As we all know, I had never really experienced family- and the concept of family was different to everyone. At first, my own 'family' had consisted of two money givers who shipped me off to another country to do whatever. Then it had turned into my one best friend Bianca. Right now it was my eclectic mix of bikers and people that I just enjoyed being around.

But Viper was a different sort of family for my dad. They had grown up together, actually formed a club with each other, then split their different ways after Jezebel pulled a fast one on Hugh. Dad needed time away, and new faces to not remind him of my mother, and Viper needed a solid foundation to start his own club.

But Viper was always there for my dad, even getting shot for him- and the stories they had to tell of saving each other were amazing, dangerous and slightly worrying. When Viper left, dad carried on telling me stories until he was shut up by the on duty nurse.

It was good, knowing my dad was cared for.

***

I walked back in the doors of our house and found all the men asleep in the lounge. Apparently they didn't feel comfortable sleeping in the many rooms we had to offer. I shook my head and stepped over one, lightly running to my room to grab some clothes and have a shower.

After my shower, I pulled on some jean shorts, one of Ripper's non-black sweaters (which was a surprise in itself, the man had no colours at all in his wardrobe) and a pair of gladiators that came to mid calf.

Only half the men were up, and I went to make some coffee for Viper and Hammer who were sitting on the table. He had already lit up a smoke when I sat down at the table, handing them their coffees.

"So what are you guys up to today?"

Hammer's eyes were on my exposed legs, following every line of tattoos on them. I folded my legs under the table and turned my body toward Viper. "Probably gonna make our rounds in town to show the people and any snitches, that we are here. That'll ward off any smaller clubs seeking to come into power"

I nodded and sipped my coffee. "You heard anything from the front where Ripper went?" I tried to make my voice light, but there was an edge to it.

"Not much, only that people know Ripper is there. He'll be alright doll, and he'll protect your little one"

I raised a brow, "my little one?"

Viper nodded to a photo on the wall- one of many I had put up of the family. "The white haired pretty boy. He's yours ain't he?"

I smiled, remembering the large bear he had tattooed on his back. "Yeah. I'm his mama bear"

I looked at the time and cursed, jumping up to start breakfast and get ready for work. It was a quick fry up- the usual scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns. Thank God for Hash browns. And hash brownies.

I served it all up on the table and greeted the men that had woken up, thanking one young member who had helped me. His name was Ringer, and I didn't know how to think about that.

"Where are you off to?" Viper asked, halfway through his piled plate.

"I've got work since Slater is out of town. Gotta go an check the bar, then open the tattoo parlour"

"You work at a tattoo parlour?" Ringer asked, surprise bright. I nodded. He leaned back and mumbled "That's so cool" Well, ego fed.

Hammer stood up, bright eyes clear on me. "I'll take you. I need to go to the Bike shop"

Oh fuck. "It's fine, just eat breakfast. I like walking" I did have my own car, it was just in the shop right now. Why did God do this to me?

Hammer brushed by me and out the door, seeming to not hear my reply. I looked to Viper with an expression that could only be described as 'really.' I sighed and walked outside, stopping in my tracks when I saw Hammer on his bike with a helmet on his lap.

"Oh no. I am not riding that with you"

Hammer gave me a pearly white smirk. "Would you rather ride something else?"

This man. "Nope. I am walking to work. I only ride Ripper's bike" And something else too. Hammer's face shut down so fast I swore I heard a gate closing in the distance. He jumped off his bike and stormed over to me, seeming to get bigger with every step he took.

Before he got to me, my phone rang and I praised God for the good timing. I picked it up and turned away from Hammer, walking back to the steps.

"Corin Kane here"

"Hey there sugar" Ripper's said, voice a relief on my ears and an accelerator to my heart.

"It's been two fucking weeks Ripper. Two weeks and you didn't call me"

I heard someone laugh in the background, sounding oddly like Seamus. Ripper shut him up and came back to the phone. "I know, I had an...injury and didn't want you to hear me in pain"

He was hurt? "What happened?"

Ripper sighed and carried on. "The other club has been dealt with. I got cut by a knife pretty deeply, but Doc took care of it."

I mentally sighed in relief, running a hand through my hair. "I miss you so much" My voice hitched a bit and I tried to stop the tears from welling up.

"I miss you too sugar. More than you could imagine. But we'll be home soon, and I'll show you just how much I missed you"

Oh. Okay. Yeah, mama could look forward to that. I looked to Hammer, startled when I remembered he was outside with me. "Oh and, Viper and his men are here until you get back"

A beat of silence. "Hammer?"

"Yeah. Kind of next to me too"

Ripper snarled, and I heard a crunching sound as if he had punched a wall. Seamus' voice rung oout in the back, "He punched a wall!"

Knew it. "I'll be back quickly sugar. I've gotta go now, the men want to have a meeting"

I frowned but replied. "Okay babe, I love you"

"I love you too Corin" He hung up and I smiled dreamily, a new sense of energy running through me at the thought of my man coming home. Him not calling me for two weeks was so still not off the agenda yet, and he would need to grovel. A bit less, since he had a reason.

"How's lover boy?" The amount of distaste in those three words surprised me. I shrugged and made my way past Hammer, already late to work. A hand shot out and gripped me by the shoulder, but I twisted my arm over his wrenched my arm up so I nearly broke his elbow, and pushed him away with both palms.

It took quite a lot of energy since the man was so fucking big, but he stood away from me with raised eyebrows.

"Don't touch me unless I give permission to and leave me to walk to work" I quickly stalked past him and broke into a jog, partly because I wanted to get away from him and partly because I was more than a little late.

******

"Thanks Corin!" Mila called as she walked out the door. She was a bubbly girl who had bright pink hair and a mass of Japanese style tattoos all over her chest. Even on her breasts. It was a long day today- the pub's stock of Spirits was running low, and the supplier was out of town so I had to go a town over and buy from a really seedy looking guy.

Plus, the amount of customers that poured into the tattoo parlour was just stupendous. We usually had a few per day, not more than ten. The bell rang again on the door and in walked the one man I didn't want to see.

Hammer looked around the parlour, taking in the dark decor and clean furniture. He stood in the middle of the room, big, brawny and looking like an ebony stallion with his light green eyes and pitch black hair.

"How long have you been doing tattoos?" His voice was deep and melodic, a contrast to Ripper's gravel like tones. I cocked my head to the side and thought.

"Around....five, six years"

Hammer nodded then sat down in the leather seat in front of me, pulling off his jacket. "I want a cobra around this arm, circling right up to my neck. Make it thick and dark, with it's mouth open and spitting"

I sighed and knew I wouldn't be able to get out of this one. Work was work. "Do you want me to sketch something up?"

He threw his jacket to the side and peeled off his white shirt, revealing scarred, bare muscle. He only had one tattoo, the symbol of his club smack bang in the middle of his abdomen. It was an interesting symbol, three snakes intertwining in a trident form, with a cobra as the center spike.

"Nah. Just put it straight on"

"Colour?"

Hammer's hard gaze was on me, and he took a few moments before replying. "Black. Just black"

I drew it on with pen first, taking care to not touch him longer than necessary.

"Ripper's got a lot of secrets" Hammer murmured when I started the outline with the tattoo needle. I mentally sighed and carried on with out replying, focusing on the slopes of the cobra.

"They're going to hurt you if you're not careful"

I stopped and gave him a look, pausing the needle. "Can we just sit in silence? Our relationship is our business"

Hammer only listened for a beat. "Not when he's one of the most wanted men in MC history. Your man has secrets that involve me. And I'm guessing he hasn't told you yet"

I stayed quiet.

Hammer shook his head, gritting his teeth. "We've both done things that...aren't good. But your Ripper didn't get his name without a reason. You think you know how bloodthirsty he is, but you don't. That animal isn't satisfied without staining his hands, and he certainly won't be satisfied by one woman." Hammer scoffed, nostalgic. "He'll drain you if you aren't careful, drain you of your love, innocence and happiness if you don't confront him now. Your man is the farthest you could get from perfect and you need to see him for everything he is"

I swallowed and kept my eyes on his reddening skin. "Why does it matter so much?"

Hammer exhaled slowly. "Because a girl like you, deserves much more than him."

"And I suppose that would be you?"

Hammer scoffed again, brushing it off. "I'm not a one woman man doll. You deserve someone much more than any club can give you, and that ain't fuckin' me either"

He ran his eyes down my body, then moved them back to my eyes. "But i'll be damned in letting that stop me from trying." He gave me a full smile, suggestion clear. "A woman like you is a fuck in a century"

What a romantic.

_____________