Page 140 of Daddy Sees Snakes

Not like it was intentional.

I never meant for this to happen with Iris.

Never.

I can't fix the past, and I can't change the future, but if Allegra comes home, maybe I can stop things from getting worse.

Fuck this.

Rosa's phone rings and out of nowhere she's panicked. "What? I'm on my way!"

She looks over at me, "Viper, come on. Someone attacked Iris at the club."

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Iris

My head throbs as I blink open my eyes, the world swimming into focus.

Candy's face hovers above me, her blue eyes wide with panic.

A soft blanket is draped over my body, and I realize I'm lying on the cold floor at Satin Dreams.

"Oh thank God, you're awake!" Candy exclaims, her voice shrill with worry. "Are you okay, Iris? What happened?"

I try to push myself up, but pain lances through my body.

Every movement sends shockwaves of agony rippling outward. "I...I don't know," I stammer, my voice raspy.

My throat feels raw, like I've been screaming. "Why am I on the floor?"

Candy's perfectly plucked brows furrow as she gently presses a hand to my shoulder, easing me back down. "Don't try to move, honey. I found you like this when I came in for my shift. You were just...lying here."

Panic claws its way up my throat as I take in my surroundings.

Candy doesn't look convinced. "I’m going to call Viper. He'll want to know?—"

"No!" The word bursts out of me with surprising force. Candy recoils slightly, startled by my vehemence. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "I mean...not yet. Let's just...give me a minute to get my bearings, okay?"

She nods reluctantly. "Okay, but if you're not feeling better in a few minutes, I'm calling him. Deal?"

I manage a weak smile. "Deal."

A chill runs down my spine as I realize how vulnerable I am.

"Candy," I say hesitantly. "Did you...did you see anyone else when you came in? Or notice anything strange?"

She shakes her head. "No, the club was empty. I just found you here on the floor. Bloody, clothes ripped…"

As Candy settles in beside me, I close my eyes and try to focus.

To push past the fear and pain and reach for the memories that seem just out of reach.

But all I get are flashes—the sound of a door opening, the feeling of hands on my skin, a voice that sends a chill down my spine.

My eyes fly open, my heart racing.

"Lyon," I whisper, the name falling from my lips like a curse.

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