Page 52 of Knot So Sweet

My father slammed Viper into the wall, knocking over one of the potted plants by the clubhouse steps. The crash of pottery shattering on the ground punctuated the rising tension, and I clenched my fists, my teeth grinding together in frustration.

"Damn it," I muttered. Irritation flared in my chest, threatening to boil over. I turned to Candi, gently pulling away from her. "Stay here," I ordered as I stalked across the parking lot toward the two men who had just ruined my first kiss with my mate.

Gears’ face was beet red with fury, his lip busted, and his right cheek already swelling from the punches. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen him like this. Not since Chaos died. He’d been spiraling—drinking too much, fighting too hard, throwing punches at anyone who pissed him off.

And now he was threatening Candi?

Enough was enough.

Chapter 23

Candi

Stay here?I scoffed, yea that wasn't going to happen. I arched a brow in challenge as I followed Ghost toward the oversized alphas, duking it out on the porch. There was no wayI was missing whatever shitshow was brewing between the Steel Serpents' Prez and VP.

I winced as Viper’s fist connected with Gears' cheek, sending the drunk alpha stumbling backward into a potted plant. It was painfully clear Gears was outmatched.

Before things could spiral any further, Ghost shot forward, grabbing his father's cut and yanking him back, like he was wrangling a wild animal.

"What the fuck is going on?" Ghost demanded, his voice tight with frustration as he shook his father slightly.

"Ask your fucking prez what the fuck happened today," Gears slurred. "We failed again!"

Ghost's chest deflated as his gaze flicked over to Viper. My mind was racing, questions swirling. What the hell had they failed?

I shifted my focus to Viper, who stood there, chest heaving slightly from exertion, but looking like he hadn’t taken a single hit.

It was unsettling—an eerie calm after the storm. He was composed, far too composed for someone fresh out of a fight. His dark eyes met mine, but the look in them wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t anger. He looked... guilty. A storm of pain and regret.

Guilty of what?

My stomach coiled into knots, anxiety pooling in my chest. I didn’t like seeing Viper like this, haunted by something I couldn’t name. I wanted to soothe that look off his face, to reach out and make it disappear.

Patience wasn’t my strong suit, and this tense silence was wearing thin. I couldn’t stay silent any longer.

"Failed what?" Taking a tentative step onto the porch, I barely had time to react before Gears’ hand landed roughly on my shoulder.

"This is your fault,bitch. If Viper wasn’t so distracted bypussy, we wouldn’t have failed!" Gears spat, his breath reeking of booze, the sour stench of liquor and rage rolling off him in waves. Spittle landed on my cheek, and the insult hit like a slap, his meaty fingers dug into my arm with bruising force.

Again.

That was it. I was done with this alphahole manhandling me like this. This time I didn't come unarmed. My fingers itched toward the knife I kept on me, and I was ready to gut him if he didn’t let go. But before I could even make the threat, both Ghost and Viper unleashed deep, primal growls—low and dangerous, vibrating in the air between us.

Viper moved like lightning. One second, Gears was towering over me, and the next, Viper had his hand wrapped around Gears' throat, his grip unyielding, like a vice.

"Let her go. Now." Viper’s voice was lethal, his calm gone, replaced with a deadly edge. "I don’t give a fuck if you’re my VP. You lay a hand on what’s mine again, and I will kill you." He tightened his grip for emphasis.

Gears choked, his face turning a dark purple as he gasped for air. His hand dropped from me like I was on fire, but Viper wasn’t finished. His grip only tightened, and I stood there, breath caught in my throat, as Gears’ knees buckled. His eyes bulged, panic settling in as he fought to breathe.

My chest pounded, each thump echoing the tension swirling around us, but Viper—he didn’t even break a sweat. His control was terrifying, the sheer dominance rolling off him in waves that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. When he finally released Gears, the alpha collapsed, gasping for air like a fish out of water. I would find it funny if it weren't for what Viper said playing on an endless loop in my head.

His.He’d said I washis.

And hell, if my body didn’t respond to that word like a drug. Slick pooled between my thighs, and I shifted uncomfortably, the ache building in a way that left me dizzy. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did that turn me on?

I didn't belong toanyone.

Viper stepped in front of me, blocking Gears from view, his back to me now. The wind picked up, carrying his scent—whiskey, leather, and something distinctly him—straight into my lungs, and I almost moaned at the way it filled my senses. It was intoxicating. Too much. Too good.

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