Page 104 of Viper

“You’re going to do exactly as I say, when I say it, pretty Vixen.” Somehow he moves even closer, so that every part of us touches, the heat of him seeping through our clothes, sinking under my skin, the slight citrusy scent of him invading all my senses.

“Do you understand?” He licks his lips, and I track the movement, my breath growing heavier. His eyes search mine, and I catch everything he’s not saying.

I’m right.

Viper is Vince from here on out. Breaker is Ben, and I’m the woman he just accepted as payment in some twisted business deal.

I clear my throat, then nod.

“Good,” he whispers, the word washing over me. “Because the second I get you to my room, you’re going to spread those gorgeous thighs and let me eat that little pussy until you forget your name.”

I shutter out a breath but keep my mouth closed, my veins glowing red hot from the heat lining each word. He drops hishand and backs away, then gestures for me to follow him, so I do, watching staff scurry past as he leads me toward the large double doors at the end of the hall. With a hard shove, they swing open and a massive room with an enormous bed in the center comes into view.

Everything is ornate and heavy dark wood. The glossy wood floors, the four-poster bed draped with white, gauzy material. Large palms sit in bright blue pots in the corners, framing massive windows overlooking the ocean.

“I like the whole Columbian drug lord vibe, Mr. Campbell,” I say. “It’s fitting.”

“Your sassy mouth might earn you a spanking,” Viper says, shooting me another warning look. He snaps his fingers, and a girl wearing the same black uniform as everyone else rushes into the room.

“Thank you,” he says to her. “I want privacy tonight.”

“Si,” she says, practically giving him a curtsy as she scurries away and closes the doors behind her.

“Do you beat the staff?” I ask because I can’t seem to help myself. “Everyone here is terrified of you.”

“It’s not fear, Vixen. It’s respect. And it’s earned by treating others with the same level I demand.” Viper points to a silky-covered chaise lounge by the massive windows overlooking the ocean. “Sit. Do not move until I give you permission.”

There is no room for argument in his tone, his eyes telling me to shut my mouth and do as he says. So I do. I lower myself onto the seat and cross my ankles, tracking Viper’s every move as he crosses the room and digs a small device from the bottom drawer of a long wooden dresser. When he swipes the surface, then moves along the wall, the floorboards, and picture frames, the gravity of the situation hits home. He’s checking for bugs.

Rune always had our offices, our homes, and cars swept every week out of fear of who was listening in. He was always soparanoid, and now I know why. He deals in weapons, and for all I know, drugs too.

When Viper’s done in the room, he moves to the bathroom, and comes out a minute later, then sweeps the large walk-in closet.

“It’s clear,” he says, visibly relaxing but tensing again when the bedroom doors explode open.

Breaker stalks through, his pale eyes locked on Viper as he shuts first one door, then the other, and stands before them, his back pressed to the ornate wood.

“Most of the staff has left, but a few are still cleaning. The surrounding rooms and hallway are clear, but I haven’t swept downstairs.” Breaker glances my way, then turns back to Viper. “But I would like to know why you don’t look surprised that Rune essentially sold our girl to Vincent Campbell?”

“Reaper knew Rune would hand her over,” Viper says. “Fucking asshole could have told us.”

“He couldn’t,” I snap, hackles rising as I bolt up from the chaise. “This had to be Rune’s idea. If you had hinted at wanting me in any capacity, Rune would have been suspicious. He’s paranoid enough as it is. He had to see the benefit of using me to get close to you on his own.”

“Why do I have a feeling you two know something I don’t?” Breaker says, eyes moving between Viper and me.

“Because we do,” Viper says, confirming my suspicions that Reaper manipulated this entire situation. He points to me. “But this? This is a fucking problem.”

I scoff, placing my hands on my hips.

“Why?” Breaker asks. “She’s safe with us. Away from Rune. He can’t touch her. We can keep her in the house, and—”

“Do not talk about me as if I’m not here!” My scream crashes through the room. Both men freeze and stop arguing. I point at each of them. “How dare you treat me as if I’m aproblem when you placed me right in the devil’s path for him to use!”

“That’s not what I mean,” Viper starts, but I cut him off.

“You kidnapped me, held me captive, and fucked with my head for weeks.” I let out a strangled sound that sounds a little too close to anguish. “You claimed me as yours. And now you’re telling me I’m a hindrance to your plans?”

“Little Red,” Breaker says, moving my way, but I hold up a hand to keep him at bay. It’s too easy to be distracted by him. He’s warm and safe, and god I want nothing more than to sink into him. Let him hold me, hide me, keep me.