Page 21 of Viper

My reminder to obey.

A step creaks beneath my bare foot. I freeze, eyes darting upward. One would think I’ve learned my lesson, but here I am, once again, headed for the fourth floor where the men sleep. But this time I’m not looking for keys, or clues, or a way to escape. I’m looking for Reaper.

When I woke this morning, Striker was gone. He’d stayed with me all night, adjusting covers, but they all came loose as I tossed and turned, too restless to sleep. Each time my eyesfluttered open, I’d find him sitting up, gaze fixed on me like if he looked away, I’d vanish.

The poisonous fear Fallon inflicted was something I’ve never experienced before. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Fallon’s cruel smirk, felt the bite of the belt against my flesh. I’ve never felt as helpless as I did with my arms stretched out and Fallon at my back. I couldn’t stop what was happening to me. There was no way to stop what he was doing to them.

This morning, as I lay in bed watching the sun paint my bedroom in bright gold light, all I could think about was Cora. She’s never had any control over what happened to her. Not only did she lose her parents in a car crash, but their reputation was destroyed after it came out they screwed Rune over in a business deal. Knowing she was innocent, my father took her in, giving her a sense of security, and raised her with me. Loved her like a father. Then, he ripped away that love. brutally. He forced things on her that no one should ever endure. In an instant, Cora lost control of her body and who had access to it.

Rune gets what he wants. Always. Whether it be by force, manipulation, or murder. My best friend lost so much when he decided he wanted her. I may have been under his thumb, but I still owned my body.

It wasn’t until last night, unable to stop Fallon, did I fully understand the scope of what it means to have zero control. No amount of begging would have stopped him.

How many times did Cora beg Rune to stop? How many times did she feel that same helplessness and lack of control?

The thought twists my mind into a chaotic spiral. Shoves me to the brink of sanity, so close to the edge that I’m seeking out Reaper to make a deal.

At the top of the stairs, I pause, fingers furling around the black fabric in my hand. Reaper is hard to read, but if the last few days have taught me anything about him, he cares a hell ofa lot more than he’s let on. They all do. It’s possible Fallon has fucked them up to the point they simply don’t know how to show it. Reaper is coldness to the point of bitter, then consuming fiery heat. Hard, then soft touches. He’s an oxymoron, but one thing remains constant.

His need for control.

He’s controlled me since I first laid eyes on him. I’ve been at his mercy, playing by his rules. The night in bed with him proved it.

If I want this, I have to let him lead.

With my mind made up, I walk forward, my feet barely whispering against the cold floor. I pause at his door, noting it’s slightly ajar, almost as if he knew I’d come to him. My hand freezes over the knob when his voice cuts through the silence.

“If you’re planning on stealing the keys, Viper beat you to it,” Reaper says, his voice slightly muffled by the door. “We’re stuck here until another car is delivered.”

I push the door open and step into his room, my heart hammering. My gaze immediately lands on him, and my pulse skyrockets.

Just like that day in the library, he stands in front of the window with his back to me, his mask off, revealing the thick black hair sleeked back over his head and the tattoos snaking up his neck from under his shirt. I eat up the sight of what little I can see of him. His ears, exposed by the hair that’s shaved close to his head. The black ink on his skin and his strong back.

Memories flood me. His taste and his touch. The filthy words that bleed from him when I do everything he wants and let him take. Let him own me. How he made me feel so cherished, then ripped it away, leaving me desperate for more.

But I won’t get more until I play along.

Be a good little Kitten.

Fallon’s visit last night taught me two things. They are controlled by him and their need for revenge. I’m controlled by them and my need to avenge the wrongs done to Cora. I could say my primary motivation is stopping the cruel, barbaric hunts, but I’d be stretching the truth. As much as I want Rune stopped, what I really want is him dead so Cora will never feel that helpless fear again.

Inching further into the room, I wait for him to slip his mask over his head, but after a few seconds, when he still doesn’t move, I realize he’s not going to.

My already rapid heartbeat thumps faster. Harder.

Touch her again, and I’ll gut you.

Reaper threatened tokillhis father.

It wasn’t until this moment, staring at him, that I fully comprehended the significance of his words. Of their actions. Reaper and Striker stood against their father to protect me. They knew what was coming. They tried to keep him from me, but Fallon and his soldiers were too much for them.

Part of me wonders if that’s why Fallon brought so many. If he knew his sons would try to stand against him and the only way he was going to keep control was to threaten their lives.

The thought chills my blood. That they know him on this deep, dark level. That they have endured that type of abuse before. Likely things I’ll never comprehend.

Biting my lip, I debate my next few words, but then they burst out of me unchecked. “I’ll do it. I’ll kill Rune.”

Other than a slight bunching of his shoulders, he remains still.