Mad Dog (Angel’s Rebellion MC: #2) (Angel's Rebellion MC), стр. 44

Silence met me.

“Babe? Did you hear me?”

“Mmm hmm.”

I smiled down at the woman lying in front of me. I leaned over and gently kissed the corner of her mouth, then forced myself to leave while I still had the strength of will to do so.

I made my way into the kitchen and went straight to the coffee pot. I was a little later than normal, but it was still not quite seven yet. I glanced around to see that nothing had been cooked. It appeared Molly and Val had a long night.

I went into the pantry, grabbed a couple cream cheese Danishes and a couple blueberry muffins then made my way to a table. As I opened one up, I wondered if Viper had already come and gone. Someone had to have made the coffee. Just as I was about to take a healthy bite of my Danish, the kitchen door opened and speaking, or in this case, thinking of the devil, Viper walked in the door.

“Morning, Brother. Coffee's the only thing made. There's some muffins and stuff in the pantry.” He nodded upon hearing my words.

I was opening my other Danish when he sat down across from me at the table. As I glanced up at him, I saw that he was studying me and had a half assed smirk on his face.

“What?” I muttered.

He snickered at me.

“What's so fucking funny? I got food on my face? On my shirt?” I glanced down to make sure nothing was on me, then looked back up at him to see him laughing quietly at me.

“All right motherfucker, what's so damn funny.”

“Good night, Brother?”

How the fuck did the man do that shit? I don't care what he said, he was more than just observant.

“Do I have a fucking sign on me somewhere saying I got laid?” I growled out at him.

He was openly laughing his ass off at me now. Dammit. He was pissing me off.

“Written all over you, Brother.”

“How the fuck is that?”

With a smile still on his face he said, “You look happy. Relaxed. Sated.”

Well fuck me. Did one night of being balls deep in Ava change my look that much?

“I take it you two got along okay,” he said as he opened a muffin.

“How the fuck you know it was her?”

“You told me yourself you hadn't been with any of the club girls in months.”

“It could have changed.”

“Don't lie to yourself, Brother. Never seen you look like this after you've been with one of them.”

I looked at him feeling haunted. Was it too soon? Was it because she was so much different than Beth? Fuck. I wanted her in my life, I knew that, but I was fucking scared as hell too.

“Don't question yourself,” he stated. “If it feels right, go for it.”

“Worried, Brother.”

“Why?”

“Never felt anything like this ever, not even with Beth. And that fucking terrifies me and makes me feel guilty as hell.” I said as I lowered my gaze to the table.

“Dog,” he snapped, and I jerked my head up looking him square in the face. “It's been twenty years. Pretty sure your Beth would have wanted you to be happy. If Ava makes you happy, then go for it.”

“Fuck, Vip. It's not even been a day. How the fuck can I even be thinking what I'm thinking?”

He leaned back, grabbed his cup and took a drink of coffee. “Has you tied up in knots, huh?”

“That's an understatement. Last night, I finally felt like I was home. Touching her was like touching dynamite, explosive as hell, but at the same time it felt so fucking right, like that was where I was meant to be.”

“Can I give you a word of advice?” he asked, and I nodded at him. “If it feels right, don't question it. You're both old enough to know what you want. You've both been to hell and back, and personally I think with each of you knowing how the other feels about that, it's a healthy thing.

“You will be able to talk to her about it and her with you. You can be each other's safe haven. We all need one, Brother. Without Mia and Jennie to ground me, I'd be dead already. I know I can cast my cares on them, and they'll be there for me, supporting me, loving me, and, Brother, there’s nothing like that feeling in the whole damn world. Nothing.”

I sat and thought about what he said, and he was right, if anyone would know how I felt about Beth, it would be Ava. And in that respect, I knew how she felt about Brian and Mason and the need to make someone pay for their deaths.

“You don't think it's too fast?”

“Brother, none of us are promised tomorrow. You know that better than anyone. If love finds you again, take it and run and never look back. Won't be a person here who won't be happy for you, that I promise. Live, Dog. And let everything else go.”

Damned if what he said didn't make sense. I looked at him and lifted my chin. He was right. It was time for me to live again, not just emotionally coast through the days. My life has been a good one, but I wanted more. I wanted Ava. And I was going to do everything in my power to keep her beside me. Whatever it took, whatever it may be. She was it for me. I felt that deep down in my soul.

“Thanks, Viper. Needed to hear that.”

“Always here for you, Brother. Told you that. For anything. Doesn't matter what. Got me?” he asked as he stared at me intently.

“Yeah, Brother. Got you. Just know that works both ways. You got me?”

He halfway smiled at me and murmured, “Yeah, Brother. I got you.”

Abruptly the kitchen door slammed open and Jemma ran in.

“Dadddddddddd,” she hollered. “I'm fucking starving. You gonna come cook us breakfast?”

“Jemma Elizabeth, if you don't quit that damn cussing,