Page 12 of Viper

I set the remote down and stalk across the room, easing the door open. Steam sticks to my skin the second I walk in, the warm air coating my lungs as I inhale. The row of showers to the right is empty, even though the first showerhead blasts water onto the white tile floor.

Unease curls around my throat, making it hard to swallow. Glancing around, I stalk to the toilets, pushing open each stall door, the metal doors clanging loudly, until I’ve checked them all. Fear weaves up my spine as I turn, scanning the space, not seeing her anywhere.

It’s not like she can hide in a bathroom.

“Harlow,” I choke out, my voice cracking.

He bursts through the door, eyes widening as his gaze sweeps the empty stalls, the abandoned shower. His shoulders drop. “Goddammit, she didn’t,” he growls. “I’m going to strangle her.”

I close the distance between us, gripping his collar, my voice coming out hard and rough. “Where the fuck did she go, Harlow?”

He shoves me away. “You know where she is.”

My heartbeat hammers so hard, I press my palm to my chest like this will slow it down. The room blurs at the edges, my head swirling with panic and terrible building rage.

This isn’t the first time she’s dealt with Rune. Men like him, like Fallon, have patterns. I know this. Hell, we all do.

They lash out and then regain your loyalty with praises and a few kind words. Days, sometimes even weeks, of peace and affection, and right when you almost believe they might have truly changed, might truly mean what they say, that old evil sparks to life and they prove they are just the same monster.

And that’s how she’s survived him all these years.

She placated the monster.

And that’s exactly where she went.

Back to Rune.

Chapter 5

Cora

MyhandshakesasI take the thick stone stairs toward the front door. I glance over my shoulder at Rune’s driver as he pulls the SUV around the back of the house. The entire drive here, Conner kept glancing at me in the rearview, no doubt wondering if Rune did this to me.

I wonder whether it bothers him. Seeing me so many times over the years with bruises or a fucked-up face. I doubt it. He’s never said a damn thing as he’s driven me home from a visit with Rune, my face still streaked with tears because Rune got a little too rough with me yet again. Conner probably thinks it comes with the territory. Men like Rune do what they want. It’s their world, and I’m trapped in it.

Little does he know I stay for Delly. For Clyde. And now for the men.

They need me.

Which is why I’ve taken great pains to ensure no one saw me return to my condo. The taxi dropped me off at the park, and I walked the two blocks, then took the side entrance so thedoorman wouldn’t spot me, then rode the service elevator up to my floor. I stayed long enough to shower and change, then called for Rune’s driver, making sure I was in my condo when I powered on my phone in case whatever tracking method Rune uses can pinpoint my exact location.

After what he did, his paranoia must be through the roof, which means I need to tread carefully. Rune knows I’ll return to him. The first time Rune hit me, the second Clyde saw my face, he screamed and raged, threatening to rain hell on whoever touched me. I lied and said I was mugged outside a club I snuck into. The number of times I’ve covered for Rune sickens me. But I’ll do it again, because this time, I’m not protecting Rune’s dirty secret. I’m protecting Clyde’s.

Which is why I’m here, walking up the driveway, my heart in my throat, pressing the code into the keypad on the door. Opening it and stepping into the large foyer.

Calling his name.

“Papa?” My voice echoes around the large space. Right when I turn to shut the door, he appears. My insides rattle almost as violently as his touch.

Rune steps from his office and moves toward me, his brows pinched like he’s shocked—concerned even—about what he sees. Like he’s not the one who bashed my head into my floor and forced himself on me. Like he isn’t the reason I’m battered and bruised and trembling, standing in the home of the only place I could go in order to keep everyone around me safe.

“Cora,” he breathes, cupping my face. “My sweet girl.”

He looks so sad, and there’s a part of me that wants to laugh because how dare he look so fucking wounded.

He tucks me to his chest, and I have to clench my jaw to keep from screaming. He’s still wearing the same clothes. The same tie, same pants. I bet my scent clings to him. I bet my anguish and his cum still cover his dick.

“God.” Rune pulls away, eyes moving from my cheek to the bruise on my forehead. The sadness that was there vanishes, his mask slipping off since no one is here to witness. “You’re a mess.”