Page 102 of Viper

“The funds will be transferred after we receive all the weapons.” Zane motions to me. “Rune knows you will take careof Cora until then. Just as we are sure that the cutlery will be sent out tomorrow as agreed.” He points to a large hunting knife. “Include several of these.”

He leans forward, reaching for the hunting knife with jewels encrusted in the handle, but Viper moves faster, snatching it up, and grips Zane’s wrist. The knife slams down into the wooden table, digging in deep right next to Zane’s hand. A smirk plays across his face as he watches Zane’s expression fall.

A ruthless chuckle escapes Breaker. He leans toward Zane, eyes glimmering with something I’ve never seen before. Some dark, sinister thing that sends a strange tingle up my spine.

Seems I keep forgetting who and what they are.

“No touching the merchandise until the sale is final,” Breaker says. “Vince doesn’t like dirty hands defiling his possessions.”

Zane clears his throat, recovering, but Viper doesn’t release his wrist, that dangerous thing under his skin turning his expression sharp.

I think this is the first time I’ve ever pitied Zane.

Viper’s blue-green eyes stay locked on Zane’s face as he says to me, “Your father’s partner is disrespectful.” He cocks his head to the side, his grip tightening on the knife handle. “Since he’s so curious, should I demonstrate how sharp it is for him?”

Breaker lets out a ruthless chuckle.

I smile smugly, my belly fluttering at the level of rage pouring from Viper. “I’m not sure, Zane. Should we?”

Zane leans back in his seat, attempting to lift his injured hand. “Apologies.”

Seeing Zane apologize sends sparks of cruel joy through me.

Viper releases Zane and stands upright. He grabs the letter from the table, and slips it back in the envelope, thentucks it in the pocket of his suit jacket. “I accept her. If anyone disrespects what’s mine again, the deal is off.” He rolls the weapons up but leaves the hunting knife embedded in the table. He gestures to it. “In good faith.” He backs away, adjusting his cuffs and buttoning his suit jacket, calm and collected. Viper flings a hand in my direction. “I’ll take her now.”

My heart does a flip.

Clyde steps between me and Viper. “Where she goes, I go.”

“That’s going to make for an interesting night, old man.” Viper glances at Breaker. “Good thing I have an enormous bed. Seems it’s going to be crowded.”

Breaker stands and buttons his suit jacket, barely looking my way as he offers his hand. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 32

Cora

Eachbumpintheroad jars my shoulders against theirs. I count my breaths, trying to slow the hammering of my heart, but every inhale fills my lungs with Breaker’s woodsy scent. Viper’s clean, citrusy smell. Memories of them assault every sense as we drive further and further away from Rune’s club. Their hands, their hot breath, and kisses between my thighs.

The leather seat creaks in the silent car as I shift, searching for an inch of space, my body too aware of them both as their driver speeds down the interstate. It’s not just Viper and Breaker’s large bodies that take up so much space, it’s the oppressive air in the car, every single secret we’re keeping making the air thick with tension.

I’m beginning to understand why Rune is so paranoid all the time. All the lies and secrets eat at your brain after a while. Doubt stabs at your facade like sharp talons, and you worry you’re not fooling a single soul.

Like right now. I swear the driver knows everything. The way his eyes flicker to me every few seconds has me winding my fingers in my lap. So I keep my back ramrod straight, an angry mask covering up my fear. Anyone who looks at me would think I’m enraged at the fact I was just essentially whored out by my adopted father to a weapons dealer and his partners.

Liar that I am.

I couldn’t be happier.

We just need to get away with it.

The driver slows down after we leave the interstate, heading east, until we finally enter an older neighborhood. He stops in front of massive iron gates set in a tall stucco wall. I lean forward in my seat, taking in the scene as the car weaves along the driveway up to the Spanish-style mansion set back from the waterway. Little lights glow along the path, lighting up the lush greenery leading to the main door, giving the landscape an ethereal glow.

The second the car stops at the front of the estate, Breaker shoves the car door open and stalks up the walkway, up the steps, then vanishes through the massive wrought iron front doors, leaving them open.

Before the driver can get out, Viper swings the car door open, and steps out, offering me his hand.

I bat his hand away and place one heel on the pavement.