Page 73 of Viper

Though she and Viper spent a lot of time together, it was only in the confines of their own homes. Ella never drove to and from his compound, just as he never drove to and from her apartment complex. They traveled together using teleportation, and no one ever saw. Other than for his brothers, of course. They’d never tell anyone about it.

“I don’t need you to confirm or deny it,” the blonde added. “And I’m not looking to cause trouble for you or to spread your secret around.”

Again, doubtful.The descendant would have no reason to protect Ella’s privacy.

“I just wanted to warn you, one woman to another, that you are wasting your time with Viper,” the blonde explained, her voice laced with a candid sympathy.

Oh, sothiswas her game. She was going to pressure Ella to steer clear of Viper, acting as though she was doing it in the name of sisterhood.

“He’ll never commit to a demon. There are too many things he’d be unable to share with you. And before you ask how I could know that, given I’m not part of his club”—a gentle smile curved the descendant’s mouth that carried a hint of condescension—“I just know.”

“If you feel the need to chase away any women you think might be involved with him, you very obviously are looking to land him. Which begs the question: why would you bother to try when you believe he’d never commit to a demon?”

“He’d make an exception for a descendant. We have similar secrets.”

So she was eluding to things that were connected to his angelic nature, then.

“I understand him in ways you never will. Ways only my kind and his own could understand.”

“How marvelous for you. Thanks for sharing what is totally irrelevant information. I’ll, uh, see you around, I guess. I mean, youarearound a lot.”

The blonde’s eyes narrowed at the taunt.

“Okay, I’m done,” announced Mia as she sidled up to Ella. She did a slight double-take at the sight of the descendant, who appeared equally surprised to see her.

Worried the blonde might blurt out something she shouldn’t, Ella quickly guided her sister away.

“You know her?” Mia asked.

Ella gave a small, flippant shrug. “I don’t know her name or anything, but I know her face.”Change the subject, change the subject.“Anyway, what did Leif want?”

Mia heaved a sigh. “Apparently, Joe is having ‘a bad time’ and Leif feels it would be good for me to go visit him. I got the feeling from some of the stuff Leif said that he’s not aware of how Joe’s been acting toward me lately. He seemed to think I’d be like, ‘yeah, sure, I’ll track him down right now.’”

Maybe it made her a little insensitive, but Ella wasn’t feeling too bad for her sister’s anchor—he’d behaved like an ass recently. Still, she’d support Mia in whatever she wanted to do. “Are you going to check on him?”

“I don’t think he’d want to see me. And, if I’m honest, I don’t really want to see him. There’s too much tension and bad vibes between us at the moment. Giving each other space makes more sense.”

Ella gently bumped Mia’s shoulder with her own. “It’ll all sort itself out eventually. I truly believe that.”

“I hope you’re right. I really do.”

At Ghost’s telepathic news, Viper felt his hand flex around his mug.What do you mean, Neta approached her?

It didn’t seem that she was being confrontational or rude, Ghost replied.I couldn’t hear any of what was said, I wasn’t close enough. But Ella didn’t look upset or rattled. More like … inconvenienced.

Viper clenched his jaw, biting back a curse.

At the breakfast bar, Jester caught his eye and flicked up a questioning brow.

Viper raised his forefinger, wanting more information from Ghost before he relayed the conversation.You’re sure Ella ain’t upset?

She doesn’t look it. She waltzed off with her sister, shrugging off the whole thing with Neta easily. She seems more focused on Mia.

That was something, at least.

Want me to nab Neta?

No, stay on Ella. I’ll have someone else do it.Focusing on Jester, Viper informed him, “Neta spoke to Ella in the Underground just now.”

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