Chapter 5
Viper
I’m sitting at the bar having a beer to relax myself. I have Claire rubbing my neck. I have been stressed since Sabine walked out. Yes, I was shitty to her but something else is nagging at me. I can’t shake it. I feel like I’m missing something. When she saw me I could tell her shock was genuine. She wasn't looking for me as I accused. But there is something else. But I can’t figure it out. I have seen the Red Devils around town over the week but they haven’t come by so it isn’t club business that I know of. They usually stop in when they are in town but I haven't seen any of them other than in passing. So that is odd.
The front door opens and I see Bradford walk in. He is the chief of police and a good friend to the club. What is he doing here? He never just stops by. I straighten up “ Bradford.” He nods “ Viper. When this came to the station I thought I would bring it myself.” he says handing me a manila envelope. “ What is this?” I ask. “ I don’t know. But consider yourself served.” he says and leaves. What the fuck? I have never been served papers like that before.But before I can even look at the envelope Lug comes charging in.
He slams a piece of paper on the counter “ Do you know why our lease on the dispensary isn’t getting renewed and we are being evicted?” he asked. “ What?” Before he can answer Thor comes charging in. “ Viper, why the hell is the owner of the land we were buying suddenly backing out?” Huh. We are trying to expand the auto shop and Merigold’s detail shop and are in the process of buying the property behind the shop. We were supposed to close next week. Now Thor is telling me the deal fell through. But the news doesn't stop there. Before I can say a word a very pissed off Speed comes on ranting in spanish.
When she gets to me she asks “ Someone in this club fucked me out of a sponser and I want to know who?” How the hell did that happen? Still can’t say a word because Merigold and Anna come charging in like they are ready for a fight. “ What happened to you two?” I ask. “ I want to know who fucked me out of thousands of dollars and a big client.” Anna yelled. “ And I want to know why Axel and Rowdy are banned from the ice rink. They aren’t allowed in for the boys practice or games.” Merigold shouted. “ Someone here fucked up big time.” she said.
“ Ok we will do this one at a time. Merigold, what happened?” I asked. She explained to me that she was asked to not let Axel and Rowdy come around anymore. They didn’t want anything to do with the Renegades for personal reasons.But will let the boys continue to come because they are kids. “ Someone from our club pissed them off big time.” Merigold said. “ Maybe they just don’t like bikers.” I said. Some people are like that. “ Viper, the boys have been going there for six months. I wear my kutte to every practice or game. There hasn’t been a problem until this week. And if it was a biker problem why are the Red Devils all over the place?” Merigold says. Good point. “ Anna, you're next.”
She tells me she has lost a long term client and is out hundreds of thousands of dollars from her costumes she makes. She was given the same reason. She looked me dead in the eye and glared. “ Someone pissed off my client.” she said. I think back to my failed meeting last week and how Anna chased after Sabine. Speed story is the same: the sponsor dropped her because of someone at the club.
Thor tells me the seller backed out for the same reason. Same with Lug. Someone is ruining our name. And fucking with our business. “ I will get to the bottom of all of this and find out what is going on? I won’t stand for someone ruining our good name. I will try to fix all of this and deal with the person who fucked with us.” I said as I explained how Bradford just served me some papers. Suddenly there is laughter from the back of the room. I see Casper holding his sides. He is laughing so hard.
“ Casper, what are you doing here?” Merigold asks as she goes to hug him. “ Hey, princess. I came to tell Viper I’m dropping our alliance and kick someone’s ass. But this is even better. I was told it was handled but I never expected this. It’s awesome.” he says chuckling. We have been allies for ten years. Why would he drop it now? What the hell is going on around here? Who could have done this much damage? Merigold pulls back and asks “ You know who did this? You know what happened?” He smiles at her then looks at me like he wants me dead. What did I do to him?
“ I sure do princess. And so do you?” he says. Merigold looks as confused as I feel. “ Tell me so I can fix it.” Merigold says. Casper looks at her with concern. “ Merigold, get the papers Viper was given. It will explain everything. But I warn you. You aren’t going to like what you read.” Casper said. I look at the papers. That envelope holds all the answers. Merigold stomps over and grabs it before I can. She opens up the envelope and pulls out the document. As she reads it she starts to shake. Whatever those papers say it is making her pissed.