Page 176 of Viper

Zane steps in front of me, and my heart pounds. I hate that he knows he’s got my attention now. Hate that he can see that he scares me a little.

A lot.

My fingers curl into the straps of my bag as I adjust it on my shoulder, trying to hide my nervousness behind a smirk. “And you like them older.”

He grins, this gross, slick curve of his lips that makes me grateful for Viper. For Clyde. “Rune likes them young and quiet, but then you know that.”

My cheeks heat. I inch around him, and head for the door. Zane darts in my path again. My heart tumbles, all too aware we’re alone on the floor, with only a few stragglers and the cleaning crew.

“Did you know how old Sophia was when he bought her?”

“Bought?” I ask. Of course, I vaguely remember the fight between my mother and Sophia years ago. Something about Sophia only having Rune and all her wealth because he was obsessed with her.

Obsessed to the point he ensured she was his.

Rune has always had money and power. Inherited it from his parents and built his empire. It would make sense he had an arranged marriage to Delilah’s mother, though her family was never mentioned. I have no idea where she even came from.

“She was quite expensive,” Zane says. “I learned that tidbit from your mommy dearest. She loved to talk, that woman. Your father too. Drake and Caroline were chatty. Running their mouths is what got them in the end, isn’t it?”

My heart races at how boldly he’s talking about this. “Rune got them in the end,” I say.

That slick smile returns. “He did. He really did.”

“What do you want, Zane?”

“Your silence,” he says, voice growing cold. “I’ve kept up my end of the bargain, now I need reassurance you’re going to keep your mouth shut.”

“A deal’s a deal,” I say, uneasy with the sudden shift in him. He’s gone from smug to aggressive in seconds. “You did what I asked. I have no reason to talk to Rune.”

He steps closer and grips my forearm. I jerk back, fear tingling my cheeks.

“I know they go to you,” he seethes. “Rune thinks you’re too stupid, but those fucking liars got in your head, didn’t they?”

My gut bottoms out.They.

The men.

“You were gone for weeks,” he says. “You come back and they did this.” He lifts his broken hand. “I did what you asked, and you still told them to do this.”

My laugh makes his jaw grind. “You really think I picked up a phone and ordered men—men who I can’t even identify, mind you—to come fuck up your hand?”

“He broke into my house,” Zane seethes, leaning forward to get in my face. “That same fucker who attacked me on the sidewalk.”

“My god, Rune is rubbing off on you. Paranoia is eating your last brain cell.” I point to the door. “Get out of my office.”

He steps in closer, his cologne filling my nose, making my belly twist. “You know who they are, don’t you? Those men you fucked?”

Better men than you, I think, but say, “Hired kidnappers? Hitmen? I have no clue, Zane.”

It’s getting easier and easier to lie.

A dark, angry gleam flashes behind his eyes as he huffs out a humorless chuckle. Alcohol fumes hit my nose. He’s been drinking and no doubt popping pills all week. Explains his erratic behavior.

“Back off. Remember what happens when someone touches me,” I snarl. “And I don’t think my new fiancé will like you near me.”

The flicker of fear across his face tells me he definitely remembers. But it melts into a smirk. “Fiancé? Sure took to that title well.”

“It’s easy to accept when the man I’m forced to marry has an enormous dick and knows how to fuck.” Now I lean in, glaring up at him, whispering, “And Ben is just as kinky. Double win for me.”