Page 25 of Viper's Claim

I turned and standing there was the woman that ruined me. Stole my teenage heart. Killed the good in me.

Cleo. What was worse. She had a three-year-old standing at her side. Suddenly everything got fucked up.

“Fucking bitch comes here after everything she did.” Eve stood in the family house with crossed arms. “So is the kid, Tyson’s?” She wanted an answer. But Reaper wasn’t speaking and I think it had to do with me being here.

“I might leave,” I said and stood up.

“Like hell you will,” Eve yelled. “Cleo’s leaving with the leech she calls a child. You and I both know she just wants money dad.”

Reaper looked at Eve. “It’s not my decision. It’s Tyson’s.”

“Like he is going to make a clear decision! She was the reason for his first kill. She is the reason he turned cold. She is his fucking weakness!”

So Cleo was the reason for Tyson’s broken heart and him being split.

“It’s okay Eve,” I said, and I went to give her half a hug.

“Stay?” She asked as I pulled back. “Please Aurora. Don’t just disappear. Stay as my friend. Fuck my brother.”

“She has a point,” Reaper spoke up. “I’ve got nearly half a floor of empty dorm rooms with no traveling chapters. I’d like you to stay as well Aurora, for what it is worth.”

“So would I.” Abby walked into the room. “Alright, breakfast is ready. Aurora, are you happy to eat with us?”

“Um I would but I need to see someone.”

“Not my brother right?” Eve questioned.

“No. Um, Pixie. She called me last night. I was meant to be at the café at eight. I’m already running late.”

They nodded their heads. “Well, I’ll get a room ready for you Aurora. twenty-two and the key will be above the door frame.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at her and left.

My head was basically close to exploding. I walked into my bedroom to see Aurora packing her bags.

“So you’re leaving?”

She turned. “Rooms, yeah.”

I frowned.

“Your parents have asked me to stay. They offered me another room.” She gave me a dim smile. And I felt myself crumbling. Every emotion I had pushed down for Cleo was rising and I needed my peace, my Aurora.

I couldn’t stop the tears from forming in my eyes. “So this is the end of us?”

“No Tyson, this is the beginning.” She zipped up her bag and then walked to me. Placing a hand on my cheek. “I’ll always be a friend.”

I felt the tears run down my cheeks. “And I’m expecting you to move on to other blokes.”

“Wasn’t too long ago, you couldn’t even admit to being anything to me.” She cupped both my cheeks, her fingers wiping the tears away. As her eyes stared into my soul. “She can give you something I never can.”

“What?”

“The future you wanted with her before she left.” She kissed my cheek. “I will always be your friend.” Then I saw how our goodbye was ripping her apart. She grabbed her bag and walked around me, so I couldn’t see her falling apart. Once again protecting me.

I was scrolling through job listings. While sitting on the workbench while Demon worked quietly on a car. He and I did one thing well, silence. Viper and I hadn’t spoken again since… Cleo walked back into his life.

“Yo monster face.” A man shouted, after forcing open the garage side door. He scanned the room and his eyes landed on me. “Hey there sweetheart,” he gave me the charm.

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