Page 51 of Daddy Sees Snakes

Rosa is behind the bar, and she eyes me as I enter. "You're an asshole, you know that?"

"What? For taking what's mine?"

"For making her feel like a whore."

"Fuck you. She enjoyed every goddamn second of it. Don't pretend otherwise."

"That's not the point, Viper. It was her last performance. Her final show."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"She's done. She quit. She said she couldn't do this shit anymore."

"Like hell she's quitting."

"It's true. She's leaving."

"Where the fuck is she going?"

"She wants to open her own parlor." Rosa’s gaze challenges me. "Did you even know she's a tattoo artist? She saved up enough cash to lease one and get new equipment. She seems really passionate about it."

"Of course, I knew that. But it's no reason for her to quit." Sure, she's managing the Desire House, but I thought she could handle performing for the customers too.

Maybe it's too much.

"Did you know she was thinking of opening a place?"

"No."

"She's leaving, Viper. And now, she's not sure if she even wants to manage the girls' house."

"Bullshit. This is all bullshit, Rosa," I growl in a warning tone.

"No. You know it's true. You and Lyon. It was always too much."

"Lyon and I are done. We're not part of the same crew anymore. You know that."

"But the two of you will never be done. You'll always have a rivalry, a competition. She can't take it anymore. She's tired of being treated like a prize."

"Is that what she told you?"

"It's what I've seen. And tonight, you just confirmed it."

I shake my head, not wanting to believe a word coming out of Rosa's mouth. "I'm taking her home."

"Yeah. You do that."

"Thanks for the chat, Rosa."

"Anytime." She rolls her eyes.

"Don't act like a bitch," I warn. "We both know it doesn't suit you."

"Fuck you, Viper."

"Love you too, Rosa."

"She's not a prize, you know. She's a living, human being."

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