Page 82 of Knot So Sweet

Ghost’s expression shifted, confusion etched into his features. "No. Fuck no. I’m not letting you go, princess."

Viper growled, "Yes, you are. We’ve been through this, Ghost. This is her fucking choice, and if she says she’s leaving, you’re going to let her."

Ghost's eyes darkened, and he growled back, "Even if she isn’t safe out there, Vipe?"

My heart hammered in my chest. He was going to spill everything about what happened yesterday.

"Ghost," I breathed, warning him with my gaze, but he was unrelenting.

His eyes narrowed on me. "No. If you’re leaving, then I’m telling him exactly what you’re walking into.Alone."

My gaze flicked to Viper, who was studying me intently. "Someone better start talking. Now," he demanded, his voice lowand edged with urgency, the tension thickening the air around us.

The low purr of Creed’s pickup truck rumbled to life outside, followed by the unmistakable squeal of brakes. He was here, and I didn’t know what to do. Panic bubbled in my chest, mixing with the suffocating heaviness of the moment.

Slowly I stood, and both alphas shifted as well. Viper standing, his posture taut, and Ghost crossing the small kitchen toward me, his expression darkening.

"Travis, Jordan, and Dare came into the Den yesterday. Apparently, not only does the Den owe the Hounds money," Ghost paused, and my eyes pricked with tears.

I didn’t want Viper knowing what those asshole Hounds did to me all those years ago. It was too fucking embarrassing, too painful to relive.

"Ghost, please, don't," I begged, the words scraping against my throat like glass.

Viper crossed the room and took my face in his palms, forcing me to look up at him. "Whatever it is that happened between you and Titus’s son's pack is your business.For now.My only question is this. Are you safe there, Candice? Tell me you are, and I'll let you go. Tell me you'll be okay, and I'll make sure Ghost doesn’t follow you."

"The fuck?" Ghost bellowed. "You can't fucking control me, Viper!"

"Yes, the fuck I can, Ghost. I am your alpha and the president of this club, and you will obey me!" Viper barked, his voice echoing in the small kitchen like a thunderclap.

Ghost bowed his head, his free hand clenching at his side, the fight draining from him.

A knock sounded at the door, but none of us moved. The moment felt suspended in time, heavy with unsaid words and unresolved feelings.

Viper turned back to me. "I take it one of those assholes needs to pay, don’t they?"

I licked my lips and slowly nodded. His jaw clenched. "Fuck, Candi. Letting you walk out this door right now is the hardest fucking thing you could ever ask of me. So I’ll ask you once more. Are you staying or going?"

I glanced at Ghost to see a hopeful look in his eyes, a desperation that twisted my heart.

"I have to go," I whispered, each word laced with pain.

He slowly released me and took a step back, the space between us feeling like an abyss. "I'll send Pixie and Ghost by for opening night. I spoke with Pix yesterday. He said Hux will be ready to open the Den Friday night. Until then, I'll make sure Ghost gives you the space you need. But Candice, I swear to God, if something..Anything…happens between now and then, you call me. You let me fucking protect you."

I nodded as tears pooled in my eyes again.

"Fuck this," Ghost growled as he took off out the back door, the door slamming behind him with a finality that echoed in my chest.

Creed knocked again just as my phone from the tile floor began to buzz. I snatched it up from the floor and headed toward the front door, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my chest.

"Candice," Viper called out. I stopped just as I reached the threshold into the living room. "You call me if you need anything. Promise me."

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, every part of me wanting to say more, to tell him how much I would miss this place, how much I would miss him.

"I promise," I managed, my voice trembling.

And with that, I walked away from the Steel Serpents MC president, my heart cradled in his hands.

We rode in silence, the steady rumble of Creed’s truck engine the only sound cutting through the thick atmosphere between us. Creed stole sideways glances at me, concern etched on his features, but I couldn’t meet his gaze.

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