Page 19 of Viper's Claim

“Aurora?” I asked. I couldn’t tell, her house was in darkness.

“Viper, why are you here?”

Her words were low.

“Can I come in?”

She didn’t move the chain or go to let me in.

“Please,” I added.

She was standing in the dark and I wanted to see her. I was actually fucking getting a craving like an addict to see her.

She closed the door.

I pinched my eyes shut. Fucking one woman I fall for, and she wasn’t going to even let me in her house.

Then I heard the chain slide open and the door open.

I felt relief, and then she let it swing open.

I gripped it, closing it after me. The house was in darkness, the curtains pulled open and the moon shining in.

“You alright babe?” I asked as she kept her back to me.

I noticed the pillow on the couch and blanket. Why was she sleeping on the couch? Unless… “You got someone staying here?” I asked.

She paused before she sat down on the couch. “No.” and she pushed the blanket back and sat down. Pulling the blanket back, she placed it off the lap. Not looking at me.

I could feel it. Something was wrong with her. The moonlight shone in and cast shadows.

“Why are you here Tyson?” she asked, pulling the blankets up around her.

“You're hiding yourself from me.” I moved towards her and she sunk back into the couch.

“Please don’t.” She whispered, and I heard the tears in her voice. But I heard more than that in the voice. Pain. From the past, present, all of it. I moved towards her and I sat next to her. As she sobbed slightly. Taking her hand, I gently pulled her towards me, laying her head on my lap. I pulled the blanket over her and stroked her hair. While she cried. I didn’t know who had broken her.

But Lord have mercy on their soul, their family, and their future was non-existent.

At this moment, all I knew for certain was that she was mine.

I loved her and I hated that I did. But the pull for her was too strong. I’d protect her. That’s when I realized. I wouldn’t die in the name of the club. I’d die in the name of the woman I loved. And that was Aurora.

My eyes fluttered open, the bright light waking me. I pushed myself up from Tyson’s lap. Only to find he wasn’t asleep. Did he sleep at all last night?

He looked at my bruised face. I waited for the question. Why was I so badly bruised? Instead, he stood up.

“Do you have food?”

I frowned. Weakly nodding my head. I had food delivered yesterday.

“I’ll make us breakfast.” He walked away from me. Not asking one question. I pushed the blankets back. My ankles still had rope burns. I couldn’t hide it from him. But more importantly, I felt like I didn’t have to.

I stood up fully, wearing only a loose shirt. I walked towards the kitchen.

“You don’t have to cook breakfast. I…”

He gave me a hard look.

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