“Really?” Viper frowned, tossing his towel into the hamper before coming to sit next to her on the bed.

“Yes. She plans to learn all of Willa’s recipes to start her own business. She seems to think Curt’s new job is going to give him enough money to do it. Who in Treepoint would hire that asshole?”

“Shade did.”

“What?” Winter’s mouth dropped open. She started to jump off the bed to go find Shade. “He can just un-hire him.”

Viper grabbed her thigh, pressing her back down on the bed. “Jo went to the sheriff’s office to see if there was any way to press charges on Curt for raping her in high school. Diamond came in, and the three talked. It would be an uphill battle to convict Curt. Neither Jo nor her parents notified the police when it happened. And because it happened years ago, he would probably get away with it if it was brought to court.” Viper shrugged. “Shade came up with the idea to hire Curt. There are men who work at the factory who’ll keep an ear out. If he brags to one of our men, it will help Jo’s case.”

Winter still couldn’t relax. She didn’t trust Curt Dawkins as far she could throw him. “How much is he paying him? He’s promising Megan a lot. Shade didn’t make him a manager, did he?”

“That’s the interesting part. No, he’s an hourly worker. We pay well, but not enough to set up a new business and buy a new car in six months.”

“Maybe his family is planning on giving him the money when he starts a new job?”

“Either that or he’s planning to take something that doesn’t belong to him. We know Curt doesn’t have a problem taking what’s not his. Shade and Jewell will keep an eye on him; don’t worry.”

“All right. Will you tell Shade to listen for whether Curt starts bragging about sleeping with Megan before she was eighteen?”

“Yes, but consent is sixteen in Kentucky.”

“Curt was a school employee when he was the football coach, and Megan was fifteen when she was a cheerleader.”

“If Willa hires her, then Megan might become comfortable enough to let a few of Curt’s indiscretions slip out.”

“I married a very devious man.”

“That’s how I caught you.” Viper kissed her then pulled back when she punched his shoulder.

“Jerk.”

“I try.” He smiled, pulling out the bag he had been sitting on. “I see you had a successful shopping trip.” He pulled out the handful of sleepers and the pink blanket. “I thought you were buying for Fat Louise and Cade’s baby. Who are the pink things for? Who’s pregnant now?” His amused smile slipped when Winter couldn’t hide her expression. “Pretty girl, don’t tell me you bought this for us.”

Winter couldn’t meet his censoring gaze. “Viper…”

“Why do you torment yourself like this?” He scooted closer to her, placing his hand on the back of her neck to lift her eyes to meet his.

“Viper, we can have a baby if you would just listen to reason.”

“Not if one of those reasons involves a chance of me losing you.” She could see fear in his direct gaze.

“The attack was four years ago. My body has healed. I’m in better shape now than even before the beating. My doctor said he believed we could have a successful pregnancy. There are high-risk obstetricians who specialize in difficult births. Just one, Viper. Just one child. That’s all I’m asking.” Winter broke down in tears, pleading with her husband.

He pulled her close, burying his face in her neck. “Pretty girl, please don’t cry. We can’t take the chance. It’s not only you the doctor said would be in danger, but the baby, too. I couldn’t bear losing either of you. I told you I would look into us finding a surrogate. If not in Kentucky, then we could move to Ohio. Fuck, I’d move anywhere to make you happy.”

Winter broke away from him, getting to her feet to stare down at him. “You’d move anywhere for me, but you won’t take a chance on a baby?” She hugged her belly. “I want my own child, Viper. When we tried to adopt, and were turned down, I was upset, but I could live with their judgmental attitudes, because I knew how hard it was for me to keep my job. The only school the school board would let me work in, is the one no one else wanted. I want a child. Even if we do find a surrogate, there would be risks involved. We haven’t even started to look into it yet, because we both know we’ll be putting the fate of our child in someone else’s hands.

Viper tried to pull her down on his lap, but she took a step backward.

“I’d climb a mountain for you. I would starve. I would do anything for you, Viper. Please… please can’t we—”

“Winter…”

“I live in The Last Riders’ clubhouse, even though there is another lot to build us a home behind where Lucky and Willa are building. I never asked for my own home, because I know what the club means to you.” She shook her head. “You’re so afraid of losing someone after you lost Gavin that you won’t even let us try.” She turned her back to him. She could see the refusal on his face.

She brushed her tears away. “I need to take a shower.”

“We need to finish this discussion first.” He got up, pulling on a clean pair of jeans.

“Why? You’re not going to change your mind, and I’m tired of listening to your excuses.”

Viper moved to where she was forced to see him. He opened his mouth to say something, but then his cell phone rang before he could.

“Answer your phone. We’ll talk later.” She brushed past him, going into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her.

Winter took off her clothes, throwing them in the hamper before turning on the shower. She began washing herself, letting the water carry her tears away.

She had always wanted children, always. The darkest day of her life had been when the doctor had come into her hospital room and told her the damage done to her body by the deranged deputy. That had been four years ago, and since then, she had healed and been to several doctors, hoping they could have a successful pregnancy.

Viper wouldn’t be swayed, though. When he made up his mind about something, there was no changing it. The Last Riders depended on that confidence; Winter just wished she could change his mind this one time.

Every day that passed, she felt her hope slip further away. When they had first married, she’d had a picture of their child in her mind. Day by day, the picture became dimmer. She was afraid she would one day wake up and it would be gone; her dream would have died.

3

“Don’t you want to play?” Rider asked, as he looked up from the cards he was holding. The kitchen was empty except for Crash and Rider.

“Not tonight. It’s been a long day.”

Winter was exhausted. She had come in the back door of the kitchen and only stopped long enough to answer Rider’s question. She was cranky, having missed dinner because of two parent conferences. Now she just wanted to go to bed.

“Maybe tomorrow night,” she told him.

She opened the kitchen door, finding the main room filled with members. Viper was sitting on a chair, and Moon was sitting in the one next to him as she entered.