Page 13 of Viper

“Right now you’re right here, but you’re going to go in there and he’s crazy.”

Abe pulls a nine-millimeter from his jeans. “Me too.” He leans in, his voice a raspy whisper as he says, “I’d bet I’m crazier. That night should’ve been our night. That was the night the stars aligned. Had he not been lying to you, we’d have taken it and made the last ten years ours. We’ll never get that time back, little angel. He’s going to pay for that.”

I drag in a deep breath and hold him tighter. “Please. Let’s just go. We’re together now. We’ll get a restraining order, and he’ll—”

“Who the fuck is this, Clem? You hire security?” Craig wanders off the front porch and into the lawn as though he has no concept of the gun aimed toward him. I’m guessing this is because he’s drunk. I can smell the alcohol on the wind from here.

“Not security, asshole. You took something from me.”

Craig glances toward Abe. “What?” His words are slurred.

I see now why they call Abe, Viper. He’s calm, steady, and ready to strike.

“You heard me, asshole. You fucked with this woman’s life, so you fucked with mine.”

Craig’s eyes widen, and he glances toward me. “You cheated on me? Were you cheating on me, Clem?” The sound of pain in his voice when he asks surprises me, especially considering his track record.

“No, she didn’t fuckin’ cheat on you. You hold that prize. But I gotta say,” Viper kicks the dirt, and a cloud of dust has Craig coughing, “I wish she would have because I’d have shown her right then what a real man feels like.”

Craig charges at Viper. He balls his fists and pumps wildly, aiming for his jaw.

I scream, but it’s over in a blink of an eye as Viper knocks him off his feet and pins him to the ground.

“Okay… Jesus fucking Christ. Get the fuck off me, dude,” Craig spits as Viper leans against his throat.

“Apologize to her.” Viper lifts Craig up off the ground like a sack of potatoes and drags him toward me. It’s not until now that I realize the size difference between them. I never realized how small Craig actually is.

This shouldn’t turn me on, but it does. I guess I can add this to things I need to talk to a therapist about. Why do I love seeing this big, strong man take over? Why do I love watching him be rough and manhandle this jerk that’s ruined my life? I’m not a violent person. I swear.

Craig leans forward. “I’m not apologizing to that bitch. She’s a—”

Viper knees him in the stomach. “That doesn’t sound like an apology, Craig.”

“Fuck!” he coughs. “I’m sorry, Clem. I fucked this up. I know I fucked this up.”

I don’t expect it to sound as good as it does considering Viper is forcing an apology from him, but still, it does. I’ve listened to years of excuses, lies, and bullshit.

It sounds so good to hear him say that he’s wrong.

Viper grabs rope from the side saddle of his bike and ties Craig to the bed of his truck before running back to grab some duct tape. I suppose it should worry me that this man keeps duct tape and rope in the side saddle of his bike, but I roll with it.

Whatever version of Abe is around, I know he’ll protect me. I know I’m his top priority.

“My buddy Ox’ll come take care of this for us,” he says, kissing my head. “I’m gonna run down to that shed back there and see if you have anything to fix that window for the night. You go inside and run a bath. I’ll be in shortly.” He kisses me again and holds me in his orbit for a long moment before letting go.

I could stand like this forever, basking in his warmth. How? How did I meet a man for an hour ten years ago and know that he was the one? It would be a fairytale if not for all the ass-kicking going on tonight. Then again, I guess even fairytales have dragons.

I smile and tuck behind the truck, away from Craig for another kiss. I savor the sweat on his lips as his rough hand brushes against the back of my neck.

He smacks my ass playfully. “Get inside, little angel, and draw us a shower. I’ll meet you in five.”

My thighs ache with need.

I could ask questions, but I don’t. I knew the second I met Abe that he was the kind of guy that needs to take control. He needs to know he’s needed. In return, he offers so much.

I tip up onto my toes and kiss him one last time before turning away and doing exactly as he’s asked.

Chapter Eight

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