Page 30 of Viper

“Baby, please let me explain. I swear that wasn’t what it looked like. She came into my office and—”

“Let! Me! Go!” I scream at him.

Duke and Daisy hear the anger lacing my words and they charge forward growling. Viper quickly releases me. They might like Viper but when it comes to me, they will always protect me, no matter what. I reach down and rub their heads, calming them down.

“Hier,” I order. As I walk away, I can hear them moving swiftly behind me. Once I make it to the common room, I see there are a few more brothers in here and they’re all looking at me with sad eyes. I ignore everyone and keep heading for the door.

“Demon!” I call with my arm stretched out. Demon flies off the pool table and across the room, landing on my arm. I perch him on my shoulder and walk out the door.

“Cara!” Viper and Sara shout in unison. They’re both chasing behind me. When I make it to my truck, I open the back door and Duke and Daisy quickly jump in. Right as I grab the handle to my door, Viper’s arms are around me again. “Baby, please, don’t leave. Let me explain,” he pleads.

His voice sounds so broken right now but I couldn’t care less. I’m so angry I have to get away before I truly hurt someone. Never have I felt this kind of pain before and that has me reacting impulsively. I don’t think I will ever recover from this. I’ll never allow someone to get close again.

“Viper, let me go. Now.”

“Stop calling me Viper, baby. It’s just us right now.”

“There is no us. We’re done! Now, let me go before I open my back door.”

Viper sighs and releases me. “Cara. Please, let me—”

I don’t allow him to finish his sentence. I open my door and slam it in his face. I mash down on the gas, sending dirt flying from under my tires. I see Viper in my rearview mirror running after my truck, telling Luis not to open the gate. That makes me laugh. Did he forget I designed the entire security system? I don’t need Luis to do a damn thing.

I grab my phone from the cupholder and after a few taps, the gate opens for me. Luis’s hands shoot in the air in defense, and I make my way out the gate. I’m driving as fast as I can. I don’t trust Viper to not try and catch up with me. Once I have a good enough distance between me and the clubhouse, I pull over.

I open the glove compartment and grab the decoy plates I have hidden in here. I know that will be the first thing Sara does in trying to track me down. She doesn’t know about the plates, so she won’t be able to find me in that way or any other kind of way. I know how to disappear.

Once the plates are on, I get back in the truck and turn on the blocker that prevents someone from using my GPS to find me. Turning my phone on silent, I drop it into the cup holder and get back on the road.

I see a sign that says Orlando and take that exit and make my way there. My dad has a hotel in Orlando, and I won’t have to pay a single dime to stay there. After about forty-five minutes, I pull into the hotel parking lot. I skip valet and choose to park my truck myself. I’m not trusting a complete stranger in my truck.

Grabbing Duke and Daisy’s leashes, I clip them on their collars and Demon perches himself on Duke’s back. When I walk through the doors of the hotel, people shriek and quickly move out of my way. Everyone’s gaze is on my dogs, but I’m used to it. I know their size is intimidating.

I quickly make my way to the front desk and the girl behind the desk gives me a snooty look while rolling her eyes. She clearly doesn’t know who I am. I hope she changes that attitude fast. I’m so on edge, I might beat the crap out of her too.

“We have a dog size policy, ma’am. You and your twodogsaren’t going to able to stay here.”

That’s a lie if I ever heard one. I know my dad would never make such a policy because he loves Duke and Daisy. “I need to speak with your manager.” I’m not wasting my time on her. If she says the wrong thing, I’m liable to snap.

“You don’t need to speak to the manager. I just told you we have a policy against big dogs. Now leave before I call security.”

This bitch is trying my patience. “I’m going to give you three seconds to get the manager. If you don’t, I’m going to make you their personal chew toy.” Her eyes go wide in fear, and she scurries off for the office door. I wait for a few minutes. When the door finally opens, two security guards approach me from behind.

The girl has a smug grin on her face and the manager is right behind her. When he sees me, his eyes go big, and he looks down at the clerk in confusion. Reaching into my purse, I grab my ID and slam it down onto the counter. I read his badge and see his nameVinny Moretti.

“Mr. Moretti, do you know who I am?”

He gulps and nods his head. He looks down at my ID to confirm his thoughts and he sighs, shaking his head. Turning his attention to his clerk, he looks down at her in disappointment. “Grace, do you know who this is?” he asks her.

“No,” she answers snottily.

“This is Cara Romano, as in Mr. Romano’s daughter.”

Her eyes widen, and her mouth is opening and closing but no words come out. “How was I supposed to know that?”

“Maybe because of her eyes or maybe because there is a family portrait of Mr. Romano’s family in the employee breakroom,” he hisses.

“Mr. Moretti, I think you need to have a long discussion with Grace. It seems she thinks lying to a potential customer is okay. I know my father would be furious to find out his employees are lying about dog size policies.”

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