Page 146 of Daddy Sees Snakes

He nods slowly, understanding the weight of what I'm saying. "Okay," he agrees. "If that's what you want, we'll do it."

His support should comfort me, but I can't shake the dread. "What if she hates me? What if I mess this up? God, Viper, I'm so scared."

Viper's tattooed arms wrap around me gently, mindful of my injuries. "I love you, Iris," he says fiercely. "We'll figure this out. I promise."

Despite everything, a warmth spreads through me at his words.

"I love you too," I whisper back, clinging to him like a lifeline in the storm of my emotions.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Viper

The world stops spinning for a moment as I stare at Iris, her dark eyes wide and vulnerable.

Pregnant.

The word echoes in my mind, ricocheting off the walls of my skull like a stray bullet.

I blink, trying to process this bombshell that's been dropped on us.

"Viper? Did you hear me?" Iris' voice is soft, hesitant.

Her tattooed hand reaches out to touch my arm, and I realize I've been standing here like a statue for God knows how long.

I clear my throat, forcing a smile onto my face. "Yeah, baby. How are you feeling today?"

Iris has been in the hospital for a day now, and will likely be here for a few more.

At least now she has a private room.

Iris swallows hard, “I’m achy, but I’m okay.”

I can see the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty.

She needs me to be strong right now.

"Be honest with me baby,"

Iris bites her lower lip, a habit I've come to recognize when she's nervous. "I'm... I don't know. Scared, I guess. Shocked. I never thought I’d be a mother..."

I pull her into my arms, feeling her body tremble against mine.

My mind is racing, thoughts colliding like cars in a pile-up.

A baby.

Christ, I'm going to be a father again.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I struggle to breathe.

Maybe this is my do-over, my chance to be a good father and not a fuck up like I was with Allegra.

I've got to be her rock right now.

I stroke her silky black hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo. "It's okay to be scared, baby. I'm here. We're in this together."

Iris pulls back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Are you... are you okay with this? I know we never talked about kids, and with everything that's happened..."

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