Page 50 of Viper

He pulls a small velvet box from his back pocket and drops down on one knee. No, he isn’t. I feel like I might swallow my tongue. My palms sweat, and my hands shake. I look at my family. My mom, Sara, and Sofia are crying. My brothers and my dad are smiling. This is really happening.

“Cara Lucia Romano, from the minute you hopped out of that truck, you took my breath away. Never have I been stunned silent like that before. Within twenty-four hours of meeting you, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You have brought so much happiness into my life. A happiness I didn’t even know I was lacking until you showed up. Now that I have you, I can’t imagine my life without you. You are giving me three beautiful babies and I hope you give me much more. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Will you marry me, Hellcat?”

By the time his speech is over, I’m crying big fat ugly tears. “Yes!” I choke out through my crying. Jace opens the box and I’m stunned. The ring is beautiful. It’s a three-carat, princess-cut diamond. Jace takes the ring out and slips it on my finger. He stands and brings me flush against his body. He kisses me so passionately that my knees buckle, and he has to help steady me. When the kiss breaks, I’m swarmed by my family and friends. Everyone is congratulating us, wishing us the best. I see something in Sara’s eyes that sends a pang to my chest. She’s happy for me but there’s something else there.

After everything calms down, I grab Sara and take her to my room. Shutting the door, I turn and face her. “What’s going on with you? Don’t bullshit me. I know you and you know me. I know something is wrong.”

“Cara, let’s do this another time. It’s supposed to be a happy night for you. I don’t want to ruin that.”

I shake my head at her. “You’re not getting out of this, so spill it.”

She sighs and a few tears falls from her eyes. I sit next to her and wrap her in my arms. “I can’t stay here anymore, sis. I can’t stay in this clubhouse.”

“Is it because of what happened today?”

“No. Hell no! I would never let scum like that run me away from my family.”

“Then what is it?”

“Bear. I’ve fallen in love with him, sis.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong is he wants nothing to do with me like that. He says we can only be friends. That I have too much light, and he refuses to taint it with the darkness inside of him.” Her tears flow like a river. My heart breaks for her. I had no idea this was going on between them. They’re almost as inseparable as me and Jace.

“I’m sorry, sis. Anybody can tell he’s crazy about you.”

“Yeah, but he won’t be with me in that way. The only way I can truly get over him is to leave here. If I want marriage, babies, and the whole white picket fence, I have to leave.”

“You don’t have to leave. Come stay with me and Viper. You’ll have the entire upstairs to yourself. We already decided to put the nursery downstairs with us. Or if you don’t want to stay with us, move into Chris or Cam’s house. I need you, sis.”

She nods her head. “I can do that. I just can’t look at him every day. It’s too painful.”

“Okay. We’ll keep you away.”

We wipe our eyes and head back down to the common room and see our parents preparing to leave. Mom and Dad come over and hug us. They let us know they have to fly back home for a charity event, but they’ll be back. After they’re gone, I tell Jace it’s time to take out the trash.

VIPER

Everyone heads to the basement.Candy is hanging from the ceiling by her wrists. As soon as she sees Cara in her property cut, she shakes against her chains.

“No! You’re not supposed to be his Ol’ Lady! I am!” she shrieks.

“Yeah. This bitch is definitely crazy,” Cara mutters. “I win, Lollipop. You’ve done everything in your power to come between Viper and me. Like sending Zeke after me.”

Candy pales and frantically shakes her head. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Candy sent Zeke after Cara? What the hell was she thinking? Did she think I would leave Cara if Zeke had raped her? The bitch is out of her mind.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Candy’s voice shakes from the lie flowing out of her mouth.

“Yes, you do. See, after Brick kindly informed me that you told him about the city’s cameras and my location, I put two and two together. I remember seeing you and Zeke in the corner looking real chummy right before he attacked me.”

“That’s not true! Viper, baby, she’s lying.”

“Sara.” Cara’s voice is calm at the moment, but I know better. My woman is furious.

Sara rushes forward and grabs a hammer off the table and slams it in Candy’s mouth. Blood leaks from Candy’s mouth instantly.

“See, I can’t hit you because I’m pregnant, but Sara can. So, lie again, bitch!” Cara growls.

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