Page 14 of Daddy Sees Snakes

I always pick the wrong men.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Viper's words echo in my head. "You're just a broken doll that keeps falling back into the same patterns, and no matter how hard you try, or how many times you break, you'll never escape it.”

I flinch at the memory, bile rising in my throat.

He cut right to the heart of it, saw through me like glass.

Because he's right. Lyon was just the latest in a long line of toxic relationships.

Men who started out charming and alluring, only to twist into something ugly and cruel.

There was Jake, my high school boyfriend, who isolated me from my friends and flew into jealous rages over the tiniest perceived slights.

Then Zak in college, a brooding artist who alternated between worshiping me and tearing me down, chipping away at my self-esteem.

And who could forget Rafe—he had the bad boy routine down pat, all leather and tattoos and danger.

I thought I could handle him, until the night he backhanded me across the face for talking to another man.

The pattern is painfully clear.

I'm drawn to broken men, attracted to their darkness like a moth to a flame.

Except I'm the one who always ends up burned.

You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now.

But here I am again, jobless and alone, doubting my own judgment.

I take a deep breath, forcing down the lump in my throat.

No, I refuse to be a victim anymore.

I survived all of them, and I'll survive this too.

I'm done waiting for a man to save me or complete me.

It's time I save myself.

With newfound determination, I smooth down my dress and grab my purse.

I have an interview at Satin Dreams tonight, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let Lyon or Viper or any of the other assholes hold me back.

This is my chance for a fresh start.

I may have a weakness for bad boys, but I'm no delicate flower.

There's steel beneath my skin, forged by the fires I've walked through.

I've picked myself up and started over more times than I can count.

This time will be no different.

I make a beeline for the stack of lingerie sets piled on the bed.

Rosa hooked me up with these for my interview at Satin Dreams tonight.

Rifling through the delicate lace and satin, I settle on a provocative black number.

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