Page 27 of Viper

“Has he made advances toward you or toward any of your brot—”

“No, sir,” I say, cutting him off.

Father’s jaw grinds, and that kindness, that last shred of humanity that clings to him, disappears. “You are dismissed.” I turn to leave, but stop when he says, “You know that’s not what I meant, Viper. I only mean—”

“I thought I was dismissed?” I say, not looking his way. “Because I’d rather be shoved into isolation than talk with my father about unholy desires.”

He lets out a sigh. I think I’m the only one who exasperates him this much. Besides Reaper and Hunter.

“Or does this sin require a whipping?” I ask, meeting his eyes over my shoulder. “To remove it from me?”

I know I’m pushing him, but I can’t seem to help myself.

“Watch your tongue,” he snaps, pushing up from his seat. I shift slightly, waiting for the command to go to ISO, but he says, “I’ll speak with Cook. It is obvious—”

“Don’t,” I say so quickly Father’s brows raise but I’m not sure if it’s from the fact I’ve cut him off once again or from my vehement response.

He studies me, then nods. My shoulders relax. It’s better he thinks I’m too embarrassed to have him talk to Cook than the alternative.

“Very well,” he says. “I’ll take your word that this… unappetizing feeling is under control.”

I nod, my stomach roiling.

Father waves at the door, and like that, the conversation we have had once every few months for what feels like forever comes to an end.

I leave his office and rush down the hall, my feet moving so fast, they’re almost keeping up with my heartbeat. I reach the kitchen and spot Cook and Breaker at the sink. Cook lets out a gross, garish laugh, and his hand moves to Breaker’s thin shoulder.

“Move,” I bark out, shoving my way between them. Breaker stumbles a little, casting me a frown. I nod toward the door. “I’ll do this. You get the laundry before Maxy has a breakdown over that stain on your shirt.”

He glances down at his gray shirt and swipes at the smudge, muttering a curse.

When he leaves, Cook nudges my shoulder with his. “Another warning?” he asks and winks.

“Fuck you,” I say.

Minutes to drown? I wonder if the incinerator where we burn the trash would be faster. Probably. He deserves to suffer, so maybe drowning is best.

“Better be careful,” he says, his singsong voice, slipping under my skin like maggots. “One day he’s going to figure it out.”

Chapter 10

Viper

Lateafternoonsunheatsthe asphalt. It’s technically winter, but this far south the temperature still hovers in the lower 70s. A warm breeze sweeps across the lot, and I tug at my short-sleeved black shirt, glad I changed before I left. Between traffic, road construction, idiot drivers, and having to stop for gas, the drive took far longer than normal.

But I’m here now. Even if it’s late in the day.

Swiping hair off my forehead, I punch the code into the keypad outside the garage. The metal door rattles shut. I expect Breaker to barge out of the factory, all hell and spit-fire, spewing one question after another. Like, why the fuck am I here? Why did I leave our girl? Don't I think he’s capable of handling this on his own?

His ability to protect Cora isn’t the problem. He’s capable. More than. Lethal when he needs to be. It’s not a lack of confidence in him that brings me here, to this old, worn-down place we called our base for years. It’s the hollow ache that’sbeen spreading through my chest since he left, the phantom limb pain of missing a vital part of myself.

Seven days without him feels like seven years.

Reaper is going to have my head for taking the SUV, but my skin has been crawling with inaction. Waiting does nothing. Waiting has just brought us more problems.

Like our little Vixen being sent back to her abuser.

My jaw tightens until pain shoots through my temple. Problem now, I’m away from Delilah. From all of them.