Page 56 of Viper

I know because that’s exactly what he did with us.

Everything he’sstilldoing to us.

My focus shifts back to Delilah. A strong wind bursts off the water, and she tucks her chin into her little black coat. She looks so small and breakable in her leggings and small boots, hands buried in the pockets of the jacket. She must be exhausted. We’ve only had a week of training, and her body isn’t used to the hours of practice, much less this cold. I hope she’s warm enough. I hope…

Fuck.We’re so fuckingfucked.

“He needs to keep his hands off her,” Reaper grates as Father pats her back. He’s so tense he’s nearly bursting out of hisskin, glaring at Father, who’s positioned himself right next to her as he tests her skill. Which is doing nothing but testing Reaper.

Father’s entire plan, I’m sure.

As much as I detest him being close to her after his vicious display of power, I know he’s proven his point and won’t hurt her again unless provoked. He forced our hand. We’ve admitted we care for her. He has his ammunition, and we know to follow his every command so he doesn’t use it.

Now he just wants to ensure she’s capable. It’s not that he won’t turn at any second. That’s who Fallon is, hot and cold, but as long as we all play by his rules, he won’t lose his temper and take it out on our girl.

Years of watching a monster with sharp teeth and hidden claws taught me that Fallon can be reasonable and rarely takes unnecessary risks. Hurting Delilah further, he knows, would only further rip the divide starting between us, and he doesn’t want that.

He may have new soldiers, but we’re his first.

We’re his sons.

And he needs her trust as much as we do. Fallon is strategic in his warnings. He scared her, and us, just enough, and now he wants to see how loyal she truly is. Because if he doesn’t gain her full loyalty and trust her enough himself, I’m not sure he’ll send her back to Rune.

That thought sits heavily, and I glance again at Reaper. “He enjoys testing us,” I remind him, “but that’s not why he’s here.”

“Added bonus,” he says, sarcasm lining each word. “But you’re right. He needs to make sure she won’t tell Rune everything when she returns.”

“She won’t.”

Reaper rips his gaze from Father to meet my eyes. “No. She won’t.”

Our girl proved her loyalty with every harsh lash of the belt to her back. My gut churns at the memory, hating that we failed her so horribly.

Beside me, Reaper shifts, an angry growl slipping out.

“Calm the fuck down.” I nudge his arm with my elbow, and he shifts his glare from Father to me. I narrow my eyes. “He’s watching.”

Reaper’s body goes stiff as Father rests a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes dart back to us for reassurance. That she’s checking in with us, gauging our reaction, means she trusts us not just with her body, but with her safety.

Trust we don’t deserve.

The wind shifts, sending long black tendrils of shiny black hair across her face. She’s so stunningly beautiful, and so much stronger than we gave her credit for. Cora’s green eyes fill my mind. Viper and Breaker better be fucking taking care of her.

“She’s fine as long as we’re fine,” I say. “He’s going to touch her. Talk to her.”

I’m aware I’m trying to help ease my unsettled gut as much as assure Reaper. We’re all protective of one another, and this is the first time we’ve had something outside ourselves to worry over. To protect. To watch walk through life so vulnerable.

We’re a unit. And now we have two small, fragile women who hold our hearts and minds, and everything is fucking pure chaos inside me.

Inside us.

Because I’ve never seen Reaper so…affected.

Which screams he’s feeling everything I’m feeling right now.

Pissed off that our father, this violent, cruel man, dares to touch our girl. Furious with the four of us for being so blinded by revenge, we would hurt something so small and delicate to achieve it.

Father pulls her closer, and I clamp a hand on Reaper’s shoulder to keep him still.