Page 87 of The Vipers' Vow

“Dance with me,cherie?” Saint asks as a slow number comes on.

She nods, and he takes her hand, leading her to the makeshift dance space in the middle of the room.

He’s wearing a silk shirt, a dark jacket, and pants, and the pair of them together look like they should be on the red carpet at the movies.

They move around the dance floor, and I can see people talking, watching, some puzzled. Should we make the announcement? I sign to ask Lex.

He grins. “Let’s fuck with their heads a bit first.”

He joins his twin and Vani on the dance floor, and stands behind her, his hands on her hips, and they move together with her between them. The chatter increases, a low hum underneath the music.

“They like causing a stir almost as much as I do.”

I glance to my side to see Tino grinning at the display.

I shrug because I don’t want to try to converse with the guy. It’s hard for me to communicate with people, so I save it for those I really want to talk to.

My dick is pulsing in my pants as I watch Lex’s hands slide over Vani’s ass, brushing over his twins as they both hold her. Later, we’re going to end up ripping that pretty dress off her, I’m sure.

The song ends, and she slips out from between the twins and turns to me. Her cheeks are flushed, and she glances at the people in the room. Most have stopped watching the show now, though. Some are dancing; others are flirting. A group are in the kitchen, doing shots, and I glance at Saint and Lex.

They both nod.

It’s time.

Time to make this gorgeous creature ours.

36

VANI

Ican’t believe the twins claimed me so publicly that way. Saint had his arms around me as if we were a couple, but then Lex joined us. Saint and Lex danced with me so sexily. I could see people watching us, whispering to each other, probably wondering what our arrangement is.

I like that they’ve claimed me, and I’m super proud that people know men like them want me, but also, I don’t want to be a punchline around the college. I might not want babies and the domesticity Mackenzie has, but I’d like something a little bit more … official. What, though, I don’t really know.

Sighing, I push my thoughts away and walk toward Zane. He catches me around my waist and pulls me in for a deep kiss. I feel his erection pressing against me, and my gasp of shock at his intense kiss is swallowed by his mouth.

He lets me go, and I almost stagger back, I’m that dazed from the onslaught. The music cuts, and a clanging fills the air.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the esteemed establishment that is Verona Falls, thank you for coming tonight.”

I whip around to see Saint standing on the dining table, shouting to be heard. He hits the pan in his hand again with the spoon, and, when he has the attention of the entire room, he carries on.

“We asked you all here tonight because the Vipers have something to say.”

He jumps down from the table, and Lex walks into the room with a cake on a platter. It’s big, three tiers, and pretty colors. I frown. It’s not my birthday. What’s going on?

He places the cake carefully on the table in front of me, and I read the words.Will You Be Ours?

My heart stutters and then races into a new, faster rhythm. Oh, God.

“Vani,” Lex says as he takes my hand. He pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and begins to read. “These are the words of the Vipers, words we want to say to you in front of all our friends, here at the college, and some foes.”

There’s a ripple of laughter, and he smirks and carries on.

“We’ve not always treated you the way you deserve. There have been times, lots of times, when one or more of us has been a complete dick. For that, we’re sorry, sorrier than you can ever imagine. We’ve fucked up, repeatedly, and we want to spend the rest of our lives making it up to you. Because we all knew one thing—from the minute you stepped foot on Verona Falls grounds, you were destined to be ours.”

He hands the paper to Saint, who carries on reading. “We want you to be with us as ours in this grand adventure called life. We know you don’t want marriage and babies and all that shit—at least not yet—but we still wanted to do something as a sign of our commitment to you.”

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