Page 40 of Vicious

My stomach flipped, thinking about Hannah leaving. “Okay.”

“Okay. Is that all there is to discuss?”

“Yep.”

Chapter 15

Hannah

I stood in Viper’s room, staring at the phone as he sat it down on the nightstand. There wassomuch respect between Vinny and Viper—why? I mean, I learned that Viper’s dad was Vinny’s friend...

But Viper had buckedeveryoneabout me leaving, except for Vinny.

And I wanted to know why.

“So what’s the deal with Vinny?” I asked as Gunner dropped my bags to the floor, giving me a weird look before quietly slipping back out.

“I don’t know what you’re asking,” Viper groaned, sitting down on the edge of the bed, leaning back against a stack of pillows. “He’s just an old friend.”

“Yeah, I know that—everyone refers to him like that. I want to know what kind of friend he is,” I demanded, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “But you didn’t even argue with him when he told you I was going back with him next week.”

“Okay, and?”

“Why? You didn’t mind disagreeing with your president—who also clearly doesn’t like Vinny.” Iknewthere was some sort of puzzle piece I was missing. I just hadn’t figured it out yet.

“I got shot today, and I would like to rest.” Viper laid his head back, his eyes closing. “Maybe you should work on that article. You don’t have very long to get it done.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You forced me to come here, but now you’re going to shut me out. I don’t understand you. It’s the same way that you say we’re nothing at all, but yet you show up unannounced and break my ex-boyfriend’s face.”

“Ah, so you’ve talked to him then?”

I nearly threw my purse at him. “No, I haven’t talked to him, but Isawwhat you did, Viper. I don’t know why you won’t just admit that you actuallywantme to be here.”

“Well, I’d rather you be here than dead somewhere.” His flat, emotionless voice ground on my nerves, and anger began to replace curiosity.

“You’re insufferable.”

“Must be your type.”

I bit my lip hard enough it hurt. “I’m going to get some air. I’d rather deal with your asshole president than you. I bet he’d give me a ride out of town.”

That got his attention.

His eyes flew open. “Why’re you trying to get a rise out of me, Hannah? I’m doing nothing but trying to keep you safe. I’m damn near convinced that someone has their sights set on you, and all I’m trying to do is keep your ass alive. You’ll leave with Vinny.”

“Why is it safe to leave with Vinny but not Tip?” I was exasperated, throwing my hands up at him. “What the hell is going on?”

He studied my face for a moment, holding my eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on, Hannah.” His voice went quiet in a way that caught my attention. “I just have a gut feeling that something is really wrong.”

“Like with the Silent Kings?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I don’t think they’d go as far as to shoot me right off Main Street. I mean, yeah, they’re idiots, but they’re mostly talk. Besides, I’veneverhad beef with any of them.”

“But I do.” I ran my fingers down my bare thighs, my palms feeling sweaty. “I think they hate me.”

“Nah, they might be burned that you rejected them—and they might try to scare you, but I don’t think they’d actually do you any real harm. Are you sure you don’t know who was banging on the hotel door?”

I furrowed my brow at the way his voice was nearly a whisper. “The voice sounded familiar, but I didn’t recognize anything else about it. The door really muffled it, too, so there’s a chance that I don’t know who was on the other side.” I pushed some of my blonde hair behind my ears, trying to replay it over in my mind. “I don’t know who it was.”

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