Page 96 of Daddy Sees Snakes

I shimmy into the emerald silk, letting Allegra zip me up as I twirl in front of the mirror.

"Damn, Iris," she breathes, raking her eyes over my reflection. "Forget heart attack...that dress is a one-way ticket to sin city."

I smirk at her and strike a pose. "That's the plan, babe. Now rifle through the bag and see if there’s anything you want towear. I’m sure you want to go break some hearts and cause some chaos."

It’s no time before we’re dropped off at the club by an Uber.

As we step into the club, the heavy bass thrums through my body like a second heartbeat.

Sweat-slicked bodies grind together on the dance floor, while laser lights slice through the haze of smoke.

The energy is electric, intoxicating, and I can already feel myself getting lost in the pulsing rhythm.

Allegra grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bar, her eyes glittering with mischief. "First round's on me," she shouts over the music, signaling the bartender. "Two tequila shots and keep 'em coming!"

I grin at her enthusiasm and we clink glasses, the salt and lime barely registering as the liquor burns down my throat.

The warmth spreads through my limbs, loosening my muscles and my inhibitions.

"Let's dance," I say, tugging Allegra toward the writhing mass of bodies.

We slip into the crowd, letting the beat guide our movements.

Hips swaying, arms raised, hair flying—we lose ourselves in the primal joy of it all.

But even as I lose myself in the moment, I can't shake the feeling that something—or someone—is missing.

Every time someone’s body accidentally brushes against me, I find myself wishing it was Viper.

Damn him for ruining me, for making it impossible to enjoy a night out without craving his touch, his scent, his everything.

It's like he's imprinted himself on my very soul.

I shake off the melancholy thoughts and force myself to focus on the here and now.

On Allegra's smiling face and the euphoric rush of the alcohol and adrenaline.

Tonight is about friendship and freedom, not pining over a man I can't have right now.

We dance for hours, until our feet ache and our throats are raw from singing along to every song.

When we finally stumble off the dance floor, flushed and giddy,

Allegra pulls me in for a sweaty hug.

"Best night ever," she declares, her words only slightly slurred. "I love you so much, Iris. Promise me we'll always have this, no matter what happens in our lives."

My heart clenches at her words.. "I promise, Allegra. Nothing and no one will ever come between us. You're my sister, my soulmate."

She beams at me, eyes glassy with emotion and inebriation. "Sisters forever," she says solemnly.

"Forever and always," I echo, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

We decide to hit up one more club before calling it a night, still riding the high of our epic girls' night out.

As we wait in line outside the velvet ropes, I take a moment to check my phone.

No texts or calls from Viper, not that I was expecting any.

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