****
The ride back to theDevil’s Crown MC clubhouse was silent.Mara clung to the back of his Harley, every vibration of the engine traveling through her chest.She’d never been this close to him.
Mara had her arms wrapped around his waist and was distinctively aware of the solid of his back.The close contact sent her thoughts scattering.She told herself it was adrenaline, shock, anything but the flicker of something else that pulsed low and unbidden.
By the time they reached the Devil’s Crown compound, dusk was falling.The place was noisy, just like the Blood Vultures’ clubhouse.There was music, laughter, and the sound of engines.When Viper guided his bike around the side to a quieter wing and parked near a row of private rooms, the sound dimmed.
“This way,” he said.
She followed him inside.The small room smelled faintly of leather and whiskey.Spartan, like a man who didn’t need much.There was a bed, dresser, old scarred table.There were no photos, no personal touches.
“Sit,” Viper said, gesturing to the chair.He disappeared into the bathroom, came back with a damp towel, and handed it to her.“You’re shaking.”
She hadn’t noticed until then.Her hands trembled as she took it.
“Thanks,” Mara muttered.
Viper leaned against the wall, arms crossed.“Start talking, Mara.”
Her name sounded different in his mouth.
“I told you.My father’s the president of the Blood Vultures.”
“Yeah.I’m guessing he’s not sending birthday cards.”
Did he make that joke to make her feel more at ease?Well, it sort of worked.Mara opened her mouth and told him everything.How she found out Rex sold her because it would help settle some of his debts to the Iron Serpents.
“When I found out what my father’s plans for me were...”Mara trailed off.
“You ran,” Viper said, eyes dark.
“I had to.”
Silence stretched between them.The weight of it pressed on her until she thought she might shatter.
Viper pushed off the wall, pacing once before he spoke again.“You understand what happens if they find you?”
She nodded, eyes stinging.“They’ll kill me.Or worse.”
Something flickered behind his eyes.Anger, maybe, or pity.She couldn’t tell.
“Then you’ll stay here,” he said finally.“At least until I figure out how to resolve this mess.”
She stared at him.“Here?In your room?”
He met her gaze evenly.“It’s the only place they won’t look.No one touches my room.”
Her heart stumbled.“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“I can handle trouble,” Viper told her.
“Why are you doing this, Viper?”Mara had to ask.
Her voice came out hoarse, fragile, and she hated how small it sounded.However, she needed to know.She needed to hear him say what he wanted, what this was.
No one did her any favors without asking for something back in return.
He didn’t answer right away.Instead, Viper rubbed a hand over his face.For a second, she thought he wasn’t going to answer at all.Then his gaze found hers.
