”

“We were out of the country, taking the kids to meet their abuela, Rafael’s mom, in Mexico,” Valentina interjects for Leah’s benefit.

No one else but me spots how Knox lightly squeezes Leah’s leg, a silent instruction not to reveal her interest in the children by giving away her pregnancy. The Vagabonds are our friends, but right now we don’t know who we can trust. It’s safer to keep the baby a secret for now.

Axel inclines his head in acknowledgement. “As you are aware, the Hellhounds are responsible for their murders. Last night, two of them infiltrated our bar in disguise and then broke into Zeus’ home where Leah and I were sleeping. We want to know what their goal is.”

Mateo shrugs. “Isn’t it obvious? They’re making moves on your club, and want to eliminate any threats. You’re the most obvious candidate to replace Zeus as Prez. Either they want to ensure a Hellhound sympathizer takes over, or they want to destroy you completely.”

“True, but the Hellhounds pale in comparison to the Steel Vipers. A move like this before would be suicide, but something’s changed. Not only have they managed to evade us, it looks like they’ve recruited a bunch of new members overnight.”

Leah looks surprised by this information.

We’ve managed to keep the situation hidden from her so far.

Even so, I thought she’d have figured it out by now.

It’s the only reason the Hellhounds are still standing and not immediately crushed by us following the first attack.

It’s another reminder of how Leah doesn’t belong in our world.

We’ll do anything to protect her and those babies, but she has no idea about the lifestyle she’s found herself a part of.

“We don’t know of any new alliances with the Hellhounds, and they can’t have this many new prospects without a serious cash injection.

The idiots that came for us last night were going rogue, the attack was sloppy and largely unprepared, whereas everything else has been coordinated and professional.

What we need to know is who is behind this and why. ”

Diego scratches his beard thoughtfully. “I’ve heard rumors of a crime boss who was looking to buy out an MC.

Most turned him down, he was into some real nasty shit that goes against most of our codes of ethics.

We might be one percenters, but we’ve got our morals.

I didn’t get to meet the man, but he sent some of his guys to propose a deal some months back now.

They were pretty cryptic, but made it clear that in exchange for helping with some serious shit they’d make us more rich and powerful than we could imagine. ”

“What kind of shit?”

“The kinda shit we ain’t touching. Human trafficking, even of kids. The real basest shit that only monsters fuck around with,” he spits in disgust.

“Did you get a name?”

Diego shakes his head in disappointment. “Whoever this guy is, he’s a ghost. If the Hellhounds are working for him, they’re no longer an inconsequential rival.”

“Can you do some digging?”

“Of course, brother. If they’re coming for the Vipers, we won’t be far behind. Men like this are never satisfied.”

With the heavy stuff out of the way, I try to lighten the mood, flirting and teasing the girls and generally acting the clown.

Sometimes a little light relief is needed when you’re in the midst of a war, and it’s become all too clear that this fight between the Hellhounds and their mysterious partner is only just beginning.

Luckily, I’m good at it, and soon everyone is able to push the darkness to the back of their minds and enjoy the rest of the evening as we slip back into easy banter between friends.

“Next up on stage, Mateo,” the announcer calls.

Mateo stands, kissing Valentina on the cheek. “Ah, mi amore , a song for you.”

She kisses him back, smiling indulgently and watching him as he walks to the stage.

“Wait, is this an open mic night?” Leah asks in surprise as she finally realizes.

“It sure is, why, do you want a shot on stage?”

Leah balks like a deer in headlights. “Oh no… I don’t… I couldn’t…”

“Sure, you could! A little birdie told me you’re a musician, I’d love to hear you sing!”

Leah shoots Axel a filthy glare, but after some wheedling peer pressure from Valentina, I can see that the only thing holding her back when she really wants to perform is her nerves.

“I’d offer to get up with you, but I sound like a drowning cat when I sing. I couldn’t be blessed with the voice of an angel as well as the face,” I quip.

“I’ll get up with you to perform with you, if you want.”

Our gazes snap up to Rider in disbelief.

Our silent, stoic friend who hides in the shadows and would rather disappear into the furniture is offering to get up to stand and perform on stage.

Before the war, Rider was a hell of a musician, but the only time we ever hear him play guitar now is at home, when the haunting, melancholy sounds can be heard late at night when he can’t sleep.

“You play?” she asks, pleasantly surprised.

“He’s incredible,” Knox interjects with excited wonder.

“Alright then, I’ll go up if Rider comes with me,” Leah steels herself determinedly.

Seeming not to trust himself to speak, or perhaps wondering what possessed him to offer in the first place, Rider nods.

“Come on, we can sign you two up now and then find a spot at the front of the stage, Mateo is about to start!” Valentina squeals excitedly, grabbing Leah’s hand and leading the way.

Mateo gets the crowd riled up, and Valentina dances provocatively with Diego and Rafael, not caring who is watching.

Any hope I had of a similarly raunchy dance with Leah is dashed as she and Rider lose themselves in a deep discussion about music.

I can’t be too gutted that I don’t get a chance to show off my dirty dancing moves, though, since this is the most animated I’ve seen Rider in a long time.

When they finally take the stage, it’s clear they’re both nervous as hell, but as soon as Rider starts to play guitar, Leah picks up the melody and begins to sing.

A hush descends over the room as people stop to take notice.

They’re good. Really good. Leah has a sultry voice with a natural cadence.

She might not hit crazy high notes or sound ultra polished like most artists in LA, but her voice has soul.

A raw talent that works perfectly with Rider accompanying.

My eyes are glued to her and I couldn’t look away, even if I wanted to.

She’s incredible. I finally look at my best friend, and if I hadn’t fallen in love with Leah already, looking at him now decides it for me.

For a brief moment, Rider is the man I thought we’d lost. He’s not the tortured, scarred shell, the ghost that returned from the war, but the enigmatic leader who once lit up any room.

The pair lose themselves in the music, performing several songs to the delighted audience before finally finishing to rapt applause.

Leah jumps into Rider’s arms, hugging him and planting a kiss on his scarred cheek.

He’s so happy he doesn’t even flinch. As he places Leah back down, she beams at us before finally taking in the audience.

Only then does her stage fright kick in.

Her eyes widen in horror, and she looks as if she’s seen a ghost. Before we can react, she flees off stage and rushes to the ladies’ room.

I’ve no idea how she can be afraid. She’s incredible. For a moment, she conjured true magic on that stage.

At that moment, I knew I was lost. Like a groupie and their favorite band, I know I’ll follow her anywhere.