Viper's Run(61)

“What happened?” Winter asked Rider who was getting water out of the refrigerator.

“Nothing, we had a little altercation that has now been settled.” He propped his hip against the counter as everyone else grabbed a drink.

“Where are the members from Ohio?” Winter questioned.

“On their way back to Ohio,” Rider answered.

“What in the hell is that smell?” Train asked.

“I’m cooking dinner, I gave Beth the night off.” Winter gave Rider a quick grin, watching the potatoes boil. “You can have the night off too. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Even Rider was starting to look a little green. “What did you kill?” Neither man was obviously worried about hurting her feelings.

“Meatloaf.”

“That doesn’t smell like any meatloaf I have ever ate.” Rider was making gagging sounds.

“Oh, that’s not the meatloaf. I made sauerkraut to go with the hotdogs. I wanted everyone to have a choice of entre.”

The men stood staring at her silently. The women hearing the men come in downstairs, emerged from their rooms to eat dinner and reeled back from the odor.

“Whoa!” Dawn exclaimed. Bliss turned to look at Evie.

“I thought tonight was Beth’s turn. She always makes her spaghetti,” she said plaintively.

“I thought she looked tired so I volunteered.” Winter broke in, pasting a hurt expression on her face.

Giving everyone a glare, Evie put her arm around Winter’s shoulders. “It smells delicious, doesn’t it guys?”

Silence greeted her statement.

“It smells like vomit.” Knox said from the doorway.

“No, it doesn’t Winter.” Evie again tried to soothe Winter’s feelings while flipping off Knox behind her back.

“Let’s get it all together girls, I’m sure the men are starved after being out all day. You guys get cleaned up, dinner should be ready in an hour?” Evie looked questionably at Winter.

“I am sure it will be done by then,” Winter agreed.

“Start without me,” Rider suggested before going out the doorway.

Winter looked around and didn’t see Viper. “Where’s Viper?” She asked a departing Train.

He hesitated briefly before answering. “Razer, Shade, Cash, and Viper had to finish up a few minor details. They will probably be back after dinner.” Winter’s lips tightened when she could have sworn she heard him call them lucky bastards as he went out the door. The other men cleared out of the kitchen, leaving only the women behind.

“All right, let’s get dinner done.” Evie motivated the women and within the hour dinner was finished. She had tactfully put the bubbling sauerkraut into a bowl with a lid, explaining if anyone wanted it for a topping it was readily accessible. Jewell lit a candle and within minutes the sickening smell was evaporating. The steaming meatloaf was pulled out of the oven and cut into slices by Winter before quickly mashing the potatoes. She was just putting a dollop of butter on top when the members returned freshly showered.

Hesitantly, everyone grabbed a plate and began serving themselves. Winter sat at the table and began eating her dinner. At first the sounds of silence didn’t penetrate her thoughts as she was beginning to worry about Viper. She also noticed Beth was constantly looking towards the doorway for Razer to appear.

“This is one of the best freaking things I have ever ate,” Jewell said as she took another bite of the meatloaf. The others murmurs of approval made Winter flush in embarrassment. Even Rider’s grouchy expression had changed to one of pleasure. The rest of dinner passed without the rest of the men’s appearance. Bliss and Rider did clean up, Winter barely managed to stop him before he threw the sauerkraut away.

“I plan on having that for lunch tomorrow. I’ll put it in the refrigerator.” Winter placed the container in the back of the refrigerator.

“Suit yourself,” he said, turning around to finish the dishes. Winter went upstairs to work on Viper’s paperwork. As the evening wore on, her anxiety began to rise and it was just beginning to get dark when the bedroom door opened and Viper walked in the bedroom.

He had obviously participated in the fight, with bruised knuckles and a bruise on his cheekbone, but he didn’t look too busted up. Relief flooded through her system as he began to get undressed.

She turned in her chair to face him with her arms folded across her chest.

“What is that stern look for?” Viper grinned at her bare-chested.

“Have you been fighting?” Winter winced at her tone of voice. Well at least she hadn’t lost her principle voice.

“Yes, ma’am. What ya gonna do about it? Put me in detention?” He mocked her.