Page 31 of Daddy Sees Snakes

Viper's lips curve in a razor-sharp smirk. "Funny you should ask. See, I've been thinking about a career change. Figured it's time I became a respectable businessman."

Lyon scoffs. "You? Respectable? That's fucking rich."

"Shut it, Lyon," Jaxon snaps, never taking his eyes off Viper. "Go on."

"I want to buy Satin Dreams."

The bald statement hangs in the air.

My jaw drops.

He wants to...what?

Lyon leaps to his feet, face mottled with fury. "Are you out of your goddamn mind? I'm not selling!"

Jaxon silences him with a look. "Last I checked, little brother, Satin Dreams belongs to the club. To me. So how 'bout you let the grown-ups talk, yeah?"

As Lyon splutters in impotent rage, my mind reels.

Jaxon steeples his fingers, pinning Viper with a penetrating stare. "An interesting proposition. But I gotta ask...what's in it for me?"

Viper leans back, all coiled intensity. "I'll sweeten the pot. Got some old contacts, from back in the day. Heavy hitters. I'll set up some meetings, arrange some deals. Plus..." His gazedrifts to Lyon, and there's murder in his eyes. "I want his head on a fucking platter."

Fear lances through me, cold and sharp.

Lyon's face drains of color.

But Jaxon just laughs, rich and dark. "You don't ask for much, do you Viper?" He considers for a long moment, the tension stretching taut. "All right. You got yourself a deal, but my baby bro is my problem, not yours."

Relief crashes over me in a wave.

It's really happening.

Satin Dreams will now shift ownership to Viper, and that means I'll never have to answer to Lyon again.

I'm free of him.

But Viper's next words snatch the breath from my lungs.

"And Lyon? If you so much as look at Iris again, if you even think about laying a finger on her..." He leans in close, his voice a lethal purr. "Even your big brother won't be able to protect you. I'll rip you apart with my bare fucking hands."

Oh god.

The images that flood my mind are so vivid, so visceral.

Viper, all rippling muscle and coiled strength, pinning Lyon to the wall, choking the life from him.

Defending me, protecting me, claiming me.

Heat rushes through my veins, molten and hungry.

I can't tear my gaze from Viper, from the play of emotions across his rugged face.

Possession.

Fury.

Desire.

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