Page 72 of Viper

Think, think, think.

“I thought you wanted to see me,” I say, breathing through the terror building in my chest.

“I never said to meet me today,” Rune says, walking across the room to stand next to me. He places a hand on the back of his large leather office chair, looking down at me, then glances toward the window. He gestures toward them. “Is that your taxi down the street?”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Where is Clyde? There is no way he’d head home knowing Rune was returning so soon. He has to realize that I’m still here.

“Yes,” I say. “I knew Conner was with you. I thought you said…” I let the rest of the question die because the only time I would ever take a taxi anywhere was when I was sneaking around. Like I am right now. And he knows it.

He glances around the room, then down at the stack of files, then pins me with a dark look. He knows I’m up to something.

“I came in the back way,” I say. “I wanted to—”

“You wanted to make it up to me.” Rune runs a hand over my hair, and fear sparks in my belly. “For making me angry.”

Blood rushes from my head. A tremble moves through me, settling in my hands, so I clasp them in my lap, biting my lip, trying to stop it from quivering.

Of course he’d jump to that conclusion. That I came here undercover so I could spread my legs for him to make up for angering him.

He leans down and presses his lips to the top of my head. “My pretty girl, I don’t have time.”

I let out a shaky breath, trying not to pass out, not trusting my voice as he pulls me up from his seat. I don’t know how I’d have avoided that one. Any fighting him would leave me with more bruises.

And the men’s plan ruined, because I’m sure Clyde would kill him.

“Besides, I need you fresh,” he says, stepping back. His eyes move over me, and he nods like he’s agreeing with himself. “I think they’ll like you.”

Fresh.The word sticks in my head. Because fucking me means I wouldn’t be fresh. Fucking me means I’m his dirty whore. He knows what he does is vile, yet he does it anyway.

Maybe that’swhyhe does it.

“What do you mean?” I ask. I follow him as he goes to the large wooden cabinet and opens it, pulling out several files. He reads through the first few papers on each one, but I can’t see what’s typed on any of the pages. “Who will like me?”

Ignoring me, Rune stacks a few files on the nearby table. He lifts his chin toward the office door. “Send the taxi driver away. Conner will drop you off at Clyde’s so you can get ready for the meeting this afternoon.” When I don’t move, he lifts a brow. “Go. I’ll meet you at the office tomorrow.”

Stepping back, I nod, then do my best not to run out the door. Paranoia squirms in my belly like maggots as I walk through the front door, then down the drive, mentally going overeach of my steps, trying to remember if I put everything back in place.

My nerves are so frayed that my hand shakes as I rush down the street and tell the taxi driver to leave, and by the time I climb into Rune’s SUV, I’m sweating, having convinced myself that he’s going to figure out I was going through his files, that I almost burst into tears when I see Clyde’s car pull up the drive.

“Nevermind,” I tell Conner and hop out, telling myself not to run towards his car. The second he pulls to a stop, I hop in and slam the door. My entire body trembles, and Clyde’s eyes cloud over, all his features sharpening. Right as he’s reaching for his gun and the handle of the car door, I grab his arm and shake my head. “I’m fine.”

Clyde’s body eases, and he places his hands on the steering wheel. He rocks his head from side to side, loosening the tension coiled around him, then he puts the car in gear.

“Find anything worth reporting back to Reaper?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “Care to explain why every single one of Rune’s past lodge members is dead?”

Clyde shakes his head. “Nope.”

I sag into the seat, knowing I’ll get it out of him, eventually.

Chapter 24

Cora

Thedirtiestpartofblackmail is one must stoop to their enemy’s level in order for it to be successful. Most consider it reprehensible to use blackmail to coerce another, even if they are evil spawns of Satan, like Zane Devin. Even if the reason you’re doing it is to keep yourself safe.