Page 136 of Viper

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Keeping my eyes on Clyde, I reach for my water glass and take a sip. My head spins, unsure how to react. I’d be lying if I said this was the least preferable option. Vincent Campbell checks all the boxes for a woman in my position. The problem is, Vincent isn’t real, and now that I have refused to marry Zane, I can’t accept this without a fight.

And Rune knows it. Is that why he threatened me? When he told me I was to make up for Zane’s refusal to marry me bydoing everything he asked? Because he knows I’d fight this just as hard as I did Zane.

If I don’t, he’ll be so paranoid that the men’s entire plan could derail.

Clyde has risked his life to help avenge their brother’s death. The men have worked for years to infiltrate Rune’s inner circle. I’m just a pawn, and my part to play right now is indignant, mouthy, and disobedient.

Because that’s exactly how I’d react.

And Zane knows it too.

The paranoia from last night sweeps through me again, the fear that they are about to get caught nearly crippling, but I clench my jaw, shoving it down as deep as it will go.

“I wasn’t aware my loose cunt was so sought after,” I say to Clyde. “It appears men will do anything to get a taste.” I shove my water glass away, and turn my focus to Viper. “I guess the taste you got last night made you delusional enough to think I’d want to marry you.”

Viper bites his bottom lip, which does nothing to hide his grin.

“Cora,” Clyde says, the single word a warning.

Zane’s soft chuckle sends fire through my brain. “It’s your money, not your pussy, that’s desired, Cora,” he says. “Who’s the delusional one again?”

The urge to pick up the heavy crystal water glass and toss it across the table at him nearly owns me, but I gain control of myself. This is the second time Rune has tried to marry me off to further his business ties and get his hands on my money, and this is the second time they—Clyde, the men—have left me in the dark.

The anger that spikes is real. I don’t have to pretend that. I shove back from the table as I stand, hard enough that my chair rocks backward. Breaker gives me a warning look that wouldhave had me cowering in terror before. Before I had this man on his knees last night begging to have me. Before I knew he’d sooner chop off his own arm than hurt me, because he’s that in love with me.

My heart tumbles, crashing to my stomach. The absolute certainty of his feelings, their feelings, hits me so hard that my head swims.

Fear sears through me at the thought of something happening to them.

To any of them. I grind my teeth, every breath shallow and rushed, tears threatening to break free.

“Go fuck yourself, Zane,” I snap, teetering on the edge of sanity.

If Rune catches on, he’ll kill them like he killed their brother. The severity of the situation hits me so hard, I nearly double over, but I grind my jaw, and straighten my spine.

My fingers furl into the fabric of my dress, eyes stinging, hating the fear circling inside me like vultures, and turn my focus to Clyde. “Let’s go.”

“Sit down,” Viper says, tone bored. “Now.”

“Guess the deal is off,” Zane says, a little too gleefully. “Rune will be disappointed.”

“The deal still stands,” Viper says. He snaps his fingers, drawing my attention to him. “Sit down.”

“I’m not a fucking dog,” I seethe.Jesus.In love with me or not, Vince really is a dick. And Viper plays him a little too well.

Zane stands from the table, tossing his napkin down on his empty plate. “Looks like she doesn’t accept,” he says to Viper before turning to Breaker. “I’m sure that goes for both of you.”

“Sit down,” Viper says again.

“Ms. Jul—” Breaker starts, but I storm away, my body trembling with too many emotions, and his words cut off. I makeit all of three steps before Zane’s two bodyguards step in my way. I shove at the asshole with the grabby hands. “Move, Damon.”

Damon smirks, stepping to the side to stop me from walking around him.

“I must have forgotten to mention,” Zane says, sauntering over until he’s next to the guards, his features hard as he glares at me. “I’ve been told to bring you home for a little family meeting.”

I grind my teeth to keep from screaming. From crying. From ripping that fucking smirk off his face. Is he purposely sabotaging this? Guessing how I would react? He must have figured that, like with him, no one would bother to tell me I was expected to marry.