Page 158 of Daddy Sees Snakes

She snuggles closer, intertwining her fingers with mine. "Merry Christmas, Viper."

As the movie plays on, I allow myself to imagine a future filled with more moments like this.

Quiet evenings by the fire, lazy Sunday mornings in bed, family dinners with Allegra.

It's a dangerous thing, hope.

But looking at Iris, feeling the steady beat of her heart against my chest, I can't help but believe that maybe, just maybe, I've found my shot at redemption.

The fire continues to crackle, casting its warm glow over us.

Iris shifts slightly, her dark eyes turning to meet mine.

The flickering firelight dances across her face, highlighting the delicate tattoos that adorn her skin.

She bites her lower lip, a telltale sign that something's on her mind.

"Viper," she says, her voice soft but tinged with concern, "have you heard anything from Allegra? I've been trying to reach her, but..." She trails off, her brow furrowing.

I feel a pang in my chest at the mention of my daughter.

The rift between us is still raw, a constant reminder of my past mistakes.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.

"No, I haven't," I admit, my voice gruff. "She's gone radio silent on me too."

Iris's eyes widen slightly. "But how can you be sure she's okay? I mean, with her blocking my number and all..."

I hesitate for a moment, weighing my words carefully.

There's so much I haven't told Iris about my past, about the world I used to inhabit.

But as I look into her eyes, filled with genuine concern for my daughter, I know it's time to let her in a little more.

"She went back to college early," I say, my fingers absently tracing the tattoos on my forearm. "I know she's safe."

Iris tilts her head, curiosity piqued. "How do you know that? Did she tell you?"

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Not exactly. I've got someone watching over her, keeping her safe."

"Someone watching her?" Iris echoes, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath, knowing that once I start down this path, there's no turning back. "Remember when I told you about my time inside?" I ask, my voice low. Iris nods, her eyes never leaving mine. "Well, since getting out, I've been... reconnecting with some old contacts. Getting back to my roots, you could say."

I watch as understanding dawns in Iris's eyes.

She doesn't pull away, but I can see the wheels turning in her mind. "So, you're saying you've got someone from your old life keeping tabs on Allegra?"

"Something like that," I confirm, my voice steady despite the tension I feel building inside me. "It's not just about Allegra, though. I'm building something here, Iris. Something that'll keep us all safe, provide for our future."

I pause, searching her face for any sign of fear or judgment.

But all I see is the same fierce, enigmatic woman who's captured my heart. "I know it's not exactly conventional," I continue, "but it's a world I know how to navigate. A world where I can make sure nothing bad ever happens to the people I care about."

Iris's face clouds over, her dark eyes flashing with a mix of emotions I can't quite pin down.

She sets her mug down on the coffee table with a soft clink, the sound unnervingly loud in the sudden silence.

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