Page 2 of Viper's Claim

He cracked a grin while he stared at me. “What the fuck that’s got to do with anything?”

“Nothing. Made you grin though.” I gave him a half-smile. “Scary man. Your life sounds complicated if it helps. It’s better complicated than it is boring.”

“Fuck I’d love boring,” he blew out and his expression softened. “My old man doesn’t say it, but he wants me to step up as Vice. I’m not ready. I can’t be the next him.”

“Why would he want you to be the next him? The whole point of parents is to not do or be like them.” I shrugged. “It’s like we can choose to not repeat their mistakes and be like them. Which I think every parent would want. Especially yours.”

“Why would you say, especially mine?”

“Because your dad is letting your sister marry his best friend. That in itself says everything.” I walked back to the bench, picking up my handbag. “I don’t know your name and I will most likely never see you again.” I turned to him. “So I’m going to be honest. You could pull off a facial tattoo, but you also are allowed to feel angry at your family, even your sister. Who I’m sure you protect fiercely. Which is why you are so upset she kept something from you.” My hand wrapped around my door handle. “It’s okay to just let yourself feel and not be cold.” I looked him in the eyes and smiled at him.

I popped open the car door and got in. Leaving him speechless. Or maybe he just didn’t want to speak to me. Either way. I left. I glanced back in my mirror and saw him watching me drive away.

* * *

I closed the retail storefront and locked the glass doors. Before pulling the wire fence over it. I locked that as well. I turned around, and that was when I saw him. Leaning against a shop in the mall. His eyes were on me.

How the hell did he know I would be here? Did he follow me? No way. He wouldn’t wait three hours for me to finish work. . . more importantly, why was the stranger even here?

“Getting a piece from the jewellers?” I questioned as he leaned against the jewellery shop front.

His lips twitched up. “I’m Vipe—Tyson,” he moved uncomfortably. “And I really wanted to know your name?”

“Why? Do you want to get it tattooed?” I questioned with a smirk and realized he took it seriously. I pushed his shoulder. “Aurora. And please do not shorten it.” I gestured my head to the food court. “Want to get something to eat?”

He just stared at me like I was something amazing. I actually think maybe he was drunk. I raised my eyebrows.

“Yeah. If it doesn’t bother you.”

“Bother me? I love the potato cakes from the food court.” Why was he judging the food court?

“I meant to be seen with me.”

“Why would it?”

He looked puzzled for a moment and then shook his head and walked beside me.

“I came to say sorry, you know for how I spoke to ya.” He mumbled basically. This man was not used to saying the word sorry.

“No big deal. Been spoken to worse.” Though normally I couldn’t see the person's expression. It was always just yelling down the phone. Though it used to be my father.

I walked to the food court bay and ordered. Then I leaned up to grab a straw while the servicer got my potato cakes.

“What do you want?” I glance back at him and he is glaring at three boys in a food court. “Friends of yours?” I asked him and his attention came back to me.

“I’m not hungry and no.” He then paid for my food before I could get my bank card out, and it annoyed me for some reason. I wasn’t used to anyone paying for anything of mine. “Aren’t we going to sit down?”

“Nope,” I replied and pulled my potato cake from the brown bag. “You are going to pick a fight with those men. So, let’s just leave.”

He again gives me this look. “How do you know me so well already?”

“Mind reader.” I tapped my temple and then we walked slowly from the mall. “So did you really chase me down to say sorry.” I cocked a look at him.

“And say thank you. A few words from you, I calmed down.” he said as we stepped out of the mall.

I pulled out a fifty, bending over, and dropped it in the beggar’s hat.

I stood up and looked at him. “What’s wrong?” I asked. His whole expression had changed.

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