Viper's Run Read Online Free PDF

use some help.  Carmen would you mind?”  
    “She isn’t going anywhere.  We’re leaving.”  Jerking Carmen to his side, he shoved Winter out of his way. Almost losing her balance, she felt an arm go around her waist, holding her steady until she was able to regain her balance.  Jake and the women found themselves surrounded by the Last Riders.  
    Stiffening, Winter didn’t need to turn around to see who was behind her.  
    “That was a mistake,” Viper said at her back. Winter quickly moved away from him, finding a place to stand to the side of the group.  
    “You need to let the girl go and take a walk with me.” The cold voice of tattoo guy drew everyone’s eyes as he stood directly in front of Lily, blocking her from view.  
    “What’s going on?” Pastor Dean hurried toward the group with Beth at his side.  She immediately went to her sister, while thankfully Dan and Jenny came to retrieve their baby from Lily. They had drawn a crowd around the couple, preventing Jake from leaving with a frightened Carmen.  
    Winter moved forward, taking Carmen’s hand in hers, tugging her away from Jake.  For a second he looked like he was going to explode, but even as furious as he was, Jake knew he was outnumbered. Gratefully, Carmen let herself be led away from her boyfriend.  Winter left the Last Riders to handle Jake.  
    “Can I get you a drink?” She asked Carmen.  
    “Yes, please.” Winter went to the cooler and took a soda, placing it before Carmen as she sat down next to her.  
    “Are you alright?”  
    “Yes, it’s not the first time Jake has lost his temper with me. He will cool down and apologize,” Carmen excused her boyfriend’s behavior.  
    “Of course he will honey, but Carmen he shouldn’t be laying his hands on you when he’s angry.”  
    “He doesn’t mean anything,” Carmen argued.  
    “Carmen, he could hurt you. Does he lose his temper often?”  The girl instantly became guarded. Winter took that as a definite yes.  
    “He was just mad because he caught me staring at those bikers, he was jealous.”  
    “It doesn’t matter what the reason was, he doesn’t have the right to hurt you.”  
    “Look Ms. Simmons, Jake was just angry at me for doing something I shouldn’t be doing. I made a mistake. Where is he?”  
    Winter saw her trying to find him in the crowd, but she wanted to get Carmen out of there before he returned. She didn’t have as much faith as Carmen that his temper had calmed down.  
    “Why don’t I take you home and he can call you later?”  The girl did not want to leave, but Winter ushered Carmen to her car despite her protests of leaving Jake behind.  She only lived a block away from her, so she was able to reach the small house without asking for directions.  
    Following her to the door of her house, she could tell Carmen just wanted her to leave. “Are your parents home?” Winter asked.  
    The girl thought about lying. All the years of experience of dealing with teenagers enabled Winter to push the doorbell with confidence that her parents were home.  
    “I was going to go in,” Carmen lied.  
    Before Winter could answer, Carmen’s mother answered the door.  
    “Carmen? Ms. Simmons?”  The woman was obviously surprised to find her daughter’s principal on her front porch.  
    “Mrs. Jones, can I come in and speak to you and your husband for a few minutes?”  Winter requested politely.  
    The door opened wider, allowing her entrance with a sullen Carmen following reluctantly behind.  
    Winter tactfully explained what had happened at the church picnic once both parents were present.  Carmen’s parents were understandably upset when Winter explained what had occurred between the young couple. Winter left soon afterwards, feeling it best if she left the family to deal with Carmen privately, praying they would be more successful in convincing the girl that Jake had a serious problem.    
    Winter could only hope that