Page 120 of Daddy Sees Snakes

The guilt.

The need.

All of it.

But, I'm not.

I decide it's probably better it I give us some space, so I exit the building.

As I'm walking toward the car, I see Rosa, the assistant manager.

Her eyes are red, and she looks like she's been crying.

"Rosa," I say, and when her head turns, she looks scared.

"Hey, Boss," she says, her voice breaking.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"I'm fine," she nods, motioning to the club. "Iris is inside."

"I know, I just saw her. But, you don't look okay," I say.

"I said, I'm fine," Rosa says, her voice cracking.

"Okay, fine. You're fine. If you're fine, why do you look so upset?" I ask.

"I don't. It's just...stuff," she mutters. "Go find Iris."

"She's busy," I say.

"Great," Rosa says.

"I'm not trying to pry. I'm only trying to help. Tell me what's wrong," I urge her.

"Viper, can you not? It isn't your place and I wish you'd just leave me alone," she says.

I don't know what makes me bring up my daughter, but I have a gut feeling. "Are you upset about Allegra?"

"Yes," Rosa cries, and the sound of her voice breaks me. "Did you know about her and Jaxon?"

"Yeah, unfortunately," I sigh. "Were you two…"

"I can't believe he did this to me," Rosa's voice cracks again. "We weren't officially together, but he was making promises… acting like I'd be ol' lady material."

"Men like him don't settle down." I hate to be the person to tell her this, but she needs someone to be the voice of reason.

When my eyes meet hers, I don't miss the sadness in them. "I know because I used to be like him. I was horrible to Allegra's mother. Sure, we were married, but it didn't mean I was a good man."

"I don't want to have to tell you this shit, but someone has to be on your side." I grab her hand and give it a squeeze, trying to be a good friend to her.

The door to the club opens, Iris is standing there, eyes locked on my hand on Rosa's.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Iris

The dim lights of Desire House blur as my head pulsates with the same rhythm of my heartbeat.

---