Page 48 of Viper

“I’ve said this before, I know, but you lucked out with Luka. I know he’s no one’s idea of a teddy bear, but you can rely on him. That’s worth its weight in gold.”

“It is, and I don’t take it for granted.” Ella leaned back in her chair. “How come you waited so long to call me? Was it a long conversation, or did you need time to calm down?”

“I was a little pissed with Joe for being a dingus, so I hit a club on the way home and hooked up with a guy who swore he’d fuck my anger out of me.”

Well.“That’s quite a job you set him,” said Ella, feeling her mouth kick up. Mia’s nerves weren’t easy to settle, even with great sex. “Tell me more about this dude.”

“I will when you tell me whoyouhooked up with at the Red Rooms a few nights ago.”

Not happening. “A lady never tells.”

“Lady. Ha. That’s funny.”

Ella frowned. “Hey, I’m all grace and manners and serenity.”

“Sure you are,” Mia mocked.

“Now, seriously, are you sure you’re okay about this Joe thing?”

“I wouldn’t say I’mokay. Especially because he seemed to think I’d be heartbroken. Yet, had he turned up at my apartment—my safe space, where I’m most comfortable—to reveal something that he thought would hit me right in the heart? No. He’d requested thatIgo tohim. Like he couldn’t be bothered making the journey even to make it easier on me. And it’s just an extra kick to the gut.”

Ella shook her head hard, as furious as she was stunned. “I don’t get why he’s being such a jackass.” In the past, he’d been intensely protective toward Mia. Loyal and reliable. A goodfriend and confidant. “Apparently, he’s forgotten that you’re anchors or something.”

“I could honestly think I’ve done something to upset him. But we haven’t argued or anything. We didn’t end the fling on a bad note.He’dbeen the one to cut it short, not me. And with good reason, since he had his sights set on someone else. Where’s my crime, please?”

Nowhere to be seen.

“I had to leave fast or my demon would have surfaced and … well, it wouldn’t have been pretty. It’s a little calmer now.”

“Thanks to the guy you’re not going to tell me about?”

“Yes. Thanks to him.”

“You’re seriously not going to tell me who it was?”

“Not until you give me more deets on who fucked you in the Red Rooms.”

Yeah, that wouldn’t be happening. “Fine. I didn’t really want to know anyway.”

A cackle. “Liar.”

The one word echoed Viper’s earlier accusation, bringing the memory of his voice—oh, she was pretty sure she could come just listening to him talk—to the forefront of her mind.

I’ll give you a few more days to come to me. If that doesn’t happen, Iwillcome to you.

Going by the way that simple promise riled up her hormones, Ella couldn’t honestly say she’d resist him if he did.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“She’s going to steal my soul.”

Ella stared at the human male opposite her, words failing her. Neve had texted his address earlier, adding,This one is weird even for me. I leave it in your capable hands.

Ella had to admit she’d been curious. And so here she was, sitting at his kitchen island while he stood on the other side of it. Brock was his name. Only twenty years old, he still lived with his parents and was home for his college break.

He was also presently a nervous wreck—biting at his lips, rubbing his nape, tugging at his tousled brown hair, restlessly rocking back and forth on his heels.

“She comes every night,” he said, a tremor to his voice. “It doesn’t matter what I do, it doesn’t matter that I removed all the mirrors and that I’ve covered all reflective surfaces.” Desperation glinted in his slanted, green eyes. “She always finds a way in.”

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