Page 20 of Knot So Sweet

Pixie chuckled softly. "I like to think of myself as the voice of reason around here. Someone’s gotta be, right?"

"And you’re okay with that? Playing peacekeeper between a bunch of alphas with massive egos?"

"Someone’s gotta do it," Pixie repeated with a grin, letting the heavy conversation turn lighter. I was grateful for the shift. "Besides, I’ve been with the Steel Serpents long enough to knowwhen to push and when to pull back. It’s all about balance, Candi. You’ll learn that if you stick around."

"Not sure I plan on sticking around," I replied, my tone guarded.

Pixie just smiled knowingly. "We’ll see about that." But he didn't say it in a challenging way. It was more like he had additional information then I did and he was waiting for me to figure out what he already knew.

What was he wanting me to figure out?

I wasn't sure, but as we walked, his presence was a calming influence. He spoke with an easy charm that made me lower my guard, if only slightly.

"So, you’re here to talk to Viper about The Den?" he asked, glancing over at me.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice steadier now. "I need to have a discussion with him about upgrading the security systems. The Den needs to be up to code before it reopens."

Pixie nodded thoughtfully. "Viper’s a straight shooter. If you’re clear about what you want, and you’re not afraid to stand by it, he’ll respect you for it. Hell, he might even admire it."

There was an undercurrent in his words that made me pause. Was Pixie talking about more than just this conversation with Viper? The idea settled into my thoughts, leaving me wondering if Viper would see through me the way Pixie seemed to.

"And what if what I want doesn’t line up with what he wants?" I asked quietly, though my question carried weight.

Pixie’s gaze met mine, steady and knowing. "Then you stand your ground and make him see it your way. This club, these alphas—they respect strength, but it’s not just about muscle. It’s about knowing who you are and what you’re worth. Viper gets that better than most."

The way he spoke made it clear—this wasn’t just advice on how to deal with working with the club president; it was aboutsomething deeper, more personal. Pixie was telling me to be unafraid of what I wanted, even if what I craved was Viper himself.

As we approached the president's office, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. Pixie’s words echoed in my mind, encouraging me to reach for what I desired without hesitation.

"Thanks, Pixie," I said, offering him a small, appreciative smile as he opened the door for me.

"Anytime," he replied, his eyes twinkling with a knowing warmth. "Good luck in there, Candi. And remember—don’t be afraid to push back. You have more sway here than you think."

My stomach churned with guilt. I had walked into this world thinking I knew who the bad guys were. But now? Now it felt more complicated. These weren’t just criminals—they were fathers and brothers, broken by a loss so deep it had scarred them all.

With one last deep breath, I stepped into the office.

Chapter 10

Candi

Viper sat at hisdesk, head bowed over a stack of papers, the quiet scratch of his pen the only sound in the room. The scent of leather and pine hung thick in the air as I steppedinto the Steel Serpent president's office, the door creaking shut behind me.

I was here for The Omega Den, nothing else,I reminded myself.

But who was I kidding? My traitorous cunt was already dripping and eager to satisfy the alpha in the room. Viper's gaze lifted, and as our eyes met, a predatory smile spread across his face, sending a shiver down my spine.

God damn him for being so sexy. He was older, rugged, and had a clean cut beard.

"Candice, what a pleasant surprise." His voice was a low, velvety purr. My stomach twisted at the sound of my full name.

I hated it—Candice.

It reminded me too much of my past, of the things I was trying to leave behind. I didn't want to be anything like the woman I was named after; my mother. But when Viper said it, something deep inside me, something undeniably omega, had clenched with an unwelcome ache.

Fuck. Get your shit together, Candi.

"Were you eager to see me, sweetheart?"

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