“Instead, we were learning that laws only apply to people without enough money to ignore them,” Penn adds, some of his usual levity returning. “And that morality is just a word the weak use to feel superior.”
“We built something real,” Grayson says. “Something that lasts. But only because we’ve been careful about who we let in.”
I nod, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle over my shoulders. We joined the vipers together—teenagers who recognized kindred spirits in each other. Who understood that the world was divided between those who took what they wanted and those who got crushed beneath them. At the time, it was in its infancy. The brainchild of Jax King.
Now we’re fifty members strong. Politicians, CEOs, judges, police commissioners. The leader, Jax, was like us at the start, but he’s allowed the power to get to his head a bit too much. Everyone in the Vipers understands that real power comes from being willing to cross lines others won’t approach.
“Selection matters,” I say. “Every person we bring in either strengthens us or becomes a liability. There’s no middle ground.”
“No mercy for weakness,” Penn agrees, raising his glass.
“No hesitation when action is needed,” Blaze adds.
“No conscience to get in the way,” Ari finishes.
Grayson lifts his drink. “To the Vipers.”
We all raise our glasses, the ritual grounding. This is who we are, what we’ve achieved together. The Vipers may not be our organization, but we’re fundamental to it. It wouldn’t exist without us, and our leader, Jax, knows it.
6
AURORA
The private room at Elixir pulses with bass from the main floor, muffled enough that we can talk without shouting. Chloe’s already three cosmoses deep, her bright pink hair catching the neon lights as she gestures wildly.
“I’m just saying, if you’re going to get married, at least make sure the sex is good first.” She points her glass at Olivia. “You have slept with him, right?”
Olivia’s cheeks flush. “That’s not—we’re taking things slow.”
“Slow?” Chloe nearly chokes on her drink. “Babe, you’re engaged before the first date. That’s not slow.”
Grace laughs from her spot on the velvet couch, legs tucked beneath her. “Leave her alone. Some people wait.”
“For what? Disappointment?” Chloe grins. “I’m doing you a favor, Liv. Test drive before you buy.”
Daisy shakes her head, quiet as always, but there’s amusement in her eyes. She sits beside me, nursing a gin and tonic while the chaos swirls around us.
I should be laughing with them. Should be joining in Chloe’s teasing or defending Olivia’s choices. Instead, I’m trying not to think about Hunter Reed’s hands on my shoulders. The intensityin those dark eyes when he looked at me at their engagement announcement.
“Aurora agrees with me.” Chloe turns her attention my way. “Right? You’d want to know what you’re getting into?”
“I—” My throat tightens. “I think Olivia should do whatever feels right for her.”
Olivia beams at me. “See? Aurora gets it.”
Grace arches an eyebrow. “That’s unusually diplomatic of you.”
Damn. I’ve been too quiet. Too careful. These women know me well enough to notice when something’s off.
“Just tired,” I lie, taking a sip of my Manhattan. “It’s been a long week.”
“Because of your dad’s anniversary?” Daisy’s voice is soft, but her question cuts straight through.
The others fall quiet. Even Chloe stops mid-drink.
“Yeah.” I latch onto the excuse. “Going back there brought up a lot of memories.”
Olivia reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you. I should have been.”
