Page 41 of Quadruplets for the Vipers

“I have to work a notice period,” I try to argue to buy more time to come up with a plan.

“No. I’ve waited too long for you. It’s been driving me crazy. It took me months to find you, and then I found out you’d had to resort to living in that disgusting den of filth with those brutes. I wanted to rescue you right away, but I was worried about what those monsters might do to you if my men didn’t get to you quickly enough, or that you might be caught in the crosshairs. No, it was safer to have you come to me.”

“How long have you known I was there?”

My mind goes back to the night that the Hellhounds broke into the house looking for me. Could Tony have sent them?

“Since you performed on open mic night with your disfigured friend. I’ve been frequenting all the disgusting, low-life wannabe musicians’ bars for months, trying to find you. I knew eventually you wouldn’t be able to resist showing off on stage again.”

A wave of relief floods through me. I’m not the reason the Hellhounds started the war.

“You can imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only were you parading yourself around on stage like a whore, but you’d also managed to get yourself tangled up with some motorcycle gang. It wasn’t hard to find out about their little war with the Hellhounds and to offer my resources in exchange for their loyalty.”

However, I am the reason why the Hellhounds weren’t immediately defeated. Thanks to me, the Hellhounds have gained a powerful supporter and the Steel Vipers a deadly enemy. If I do as he asks, perhaps he will lose interest in the Steel Vipers and leave them alone.

“You did all this for me?” I say, playing on his ego.

If I act like I’m impressed, as if I find his actions protective and romantic rather than controlling and evil, perhaps I can convince him that he’s winning me back. If he has what he wants, perhaps I can keep the Steel Vipers safe and end the war. At the very least, I can get Rider and me out of here safely so we can come up with a plan.

“I would do anything for you, Leah. You’re mine, no one else’s.” He reaches over and cups my chin in his hand, gripping it so tightly it hurts. “If you try to pull any stunts, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes,” I squeak, my throat dry. I’m well aware of the lengths he will go to get what he wants.

“One day. I’ll be watching,” he promises before kissing me hard on the lips.

I struggle to hide my revulsion, keeping my expression neutral as he pulls away.

“Please take Leah to her friend and escort them out of the building,” he orders the security guard. “I’ll see you soon, my love,” I hear him say as I walk away, his words a promise.

I feel as if I’ve made a deal with the devil. What will these twenty-four hours of freedom cost me?

Chapter 20

Leah

The guard leads me into the depths of the building until we reach an emergency exit.

“I’m not leaving without Rider.”

“He’s in there,” he says, pushing the door open.

Instead of opening out into the street, the door opens into a small room. It’s pitch black, and it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust as the light from the corridor streams in. I notice Rider, huddled over in the corner.

“What did you do to him?” I demand, rushing over to his side to check for injuries.

“Nothing,” he snorts in disgust. “Maybe your pussy biker boy is scared of the dark.”

He’s right, there are no obvious signs of injury on Rider, but he seems terrified, flinching, and cowering away from me.

“Rider, it’s me, Leah. Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

“Leah,” he says, really seeing me for the first time.

He allows me to lead him outside, and I instruct him to get into the passenger seat. He’s in no fit state to drive. I drive home steadily, stealing glances at him the entire way. He returns to his almost catatonic state, and I feel sick with worry. What did they do to him? Did they drug him? Or injure him in some way I can’t see?

“Axel,” I shout as we enter the house. “Knox? Jace?”

The house is silent, they’re not here.

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