Page 35 of Daddy Sees Snakes

"We should get out of here," I murmur, reluctantly releasing her and stepping back. "The club's ours until closing, and then we'll head to my place. Sound good?"

"Yeah, okay."

"I'll go wait for you outside." She nods, and I leave her alone, not wanting to risk being tempted by her again.

As I head for the front door, I catch Rosa’s eye. "Well, well, well. Looks like you two are getting cozy."

"Don't start," I growl.

"I'm just saying, if you break her heart, you'll have to answer to me. And believe me, you don't want that."

"Iris is mine, Rosa. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means keeping her at arm's length."

"Is that what you really want? To keep her at arm's length?"

"That's the plan."

She laughs. "And how's that working out for you, boss man?"

"Not so great," I admit, running a hand through my hair. "But I have to do what's best for her. For both of us."

"You're a fucking idiot."

"Excuse me?"

"She wants you. It's obvious."

"No." I shake my head, rejecting the idea.

"Yes, Viper. Trust me, I'm a woman. I know what I'm talking about. Now, stop being such a stubborn ass and claim her. Because if you don't, someone else will."

I narrow my eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She nods her head to a man approaching. Lyon.

"Shit."

"Yeah. So, you'd better do something about that."

"Stay with her."

"Of course." Lyon is on a collision course for me, and I meet him halfway.

"You bought my fucking club!"

"Oh, you seem to have forgotten, the club was never yours. It's mine, Lyon. What are you going to do about it?"

"You can't do that. The Crimson Reapers are in charge here. You can't just buy the place out from under us."

"Watch me," I sneer, shoving him back. He stumbles, but quickly regains his balance.

"You're not going to get away with this, Viper. Not here. This is my territory."

"Your territory?" I scoff. "It's about to bemyfucking territory."

"Over my dead body," Lyon growls, and launches himself at me.

I easily side-step his attack and send him crashing into the bar.

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