Reclaiming her ( Forgotten Sons book 1)

Chapter 7

Viper

I gave up on trying to sleep last night. After speaking with Blade and deciding we were visiting his family and their new neighbours, I turned in for the night, no longer in the mood to talk to anyone.

All night, my mind was plagued with visions of her and the time we spent together. I shouldn't even care. It's been ten years. She's most likely moved on. She could be married for all I know. I should just let it go and not try to see her, but something inside of me wants answers. She was the only person I ever let my guard down in front of and told about my messed up life. We used to talk all night about our families and the stuff they would put us through. Her parents sounded horrible, always expecting perfection.

As I lay there wide awake, I continue to let my mind wander. Visions of that auburn hair splayed across the grass, her hazel eyes twinkling under the moonlight. I wonder if she still looks the same or if she's changed dramatically. What if she's dyed her hair or became superficial? I couldn't imagine it, but it has been ten years, and so much has happened.

My thoughts are interrupted by someone banging on my door. " Viper, get up. I just spoke to Chase, and he is already over at the neighbours place. I told him we would be there soon." Blade shouts from the other side of the door, causing me to drag myself out of bed. Opening the door, I grab the coffee that Blade is holding out to me. " Thanks man, give me ten, and I'll be ready to go." I say before shutting the door again. I drink the coffee in a few big gulps before getting dressed in my jeans and a black tee shirt, pulling on my cut lastly. I glance down at the patches on my cut. The words 'president' and 'Viper' sit over my heart, reminding me every day of who I am and what I live for.

Walking into the main area of the clubhouse, I looked around at the mess from the night before. It was one of the boys' birthdays last night, and by the looks of it, things got pretty wild. A few guys and club girls are passed out on couches and bottles strewn across the place. Looking at Blade, I shake my head. " And your wonder why I choose to stay in my office." I say, Blade chuckling at my comment.

The ride over to Chases house only takes about fifteen minutes, but today, it feels like hours. I can feel the nerves bubbling inside of me, unsure of what I am going to say to her. Finally, we pull into Chases driveway and park our bikes. As we turn to face the house across the road, my mind is flooded with memories of all of the nights I waited while my girl sneaks out her bedroom window to see me.

Shoving the memories into the back of my mind, I put on my poker face, not wanting anyone to know the anxiety that is raging inside of me right now. I let Blade lead the way, seeing as it's his brother who we are seeing. Making our way up the steps to the front door, Blade knocks several times until we hear footsteps getting louder towards us.

Nothing could've prepared me for when that door opened. There stood the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen. Her auburn hair piled up messily on top of her head with tight black pants and top showing off all her curves. Her lightly tanned skin contrasting against her hazel eyes, eyes that were now staring at me in shock. Lacey looks terrified as she stares at me, not saying a word.

Suddenly, Chase appears behind her, and it takes everything in me to stop myself from punching him for standing too close to my woman. " Lacey, this my brother Blade and his best mate, Viper." Chase introduces us in his usual cheery way. Lacey snaps out of her shock, looking over at Blade with a nervous smile. " Hi, I'm Lacey, and I'm guessing those aren't your real names?" She jokes nervously.

" Road names, but it's what we go by. Anyway, It's nice to meet you, Lacey. My brother was telling me you had some new furniture to assemble and unpack." Blade says casually. Lacey seems to relax a little as she leads us into the house.

Entering the kitchen area, Lacey offers us a coffee, which we both accept gratefully. " So, what's first on to do list?" Chase asks as we all take our mugs. " Maybe we should get the dining table built so there is somewhere to sit and eat." Lacey says awkwardly as we stand around her kitchen island, sipping our coffee.

Blade and I offer to put the table together and set up the dining room. Chase says he will bring in the bar stools for the kitchen area and then put together the coffee table for the lounge. Lacey leads us out to the garage where all the furniture had been delivered the day before. Leaving us to it, she heads back inside, saying she needs to check on something.

An hour later, and we finally have the dining table put together, I'm not sure why she needs one this big, but I guess anything smaller would look strange in this room. " I'm just going to the garage to start bringing the dining chairs in." I say to Blade as he makes a start on the sideboard.

Making my way down the hall, I wonder where Lacey is. A chorus of giggles gets my attention as two girls come running down the stairs, followed by a woman who looks familiar. " Viper!" Ellie squeals, leaping up into my arms for a cuddle. " Hey, kiddo. Man, what is your dad feeding you!? I swear you were only up to my knee last time I saw you!" I joke, placing Ellie back on the ground as she giggles at me. " It wasn't THAT long ago, silly. ooh meet my new friends. This is Miss Tara. She's a kindergarten teacher." Ellie says, pointing to the woman who I now remember from the Christmas toy drive that we do every year. Her kindergarten had been some of the recipients of our donations. I smile as I shake Tara's hand. " Miss Tara." I greet, and she smiles, saying hello back to me.

" Viper! This is my new friend, Cassidy. She's so nice and we just made her room so pretty eith Miss Tara's help." I look down at the girl who is partly hiding behind Tara.

I crouch down, trying to look less intimidating to the girl. " Hey, Cassidy. That is a really pretty name." I say, coaxing her out from her hiding place. As Cassidy looks shyly at me, I find myself frozen. Her jet-black hair and emerald green eyes looking back at mine have me forgetting how to speak. Why does Laceys' daughter look like my clone? " How old are you?" I finally managed to ask, shakily. " Im nine, nearly ten." Cassidy answers quietly, and I feel my stomach sink. This can't be a coincidence.

Standing up, I charge back towards the kitchen, needing answers, NOW!

" Lacey! Lacey!" I shout looking for the woman that has kept me up at night for the past decade.