Page 18 of Viper

My eyes track Rune’s as he moves around the kitchen, frying eggs and making toast. Acting as if last night never happened.

Fucking psychopath.

He still hasn’t hired new staff or security, and I can only guess that when Clyde said he was waiting to hear from their father, leaving himself exposed and vulnerable was a sign of peace. His version of waving a white flag, confident their father won’t come after him. Because he truly believes that money is an acceptable exchange for his daughter’s life.

That the men simply want money as payment for their brother’s life.

It’s always about money with him.

“There you are.” Clyde’s voice cracks through the kitchen and my head snaps toward the doorway, my heart nearly exploding. For a split second, relief floods my system, but it’s short-lived when I lock in on Clyde’s face.

He’s clean shaven as usual, the Windsor knot of his tie sitting perfectly centered. If you didn’t know him, you’d think he looked exactly the same. But a calculated coldness turns his features hard. Turns the deep brown of his eyes fiery, ready to burn the world around him.

Clyde’s ruinous gaze locks on Rune as he moves toward him. His eyes drift to the knife block feet away. My pulse hammers in my throat. I grip my mug, waiting for him to grab Rune and punch him, over and over until he’s bloody and raw. For him to snatch a knife and stab him.

But then Rune drops the spatula into the pan, faces him and says, “Where the fuck have you been?” and within a fraction of a second, the murderous look vanishes, falling away as Clyde slips on his mask.

He even smiles. “Is a man not allowed to sleep?” Reaching for a mug, he snags up the carafe and pours himself coffee. “When the fuck are you getting Claudia back? I miss her coffee.” He turns around and his dark eyes land on me. “Jesus. What the fuck happened to you?”

My thoughts scatter into a million pieces. When I left, I figured Clyde would have enough foresight to let me handle this like I always have. That he’d figured out this isn’t new, and I have dealt with Rune before.

Maybe he has, and that’s exactly why he’s here.

So I don’t have to do this alone.

“I fell in the shower,” I blurt out, so obviously lying that I cringe. Clearing my throat, I set the mug down gently. “Last night. When I was at my condo to get clothes.”

Clyde crosses the room, hooking a finger under my chin to examine my face. His thumb brushes my cheek. The concern I see turning his eyes softer is real. There is no faking that.

“I let you out of my sight for five fucking minutes, girl,” Clyde grumbles.

“You know me. Always the klutz,” I say, watching Rune from the corner of my eye.

Clyde’s focus lingers on the bruise on my cheek, a dark edge turning his demeanor icy, and I swear I see the moment he realizes the amount of times I’ve lied to his face, covering for Rune.

His hand drops and that cold intensity shifts to Rune. My fingers curl into my jeans, my entire body tense as I wait for the explosion of rage. Something. Anything.

But there’s nothing.

Is that disappointment souring my belly?

“What are we doing about Zane?” Clyde asks, backing away to open the fridge and pulling out the creamer.

And like that, it’s over. The fear, my careful movements to make sure Rune never suspects Clyde knows the truth, and in a moment it’s done.

I blink back tears as Clyde pours creamer into his mug. Sips it, making conversation with Rune, marveling at how easy this is for him. To lie. Pretend.

But I keep forgetting. He’s had years of practice.

“It was a warning,” Rune says, back to checking on the eggs and pretending he’s a good, decent man. A father who cooks breakfast for the girl he took in and raised like his own. He flicks the burner off and slides the fried eggs onto a plate, then butters the toast like normal.

I pick up my mug. Sip my tea. Act normal.

I may be good at this too, but I’ll never be used to it.

“A warning?” Clyde asks. “Because we forced his hand?”

“More than likely.” Rune sets the plate down and slides it my way. “When I had Zane contact him, requesting her return with zero fuss, I imagine he was furious. Probably why he waited so long to bring her back. Just to spite me.”