Page 153 of Daddy Sees Snakes

A delicate silver chain holds a glorious sapphire, the color of his eyes, surrounded by a halo of diamonds. "It's not much, but I wanted you to have something as beautiful as you are, baby.”

I can't help but gasp at its beauty, and I'm at a loss for words.

Viper's cheeks redden ever so slightly under my gaze, a rare sight that makes my heart swell even more.

“It’s not the only thing I got you, though,” Viper hands me a smoothie and I couldn’t be happier.

I’ve been craving one so bad these last few days.

The cool sweetness of the smoothie slides down my throat as I take another sip, savoring the blend of tropical fruits.

Viper sits beside my hospital bed, his muscular frame somehow making the tiny plastic chair look even smaller.

The smoothie was a sweet gesture and so is the necklace, one of many he's made since I've been here.

"So, how are things going at the club and the house?" I ask, trying to sound casual despite the underlying anxiety gnawing at me.

Viper's dark eyes meet mine, a hint of amusement dancing in them. "Everything's running smoothly. The girls have really stepped up in your absence."

I nod, but the worry persists. "Viper, what does all this mean for me? Am I... am I getting fired?"

The words tumble out before I can stop them, my fingers tightening around the smoothie cup.

To my surprise, Viper lets out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Fired? Is that what you're worried about, Iris?"

I feel my cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and relief washing over me. "Well, yeah. I mean, I can't go back to managing the club or house right now, can I? A pregnant woman isn’t exactly great for business." I gesture vaguely at my still-flat stomach, where our child is growing.

Viper leans forward, his tattooed arms resting on his knees. "Actually, I've been thinking. It might be a better idea for you to start working at your studio."

My heart skips a beat. "My studio? You mean Ashton Designs?"

He nods, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Exactly. It's time you got back to what you love. I didn’t get the place for you to let it sit there empty."

Excitement bubbles up inside me, but doubt quickly follows. "Really? But what about the house and the club? Who's going to handle everything?"

Viper's expression turns thoughtful. "I've been considering some changes. I'm thinking about having Rosa handle the Desire House, and Candy take over at Satin Dreams. Candy would step into Rosa's current role, and Rosa would take over your responsibilities."

As he speaks, I can feel my pulse quickening.

The idea of returning to tattooing, of feeling the buzz of the machine in my hand and watching my art come to life on someone's skin—it's intoxicating. I want it so badly I can almost taste it.

"That... that actually sounds perfect," I say, unable to keep the grin off my face. "But are you sure? I mean, it's a big change."

Viper reaches out and takes my free hand in his, his touch sending a familiar warmth through me. "I'm sure, Iris. You're talented as hell, and it's time the world saw that. Plus," he adds with a wink, "I think being a badass tattoo artist might be slightly more kid-friendly than your current gig."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. "God, I can't wait to get back to it. I've missed it so much."

As I picture myself back in my studio, surrounded by the hum of machines and the scent of ink, I realize just how much I've been craving this.

It's not just a job—it's a part of who I am, a way to express myself that I've been missing.

"Thank you, Viper," I say softly, giving his hand a squeeze. "This means more to me than you know."

He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. "You deserve it, Iris. And I can't wait to see what you create."

Viper leans in, his presence both comforting and electrifying. "Hey, look at me," he says, his voice low and reassuring. "We've got plenty of time to figure all that out. You focus on resting and setting up your studio. The rest will fall into place."

I take a deep breath, trying to let his confidence wash over me. "You really think so?"

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