Viper’s Defiant Mate

Prologue

Prologue

Pearl's Rules for Living:

Use your brain - that is why you have one. Safety is something you take seriously, otherwise you end up dead. If you have expressive eyes, keep them covered if you are going to bluff. Give someone enough rope, and they are bound to get tangled and hang themselves. Always carry a roll of quarters, you can do your laundry and knock out bad guys at the same time. There are rules and there are rules, pick which ones work for you. Don't f**k up unless you are willing to make it right. Mistakes are good, learn from them and move on. Always stay alert and don't let your guard down. Ask yourself, ‘Am I ready for this?’ If the answer is yes, go for it. If the answer is no, run like hell. If you are going to hit someone, make sure they stay down the first time. You might not get a second chance. Don’t trust a man, especially a good-looking one who starts out with sweet words. Same goes for a woman, she just wants something. A good book and fresh batteries can make your day tolerable. Your word is your honor, be careful what you promise. Humor solves any problem; think in animation. The only opinion you have to worry about is your own, since you have to live with it. Be the best possible you that you can be. Your goal each day is to make it a good one. Words can be as powerful as a fist; be careful how you use them. If you or your family/friends’ lives are on the line, ignore all of the above except Rule Number 1.Unbreakable rule: Family and friends come first. Be loyal, be true, and love them like there is no tomorrow.

Pearl sighed as she wiped the splatter of beer from the frame on the wall. A sad smile curved her lips as she stared at the words carefully printed on it. She wasn’t perfect, no one was, which is what she tried to show her granddaughters. It was okay not to be perfect, it was being the best possible person you could be that mattered.

The list started out as fun as she and the girls added to it. It had changed a little over the years, especially the order, but the Unbreakable Rule remained the same. If Riley was following it, she would be alright, wherever she was.

Pearl rubbed her left hand over the ache in her chest as she thought about her granddaughters. They were her world and she would do anything she could to make sure they were safe. Unfortunately, she hadn't done as good a job as she had hoped. Riley was missing and Tina... Well, Tina had closed her heart up so tight, Pearl didn't know what to do. Turning away from the list over the bar, she surveyed the mess on the other side of the long bar. It had been a wild night and she was glad that Tina had missed it.

“Alright, boys,” Pearl called out as she picked up the broom and nodded to the bouncer standing over them. Her eyes ran over the small group of men lying in a bloody mess on the floor. “It’s clean up time The White Pearl way. Open your wallets if you know what is good for you, you have some furniture to replace.”