Page 138 of Viper

What the fuck was Breaker thinking?

Just the memory of Zane’s greedy eyes on him makes me want to drive across town and open fire on his fucking house.

“That level of violence was unnecessary,” Breaker spits out, gripping my arm and forcing me to face him. My fingers unfurl as I try to regain control, but the urge to maim, kill, fuckingdestroysomething doesn’t leave. “You thought that killing his guard was the right way to go?”

My pulse throbs so hard in my neck it feels like it may explode at any second. But it’s nothing compared to the level of fury emanating from him, popping a vein in his forehead.

I suck in a breath, knowing I need to maintain control so we don’t end up in a fistfight. “Need I remind you—”

“Infrontof Cora?” he shouts.

My teeth gnash together. Not my best move, but the fucker had it coming. “The guy was yanking her around.”

Breaker’s hand lands on his head, and he sinks into the chaise near me. “We have to stay focused, Viper. Follow the plan to a T.”

“But it was acceptable for you to fly off the rails and fuck up Zane?” I ask.

Not waiting for one of his smart-ass remarks, I go to the bar and pick up the glass decanter and pour two fingers of whisky. Vodka is my preference, but at this point anything will do.

If I could drown myself in it, I would.

“Killing the staff is not the best way to prove we’re worth the risk to Rune,” Breaker says, watching me down the drink. “He has to trust us.”

“That’sexactlythe way to prove it.” I glance at the whisky but decide to leave it. The glass clinks as I set it down on the tray, and turn to face him. “We’re trying to get into a hunt, Breaker. To kill people. I just proved that I’m capable of the level of violence Rune craves.”

“But not in front of Cora.” He locks his fingers behind his head as he stands, like he’s trying to keep from grabbing me and strangling me. Exactly what I want to do to him right now. “You just scared the shit out of her. After she found out she’s being forced to marry. Again.”

“Trust me when I say she can handle it,” I tell him, swiping my thumb on the dots of blood staining the front of my shirt. The guard was a bleederandan asshole. Untucking it, I head for the walk-in closet.

“I don’t want her to have to handle it,” Breaker says, following me.

“Stop treating her like she’s fragile,” I say, turning to face him. His focus shifts, eyes skimming every inch of my bare chest as I toss the ruined shirt to the floor. Adrenaline courses through me, every cell in my being overly aware of him. Even pissed at me, he can’t help but look. The way he eyed Zane flashes through my mind, and another hit of anger courses through me like poison. I snatch a fresh shirt and shove past him. “Cora is anything but weak. She is far stronger than you give her credit for.”

“I don’t want her to have to be strong,” Breaker grates, again at my heels. “She doesn’t have to be if we protect her.”

My laugh is bitter. “Protect,” I snarl. “So you’re protecting her by flirting with a psychopath?”

He grips my arm, stopping me before I can move too far away. “Oh, we’re discussing sudden changes in our plans now?” He moves in close, towering over me. “After you killed someone?”

“You flirted with Zane-fucking-Devin,” I say, doing my best to keep my voice even. I fail and yell, “You eye-fucked the man responsible for—”

“I got his attention away from you,” he snaps. He moves in closer, into my space like he does when he’s about to orderme to my knees. “He fucking hates you, and that’s going to be a problem.”

“Hate is better than desire.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Jealous? What is wrong with you?” I grate out. “Since when was letting him think you were interested part of the plan?”

He shrugs, unbuttoning his shirt. My eyes fall to his hands.

“He’s a fucking sociopath,” I growl. “Now he’s going to try to—”

“Fuck me?” he asks, a slight taunt staining his tone. “Might even spend tonight thinking about bending me over? Take my ass like—”

“The complete deranged psychopath that he is.” I take a step back, raking my fingers through my hair. “We’re not playing this game, Breaker. It’s too dangerous.”

A soft chuckle escapes him. “This entire mission is dangerous,” he reminds me. “Zane is a weak, sour little man with an addiction problem. He thinks power comes from stealing it.”