Page 151 of Viper

More questions swirl in my head, and just as I’m about to ask if Breaker is okay, if Cora is with him, Viper pulls me into the library, and he’s there.

Right there, feet away, between Striker and Reaper, his perfect, large body in uniform, his beautiful face hidden behind his mask.

“Breaker.” His name leaves me on an exhale, my voice thick.

Viper’s grip on my hand tightens, centering me. A strange tenderness floods the crack in my chest. Something warm and fragile, seeping into my bones. Some part of me wants to run away. Refuse to surrender to this terrible ache taking over.

But I know there’s no more running.

No hiding.

We do belong to them.

They are ours.

They aremine.

And I know with every fiber in my being I’ll do what I have to do to keep what’s mine, safe.

Breaker’s brilliant winter eyes drink me in, and I step forward, ready to rush into his arms. Ready to fall apart. To finally let all these pent-up emotions break free when Fallon’s voice cuts through me like shards of ice.

“You’ve wallowed long enough.” Fallon says. “You’re to resume your training today.”

Their father looks different today. The suit is gone, along with his cold, indifferent demeanor. It’s replaced with black slacks and a tight black shirt, much like the men’s, and a burning, almost smoky hate.

Fallon shifts, leaning forward, hands clasped at his back, his cool gaze slipping up my body, taking in my silk sleep dress and wool sweater. How Viper steps a tad closer as his father’s gaze lingers on me.

Fallon misses nothing, and he certainly doesn’t miss how his sons’ body language turns hostile the second he speaks. He knows. While I watched him, he watched us.

And he’s right.

Emotions do control me. I let them win and take over. I will kill to keep what’s mine. To seek revenge. To fucking ruin who dares to hurt the people I love.

Those emotions control his sons too.

And he hates me for it.

I meet Fallon’s glare, my voice steady and hardened with steel. “Then I guess we’d better begin.”

Fallon studies my face for a heartbeat, his jaw working. “You have one more week, Delilah. If you get my sons killed, you’ll pray Rune gets his hands on you before I do.”

Chapter 47

Viper

2 years ago, July, Age 30

Summerrainpoolsonthe uneven sidewalk outside the diner. Gasoline, oil, and the random candy wrapper swirl in a shimmering rainbow of city pollution, distorting my reflection. The heat is oppressive today, made worse by the afternoon thunderstorm that moved through on my drive here.

I fucking hate Florida.

The bell rattles and loud laughter spills out from the restaurant as two women step out onto the busy street. I grab the door, holding it open for them, letting them pass before going inside, doing my best to ignore their eyes.

I hate being ogled more than I hate this state.

But we’re here on a mission to end Rune, so we tolerate the crowds, the heat, the insufferable, vacuous city so we can monitor him. Figure out a way to get to him.

The AC blasts across my face as I enter, one of those curtain fans that block the heat and humidity from entering each time the door is opened. Doesn’t help. It’s nearly as hot and loud in here as it is outside.