Page 9 of Daddy Sees Snakes

My ticket out of this nightmare.

I just pray I’m not jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire.

But hell, it can’t possibly be worse than this.

With one last look around the shop, I shoulder my bag and head for the door.

Mysterious Ink and Lyon are officially in my rearview.

It’s time to see what the future holds.

I push the door open, blinking against the harsh Montana weather.

As I head for my car, I can't help but wonder if I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.

As I climb into my car, my tires squeal as I peel out of the parking lot, my heart pounding in my chest.

I never look back at Mysterious Ink, the place where my naive dreams of true love and an easy life shattered like so much broken glass.

The sun’s starting to set as I drive away, casting long shadows over the city.

It’s a new beginning, a chance to start fresh.

And I take comfort in the fact that, no matter what the future holds, it can’t possibly be as crazy as the past few weeks have been.

As I merge onto the freeway, I turn up the radio and sing along to the defiant anthem blaring through the speakers.

Tears of rage and frustration prick at the corners of my eyes but I blink them back fiercely.

I can’t believe I’m fucking crying right now.

I know Lyon…if I didn’t quit he was going to fire me.

God, I can’t believe how this day has gone.

I pull up to Allegra's house, gravel crunching under the tires as I park my beat-up Honda out front.

Grabbing my duffel bag of tattooing supplies and a garbage bag with my clothes, I head for the front door, anxiety and anger still coursing through my veins.

As I reach for the doorknob, it swings open.

I’m greeted by a sight that makes my heart skip a beat—Viper. All 6'4" of dark, dangerous, sinfully sexy billionaire, filling the doorway with his broad shoulders and piercing gaze.

“Iris.” His deep voice rolls over me like honey. “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon.”

I brush past him, not trusting myself to speak without either screaming or bursting into tears.

I drop my bags on the floor with a thud.

“Yeah, well, plans change,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “I quit the tattoo shop.”

Viper's jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “You did what?!”

I collapse onto the couch, suddenly exhausted. “You heard me. That asshole was going to fire me if I didn’t quit. Hell, he already took my apartment, everything I had in there.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Guess he figured if he couldn't have me, he’d make damn sure I had nothing.”

Viper crosses the room in two long strides, crouching down in front of me.

He takes my hands in his, his touch gentle but firm. “Iris, look at me.”

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