Page 114 of Daddy Sees Snakes

Allegra leaps to her feet, swaying slightly.

"Fine!" she snaps, glaring daggers at her father. "I'm out of here."

Before either of us can react, she's storming toward the door, snatching her purse on the way.

The slam echoes like a gunshot in the charged silence left behind.

I stare after her, my lips parted in shock. "Allegra, wait?—"

But it's too late.

She's already gone, tires screeching against the pavement as she peels out of the driveway.

My phone chimes with an incoming text a moment later.

Going over to Jaxon's. Sorry to dip out on you.

I exhale slowly, dragging a hand through my hair.

Part of me wants to race after her, make sure she's okay.

But the other part, the part that's acutely aware of Viper's heated presence behind me, knows I'm not going anywhere.

Not when the air practically vibrates with unresolved tension, a livewire just waiting for a spark.

I turn to face him, pulse thrumming in my ears.

Our eyes lock, and I feel that spark ignite into an inferno.

"Where did she go?" Viper demands, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.

I swallow hard, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "She texted to say sorry for bailing."

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I force it out anyway. "Didn't say where."

His eyes narrow, and for a moment I'm certain he sees right through me.

That he knows exactly where his wayward daughter ran off to.

But he doesn't press the issue, just takes a step closer, crowding into my space.

"I don't like it when you undermine me," he says softly, dangerously. "When you disrespect me in my own home."

My breath hitches, trapped in my lungs.

He's so close now I can feel the heat radiating off his body, smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

It makes my head spin, sets my nerve endings alight with a different kind of anticipation.

"Yeah, well, I don't like being this fucking horny all the time," I shoot back recklessly. In for a penny, in for a pound. "Knowing you're right there, but not being able to do a damn thing about it."

Viper goes preternaturally still, a jungle cat poised to strike.

His dark eyes glitter with banked hunger, with the promise of retribution.

Pleasure and pain inextricably entwined.

My heart pounds wildly against my ribcage, desire and trepidation warring for dominance.

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