Page 111 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘The maze gives me things when I ask,’ she says as if this is all completely normal, which, even in Supeland, it is not.

I sit down on the nearest bench hard. ‘It does?’

‘Maddox didn’t tell you? It gifted me a link key to leave three months ago.’

I frown at the bush. ‘You might not like me,’ I murmur so Jules can’t hear, ‘but you ever put her in danger like that again, and I’ll find a way to take you off the map, Murder Maze.’

I’m half afraid that I’m going to get disappeared again, and I ready myself just in case, but nothing happens. I don’t get anyfeelingsfrom the hedges next to me, either.

‘Okay, pup,’ Jules says, standing up. ‘You have to stay in the maze, okay? I’ll come and visit you, and I’ll bring food first thing tomorrow. You rest your little paw.’

She ignores my scoff at ‘little paw’ as she begins to wring her hands. ‘You think I’m doing the right thing? Will he be okay in here?’ she asks as she watches the pooch lope off down one of the paths.

I feel her apprehension, and I frown at the nearest clump of shrubbery. ‘Give her some fucking reassurance, would you?’ I mutter. ‘She’s worried.’

A second later, her anxiety begins to melt away. ‘I think the maze likes him,’ she says, letting out a sigh and looking relieved.

‘Come on,’ I say, taking her hand. ‘You’re shivering. It’s time to get inside.’

She lets me lead her back out the way we came, and we go into the house via the kitchen.

‘What the hell were you thinking?’ an angry voice snarls as soon as we close the door.

Maddox is leaning against the wall, lying in wait for us.

Jules pales immediately. ‘Um, well, you see ...’

‘Not you!’ Maddox barks and then grimaces. ‘I’ll deal with you later, pet,’ he says more calmly.

He produces his phone and holds it up. It’s a video of the alleyway showing me ‘attacking’ Jules and throwing her against the wall. In my excitement, I’d kind of forgotten there was a camera up there. I watch the screen, getting hard as I watch myself rip her dress down and cover her mouth with my hand. I tear my eyes away from the screen to glance at Jules, noting the torn neckline that’s only just keeping her tits covered under my jacket.

Fuck, that’s hot.

‘Can I get a copy of that?’ I mutter.

‘What were you thinking?’ Maddox yells.

‘I wasn’t actually assaulting her,’ I start.

‘But she didn’t know it was you at first!’ Maddox thunders. ‘She was terrified, and she’spregnant! You could have triggered premature labor or something!’

I wince, inwardly rebuking myself because I had no idea, and I should have. I need to read those books Maddox and Daemon have.

‘You’re right,’ I say. ‘I didn’t know that was a thing. I’m sorry.’ I turn to Jules. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay,’ she says. ‘I liked it.’

Maddox mutters something under his breath.

‘I know you did, babe,’ I say, pulling her closer, ‘but Maddox is right. No more CNC stuff until after the baby is born. I gave you all that shit earlier about thinking things through, and I’m just as much to blame. We both need to start making better decisions.’

I glance at the screen that’s still in Maddox’s hand, now showing Jules hugging Fluffy in the alleyway, and I grimace as Maddox looks down at it, his eyes bulging almost comically.

‘It gets worse,’ he grows. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

He keeps watching, his jaw getting tighter as he sees us go through the portal.

‘I’m going to ask you this once, Jules,’ he says tightly, ‘and I expect a straight answer.’