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Chapter 7

Viper

Ace called church for the next day so he could find out all the facts, hear everyone’s stories including Casper’s and look over all the paperwork. Usually I am the only one that can call a meeting but in this case Ace has seniority over me as a founding member. All the patched members head into the room. I’m the last to go in. I don’t even get to sit at the head of the table like I normally do. Ace is running the meeting. I am sitting next to him with Thor across from me. I look around the table at my brothers. Men I could count on to have my back. Several I have known for over ten years. But looking at them now I see disappointment, disgust and distrust. Right now I know I couldn’t count on any of them. I let them all down.

Ace calls the meeting to order. “ You all know why we are here. I have looked at the paperwork and talked to those that were present at the time. As you all know this club takes marriage and ol’e ladies seriously. We hold them above everyone else. We don’t tolerate abuse of any kind or cheating.And we definitely don’t tolerate abandonment. And I have been proud to say none of that has ever happened. Until now.Before we go further I want to give Viper a chance to tell his side.”

I look around at my brothers and explain what I remember. I explain how I met Sabine in a bar and how when I woke up I had a massive hangover and very little memory. I mentioned I saw the ring but didn’t think anything of it and removed it. “ I swear brothers, I didn’t know I got married.” I said. I was being honest with them. I really didn’t know. “ I have to say I’m really disappointed in you, Viper.” Ace said, shaking his head. “ Do any of you have any questions?” Ace asked. “ If Sabine knew she was married, why didn’t she try to contact Viper before the other day?” Good question. Why didn’t my wife try to find me?

“ I was wondering the same thing. So I went to the ice rink to try and talk to the young lady in question. I wanted to meet her myself and get her side.” Ace said. “ What did she say?” Thor asked. “ I didn’t get to talk to her. I had to convince Casper to let me in the door. I had to assure him I wasn’t looking to cause her any trouble. I was able to talk to Nixon. He told me that she had tried to call and sent multiple texts for the first month. Before she gave up.” Ace said. “ And you believed him?” I asked. “ I did after she showed me proof.” Ace said. “ What proof?” Axel asked. I would like to know myself. I never got a text or a call from anyone claiming to be my wife.

“ He gave me her phone. Sabine told him to give me full access to the texts, calls, photos and videos. She said she had nothing to hide. Since she said I could, I did look through her phone. Viper, your contact had your picture on it so I know it wasn’t fake. Each text and call had time and date codes.” Ace said. “ I swear I never got a call or text.” I said. “ And I believe you. Each text said undelivered. So I checked the number. I was told you were the one who put your number in her phone. You must have been drunk at the time because the last digit was wrong. She didn’t have the right number. “ Ok that explains that.

“ Why didn’t she come to the clubhouse then?” Tank asked. Yea, she could have tracked me down that way if she really wanted to find me. Ace laughs “ Another thing I wondered. She knew you were in an MC but not your road name or your position. According to what I was told you never told her the club name. You wanted it to be a surprise when you both came home.” Ace turns to me “ Viper, I did look at some pictures after some encouragement from Nixon. I saw the wedding video and several pictures of the two of you together. So between the license and the video I believe she is telling the truth.I wasn’t sure if you would so I got a copy of the texts, a few photos and the video if you want to see it.” He slides a folder over to me.

“ Maybe in a few. I trust you. Where do we go from here?” I asked. “ I talked to Nixon and Casper.They just want this over with so she can move on with her life. Nixon agreed that if you sign the papers by next week he will forgo the eviction on the dispensary. “ Ace said. “ Wait, I’m confused. Where does Casper fit into this?” Rowdy asked. “ For one the Red Devils want to absolve our alliance because of this. Sabine is like our Merigold to the club. She has grown up with most of them. Casper and Nixon have been best friends since middle school. And just like if something like this happened to any of the ol’e ladies they are pissed.” Ace said.

They have every right to be after what I did. Ace continues to talk but I feel the need to look in the folder. “ There is also the reputation of the club. It is in the shitter right now. We are losing business the longer the dispensary is up in the air. There is also a rift in the club.” I stop focusing on Ace as I open the folder. The first four pages are the texts. I bypass them and see some of the pictures. The first one I see is Sabine and me. It looks like it was taken at a diner. We are sitting side by side in a booth. I have my arm around her shoulder and her head is on mine. She is looking up at me smiling as I’m looking down at her. I’m smiling too.

The next one is of Sabine curled up on my bare chest. It looks like she is sleeping. So I must have taken that one. She looks so beautiful. The next one is of us dancing. There are three more pictures of us together. One looks like we are laughing. The folder has a flash drive I’m guessing has our wedding video. I’ll watch it later. I go back to the picture of her on my chest. That isn’t something I would let a one night stand do. I would only let my ol’e lady do something like that. Or in this case my wife. And I took the picture. So it was something I wanted to remember.

“ So, Viper, you sign the papers and we can save the dispensary. But we also need to do some kind of punishment. We can’t let this slide. Even for you.” Ace said. He is right. I’m not above the rules. If we let it slide it would set a bad example for the prospects and the kids. They look up to us. I wouldn’t stand by if one of my nephews did this. “ I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit.” I said. Ace nods “ We will discuss it and let you know by the end of the day.” That’s fair. Ace slides the divorce papers and a pen to me.

“ All you need to do now is sign. No sense and putting it off.” Ace said. And he would be right. I walked away. I should sign and let Sabine move on to someone more deserving. Just the thought of her with another man pisses me off even though I have no right. It also hurts my chest. I look back at the picture then the papers. “ What if I don’t sign?” I ask. All my brothers shout “ What?” at the same time. “ Viper, man, haven't you done enough to the poor girl? Sign and let her move on.” Lug Nut said.

“ And think about the dispensary. You sign and we don’t have to try to move. That building is in a prime location. The rent is great. And we have been there for six years. It would be a pain in the ass to try to move.” Goof said. “ I did Sabine wrong. I’m not going to deny that. I know we have to save the dispensary. But hear me out.” I said. I looked around. I almost wanted to beg them to listen to me. “ I know most of you don’t have much faith in me right now. I don’t blame you. I fucked up. I let this club down. And myself. I never thought I would do something like this.” I said. I see they are listening so I continue.

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