Page 183 of Viper

“Go,” a deep voice says, barely above a whisper.

Hunter’s ruthless grip tightens, and my feet finally uproot. He drags me back as the barrel digs into my temple until we’re behind a building.

The gun lowers, and when I face him, I catch the horror written in his features, pulling the dark skin around his eyes tight with fear, right before I lean over and my stomach empties next to his shiny black shoes.

“Get out of here,” he whispers.

I wipe my mouth and stand upright, blinking in the aftermath of what we just saw, until I’m focusing on his brown eyes. My gaze drops to his three-piece suit, and I stupidly wonder if he’s the devil incarnate, because why would anyone wear such an expensive suit out here in this evil place.

My stomach roils again, and I bend over, clutching my middle. The man grabs my shoulder, pulling me upright, then glances behind him toward the clearing. He shoves at my shoulder like he’s trying to get me moving, but then his brows knit and he takes a step back, his gaze locked on me.

“Jesus,” he says, eyes trailing all over my face. With a shaking hand, he swipes at the sweat on his brow. He licks his lips and for a minute I think he may be sick but the man says, “Get the fuck out of here.”

“What is going on?” Hunter hisses. “And who the fuck are you?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he says and turns the gun, holding the grip out to me, and I notice the suppressor. “My knee. Make it clean.”

I don’t think. I act. My fingers wrap around it, and I point, but hesitate.

“Do it and get the fuck out of here before they catch you,” he grates. He grips my cheeks between his fingers. “He won’t kill me if he thinks you overpowered me.”

I meet his gaze, lower the gun and shoot.

The quietpoppingsound crashes through the din in my head, and suddenly everything is clear.

The man places a hand on the wooden building and turns just enough so that when he leans over and pukes, it doesn’t hit my boots. He takes a deep breath, swipes the back of his hand over his mouth, face twisted in agony, then points to the woods. “Run.”

When we don’t move, he shoves me again.

“Go,” he whisper-screams. “Get the fuck out of here before Rune does that to you.”

Hunter grips my arm, and without looking back, we run.

Chapter 57

Viper

One hour ago, December, Age 32

Thefloorboardscreakundermy foot, and I wince, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I didn’t wake her. When Delilah doesn’t move, I open the door and step into the hall. My gaze lands on Breaker leaned against the wall. He cocks his head to the side as I shut the door.

“Is she sleeping?” he asks. He’s not showered yet either, dirt smearing along his chest and arms. Even covered in sweat and filth, he’s so incredibly sexy that I can’t help but reach for him.

“The second her head hit the pillow. We’ll give her a few minutes.” I press my lips to his chest, inhaling sex and sweat andearth. “I was going to get a change of clothes, then wake her and shower with her.”

He makes a sound in his throat, throwing his head back, as my mouth skims the thick line of his throat. His fingers dig into my waist, sliding up to the dried cum on my chest as my teeth delicately sink into his Adam’s apple.

“Maybe I’ll join you,” he grates. “Continue the birthday celebration.”

I step away, brows knitted.

He chuckles and digs his phone from his pocket to show me the screen. I read the date and sure enough, it’s December 12th. With everything that’s happened, the weeks of stress and chaos, I forgot my own birthday.

“How’s that sound old man?” Breaker grins, a slightly wild, unhinged slant to it. He pulls me close, lips skimming over mine. His heated breath fans my face. “Fuck, I can still taste her, smell her on you.”

When I back away, I catch the same feral, heated look that still sings in my veins. It’s as if we awakened something out there in those woods. A demanding, ancient need to fuck and own. He rakes his fingers into my hair, gripping it at the roots and tugging my hair back to take my mouth, and my hips thrust forward on instinct, that primal clawing rested deep inside me turning sharp and needy.

“Let’s—” the sharp slam of the front door cuts off his next few words, and Breaker steps back.