Page 31 of Viper (Fallen Angel 2)

Paul stumbled back a bit, his hand coming up to cover his mouth, but then he seemed to shake himself, clearly trying to rein in his surprise. He swallowed, and when he spoke again, it was professional, though he was still obviously taken aback. When he held his hand out to Viper, I noticed the way it shook, and it made me think back to the first day I’d met the intimidating force that was Viper. Hell, I’d been shaking too.

“I’m Paul, the store manager here, and can I just say I’m honored you stopped by. I’m a huge fan.” He shook Viper’s hand, and then he turned to me, his arm outstretched. “And…Halo, isn’t it? The new song is fucking killer—I mean, uh, just killer, sorry—”

“You can say fuckin’ killer,” Viper said. “He likes it.”

Paul’s face reddened, and then he managed a smile. I looked down to where he was still shaking my hand, and when he followed my gaze, he pulled free.

“Oh, sorry about that,” he said, still looking between us as if we’d disappear at any moment. “Is there something I can help you with? Would you like more information about the MB-1?”

It was the first time I’d been recognized while Viper and I had ventured out, though he’d been stopped many times before. It felt a little strange for someone I’d never met to know who I was, but I guessed that was something I needed to get used to, huh?

“I think he’s got a good handle on it,” Viper said, inclining his head toward me. In response, I began to play again, as Paul stood quietly by, watching with wide eyes. It was easy to get lost in the guitar; it had so many functions I couldn’t wait to try out—

Wait, was I actually considering buying it?

I stopped playing, much to Paul’s apparent dismay, and as I put the guitar back in its stand, Viper said, “What are you doing?”

“I can’t buy this.” I shook my head, wondering if I’d lost my mind even coming here. I had two perfectly fine guitars already. I didn’t need this one.

“Why?” Viper asked. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s more than several months of rent. I can’t afford that.”

“Oh, Angel.” There was a smug look on Viper’s face as he walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “There’s a few zeroes in your bank account now that say you can.”

“But I don’t need it. I just want it.” Ugh, I wanted it so much. I could just imagine all the new sounds I could incorporate into the songs we were working on, and—

“Fine.” Viper shrugged, dropping his hands and pulling out his wallet from his back pocket. “I’ll buy it.”

My mouth fell open. “What? No. I mean, unless you’re buying it for yourself—”

When Viper handed a credit card to Paul, I snatched it out of his hands and shoved it against Viper’s chest. “You’re not buying me a guitar.”

“Eh. It’s a tax write-off.”

“No,” I said. “Absolutely not.”

Viper looked past me at Paul. “We’ll take it. Did you want the red or black, Angel?”

Fuck. He was really gonna buy me this damn guitar, wasn’t he?

“Fine, I’ll buy it,” I said, taking out my own wallet and handing over my card. It didn’t feel real that I had enough on there to cover the cost of the guitar, but I’d seen the check with my own eyes and knew just how many of these guitars I could buy with all that. I really did want it anyway, so having Viper’s permission of sorts? Yeah, okay. Why not.

“Wonderful choice.” Paul nodded as he took my card, and behind me, I heard Viper chuckle. “Which style would you prefer, and I’ll get it ready for you?”

My eyes ventured over to where Viper stood in full black from his hat to his shirt to his shoes. “I’ll take the matte black.” As the store manager walked off, I moved in closer to Viper, who had a victorious grin on his face.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “What are you gonna name her?”

“Him,” I said, my lips curving mischievously. “And I think I’ll name him Viper.” I leaned in close to whisper in his ear, “That way I can touch, play, or lick him whenever I want.”

Eighteen

Viper

THE RUSTY PELICAN was one of the hottest restaurants in Miami. It catered to all kinds of clientele, including celebrities, locals, and tourists. With its waterfront views overlooking the Miami skyline, the guys and I had discovered the hotspot the first time we’d been sent down here to record and made it a point to visit whenever we were in town.

That was exactly what I was doing now, I told myself as Halo walked beside me, down toward the entrance—just, you know, minus the other guys. Nothin’ unusual about that. We’d gone out, spent some of Halo’s hard-earned cash on something he more than deserved, and now we were gonna throw back some drinks, eat some food, and have a good time, which all would’ve seemed completely normal if I hadn’t started it by—

---