Page 16 of Viper's Single Mom
The entire diner turned away. Studying napkins, fascinated by ceiling tiles, deeply invested in empty plates. Even Bea had her back turned, suddenly overwhelmed by the cash register.
Viper hauled Harrison toward the door. My feet followed without permission.
The alley reeked of old grease and summer garbage. Harrison was already on the ground, Armani jacket torn, perfect hair destroyed. Blood trickled from his mouth, but still he talked.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with. I have connections—judges who owe me, cops on payroll, other MCs?—"
Viper's fist connected with Harrison's jaw. The crack echoed off brick walls.
"That's for every time you told her she wasn't enough."
Another hit, ribs this time. Harrison curled inward, whimpering.
"That's for making her afraid."
"She's nothing special." Harrison spat blood, still trying for control. “She’s a suburban piece of trash. You'll get bored when the novelty wears off?—"
The next hit came from Wolf, dropping Harrison back to his knees.
"Respect. Learn it."
Viper crouched down, voice conversational. "Wraith."
Wraith appeared by Vipers side. "Seventeen transfers from your client trust to shell companies. Three witnesses who conveniently died before testifying. The Milwaukee DA would find this fascinating."
Harrison went white beneath the blood.
"Sign the divorce papers tonight," Viper continued. "Full custody to Tara. Or your partners get an email about missing client funds."
He stood, wiping Harrison's blood on his jeans. The casual violence, the absolute control—heat spiraled through me, wrong and undeniable.
Sheriff Jenkins's cruiser pulled into the lot. Blade hauled Harrison upright, shoving him toward a rental car.
"Airport. Now. We'll be watching."
Harrison fumbled for keys with shaking hands. His gaze found mine through the windshield—real fear there now, bone-deep and permanent.
He drove away with his tires screeching round the corner out of the parking lot.
Jenkins strolled over, taking in the scene. "Trouble?"
"Car trouble," Viper said. "We helped him out."
Jenkins glanced at me, waiting.
"Car trouble," I confirmed.
Jenkins's jaw clenched, his badge catching sunlight as he turned away. "Goddamn Pike Creek. One of these days, someone in this town is going to actually tell me the truth." He yanked his cruiser door open. "But not today, apparently."
The alley went quiet. Viper turned to me, and whatever he saw in my expression made his nostrils flare.
"You're turned on."
Heat flooded my face. "I shouldn't be?—"
"But you are." He backed me against the brick wall, caging me in. "Watching me defend you. Protect what's mine."
His mouth crashed into mine, copper and violence on his tongue. I opened immediately, hands fisting in his cut, pulling him closer. The kiss was brutal, claiming, his hand tangling in my hair to angle my head exactly where he wanted it.
