Page 74 of Viper

Across the table, Dave leans back in his chair, pretending to look over a file, and next to me, Clyde shifts, but remains quiet. We all do. Rune and Zane rarely clash, but when they do, it’s like a nuclear bomb going off.

“You called things off,” Rune seethes. “First, we forced his hand, then you spat in his face.”

Zane laughs. “He took her, Rune. How is demanding he abide by the code forcing his hand?”

“It’s a fucking game to him.” Rune slaps the table again as if emphasizing his words. “Every single thing he does is a move on a chessboard. We forced him to return her, and then you canceled the wedding.”

Zane levels him with a cool gaze. “I don’t want a secondhandwhoreas a wife.”

Rune tenses, hands curling into fists. Beside me, Clyde’s anger builds like a storm., turning him tense. I place my hand on his arm, and he shifts, relaxing some.

“That works out well for both of us,” I say, picking up my pen and tapping it on the table. The sharpclinkdrags everyone’s attention my way. “I’d prefer not to marry a man with a tiny dick and only one good hand.”

Zane bolts up from his chair, but Rune casts him a glare that has him sitting back down.

“Contact Snyder,” Rune says to him. “Have another meeting. And let him know we’re interested in his offer.” Rightas I’m about to ask what offer he means, he gestures to Dave. “You said his associates are in town?”

My stomach tumbles. Viper.

“One more,” Dave says, dropping the file on the table, looking bored despite the fact Zane is boiling in the seat next to him.

“They aren’t all here?” Clyde asks. “What’s the point of a meeting if we can’t speak to them all at once?”

Dave shakes his head. “The other one, Steele, is traveling. Spain, I think?” He shrugs, resting an elbow on the armrest and reclining back. “I don’t remember when he’s supposed to be back in the States.”

Striker’s face flashes in my mind.Does Reaper join them?I try to recall the names from the files when we bought the hotel chain, but I come up blank. There are only three partners in the group. Breaker said they, but never specified who.

“Contact them,” Rune says, dragging me from my thoughts. I look his way. He meets my eyes briefly before saying to Zane, “Did they mention if they brought the samples?”

He raises his cast. “I’ve been out of commission for the last week, so I have had no communication.”

“I can find out and set up a meeting,” Dave offers.

Rune nods, gathering his papers and then says to Clyde, “Continue to keep Cora at your side. Now that word is out the agreement is off, I’ll be making a new offer. So until it’s accepted, I don’t want him thinking he can use her as leverage again.”

New offer?

And because I can’t help myself, I say out loud, “What new offer?”

Rune ignores me and motions for everyone to leave the room. When I stand, he says, “No. Cora, you stay.”

Clyde tenses next to me, but shakes it off before anyone else notices. He taps the glossy table surface. “Don’t leave the building, Cora. I’m tired of chasing your ass around.”

I watch his back as he leaves, and the second the door closes behind him, Rune lets out a heavy sigh.

“Finally,” he says. “Now we can talk.”

Talk. My stomach clenches, shards of ice cutting through me. Rune fucked me once in this room, and I wouldn’t put it past him to attempt it now. Especially since he feels like he’s owed. But Clyde is right outside the door, so that can’t be why he wants me alone.

“I want you at the meeting.” He leans over, bracing his hands on the conference table, watching me. Like he’s waiting for my reaction.

“Do you mean the meeting with the Snyder Group?” I ask, keeping my expression blank.

“He’ll like you,” Rune says rather than answering my question. “And since I need what he has, you’ll do everything he wants.”

I need you fresh.

I think he’ll like you.