Page 44 of Daddy Sees Snakes

This powerful, dangerous man I should stay far away from—but I'm drawn to him like a moth to flame, consequences be damned.

"Me too," I confess. "Even though I know this is a bad idea, I can't resist you." It's the truth. He's already burrowed under my skin.

Viper tilts my chin up, his eyes boring into mine with startling intensity. "You're mine now, Iris. There's no going back."

I know I should feel trapped, constrained by his declaration.

But instead a sense of rightness settles over me.

"I'm yours," I agree.

I wake up sometime later, alone in his bed.

The sheets are tangled around my naked body and the room is dark except for the dim glow of city lights filtering through the half-opened drapes.

I stretch lazily, a satisfied smile playing on my lips as memories of our passionate lovemaking flood my mind.

I've never felt more alive.

Reality slowly seeps in though—I have to call Allegra, make sure she's okay.

God, I’ve been a bad friend.

A bad friend who hasn’t even checked in with her after her father’s forcing her to go to college.

I scramble for my discarded clothes from last night, wincing as my sore muscles protest.

After quickly dressing, I fish my phone from my bag and dial her number.

She picks up after the second ring. "Iris! Are you okay? I've been so worried! I've barely heard from you since I left."

"I'm fine, girl. I just... needed some time to think." I don't tell her about last night's events with her father—I'll break it to her in person when the time is right. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, I guess. I miss you, though." Her voice falters. “I need some girl time, stat. The stupid kind of girl time where we eat food that’s bad for us and drink too much wine.”

"God, that would be fucking amazing!”

We really are overdue for some time, just the two of us.

"Anything new with you?" Allegra ventures.

God. What a fucking question.

Does Allegra know I was in fact here last night, and that her father ravaged me like a fine dessert in his bedroom?

I have no fucking idea, but I really hope not…then again, someone on the staff could have said something.

I let out a nervous laugh, wondering if I can pull off changing the subject. "Well… I got a new job."

"Really, where?" she asks, curiosity lacing her voice.

"Satin Dreams," I state, waiting for the penny to drop.

A silence follows my announcement and then?—

"You mean the strip club slash underground brothel?" Allegra’s shocked voice echoes in my ear and I wince slightly.

"That's the one," I confirm, unable to keep a note of bravado from creeping into my tone.

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