Page 24 of Daddy Sees Snakes

She presses herself against me, her lips hungry and insistent.

But my mind is still stuck on Iris.

Maybe if things were different, if she didn't hate me so much, we could have something.

But the chances of that are slim to none.

I'm a selfish bastard.

A degenerate criminal.

A vicious monster.

Iris deserves better than that.

"Don't worry, sugar," I whisper, my voice thick with regret. "I'll make it worth your while."

With that, I give in, letting the music and the moment wash over me.

The guilt, the regret, the longing.

I pull out my wallet, handing the blonde a few hundred dollar bills.

"Take it all," I rasp, my voice rough with emotion. "And don't stop until the music does."

"Whatever you say, Viper," she murmurs, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

As the lights dim and the music grows louder, I can't help but think of Iris.

Her sweet smile, her gentle touch.

I can't have her.

Not now, but I can have this.

For one night, I can pretend.

I can lose myself in a stranger's arms and pretend that the woman I want is mine.

That, in some twisted way, this is all for her.

That, despite my best efforts, I love her.

And that's the real crime.

That's the real tragedy.

That, even though I'm the villain of this story, the real monster is the man who's already stolen her heart.

The man she used to be in love with.

Lyon.

The man who, after tonight, will no longer be a threat.

He'll be dead.

And Iris will never know how I truly feel.

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