Page 159 of Daddy Sees Snakes

"Viper," she says, her voice tight, "I don't like this. The risk... it's too high."

Her hand unconsciously moves to her belly, still flat but harboring our growing child. "What if something goes wrong? What if you get caught up in something and they take you away again?"

I lean forward, my elbows on my knees, and meet her gaze unflinchingly. "Nothing bad is going to happen to me, Iris. Notever again." My voice is low, intense, carrying the weight of my conviction. "I've learned from my mistakes. I know who to trust now, and more importantly, who not to."

Iris shakes her head, her straight black hair swaying with the movement. "You can't promise that, Viper. No one can."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the delicate bones beneath her tattooed skin. "I can promise you this: everything I do, every move I make, it's all for us. For you, for the baby, for Allegra. I won't let anything jeopardize what we have."

She doesn't pull away, but I can feel the tension in her fingers. "I'm just... I'm scared, Viper," she confesses, her usual cocky demeanor cracking slightly. "For the first time in a long time, it feels like my life is actually put together. I have you, the baby, a real future ahead of me." Her eyes, usually so bold and challenging, are now vulnerable, searching mine. "I can't lose that. I can't lose you."

The raw honesty in her words hits me like a punch to the gut.

I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her, feeling her warmth against my chest. "You won't lose me, Iris. I swear it." I press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair. "What we have, it's not just some fling. It's everything to me. You, the baby, the life we're building... I'll do whatever it takes to protect that."

I pull back slightly, a mischievous glint in my eye. "Speaking of our life together, how about we start celebrating early? Would you like to open one of your presents tonight?"

Iris's face lights up, her earlier worry melting away. "Really? I mean, yes, absolutely!"

I can't help but grin at her enthusiasm.

It's moments like these that remind me how young she is, how full of life despite everything she's been through.

I stand up, my muscles pleasantly sore from our cozy position on the couch, and make my way to the Christmas tree.

The lights twinkle, casting a warm glow across the room. I pick up a small, square box, wrapped in shimmering silver paper with a deep purple ribbon.

"Here," I say, handing it to her as I settle back onto the couch. "This one's special."

Iris takes the box, her fingers tracing the edges with a delicate touch that belies her usual boldness.

She tugs at the ribbon, letting it fall away before carefully peeling back the paper.

I watch her face, savoring every micro-expression of anticipation and excitement.

She lifts the lid of the box, revealing a single key nestled on a bed of velvet.

Her brow furrows for a moment in confusion before her eyes widen in realization.

"Iris," I say, my voice low and earnest, "I want you to live here with me. Full time. Move in, make this place ours."

For a moment, she's speechless, which is a rarity for my tattooed firecracker.

Then she launches herself at me, her lips crashing against mine in a passionate kiss.

I return it with equal fervor, tasting the lingering sweetness of hot chocolate on her tongue.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, I cup her face in my hands. "We'll get through to Allegra, too. It'll take time, but we'll make it work. All of us, together."

Iris nods.

She stands up suddenly, placing her mug on the coffee table. "Your turn," she says with a grin, extending her hand to me. "I've got a surprise for you, too."

I raise an eyebrow but take her hand, letting her lead me out of the living room.

We walk down the hallway, our footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, until we reach my study.

Iris flicks on the light, illuminating the room in a soft glow.

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