Page 155 of Daddy Sees Snakes

This isn't how I wanted things to go, not at all.

"You fake whore!" Allegra snarls, her words slicing through me like a knife.

I recoil, stunned by the venom in her voice.

My best friend, the girl I've shared so much with, is looking at me like I'm her worst enemy.

The sting of her words brings tears to my eyes, but I blink them back furiously.

Viper's reaction is immediate.

He stands up, his tall frame imposing as he faces his daughter.

The muscles in his tattooed arms flex, a physical manifestation of his restraint.

"Apologize," he demands, his voice low and dangerous. "Now. Iris has been through more than enough over the last few days. You have no right to speak to her like that."

I want to shrink into the hospital bed, to disappear from this nightmare of a situation.

But I force myself to sit up straighter, meeting Allegra's gaze.

I won't let her see how much her words have hurt me.

Allegra's lip curls in disgust. "Go fuck yourselves," she spits out.

Her eyes dart between us, a cruel smile spreading across her face. "Maybe I'll go fuck your ex since you're fucking my dad."

My breath catches in my throat.

The thought of Allegra with Lyon makes me feel sick, and not just because of our history.

To my surprise, Viper lets out a bark of laughter. "That'll be hard to do since I shot apart his dick," he says, his tone casual as if he's discussing the weather. "He's a monk now."

My eyes widen in shock.

I stare at Viper, trying to process what he just said.

"Are you serious?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Deadly.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Viper

The fireplace crackles, casting dancing shadows across Iris's face as she curls up next to me on the couch.

The warm glow softens her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheek and the shine in her dark eyes.

I take a sip of hot chocolate, savoring the rich sweetness on my tongue.

It's a small luxury, but one I never thought I'd experience again during those long years behind bars.

"This is nice," Iris murmurs, her head resting against my shoulder.

Her straight black hair falls like a curtain, tickling my arm. "I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed Christmas Eve."

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer.

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