King’s jaw tightened.“And she’s staying in your room?”
“She’s got nowhere else to go.Her old man tried to sell her to the Iron Serpents to clear a debt,” Viper explained.
For a second, the sound of the shop seemed to fade, the clatter of tools, and the drone of engines.
King’s expression darkened.“So let me get this straight,” he said slowly.“Two MCs are after her?”
Viper didn’t answer right away.He didn’t have to.The silence was enough.
“Jesus Christ.”King’s voice rose, sharp enough that Mara looked up from her desk.
Mara knitted her brows together in worry, gaze darting toward Viper.
“I’ll take full responsibility for her,” Viper said, low but firm.
“You better,” King growled.“Because the Devil’s Crown MC won’t go to war against two clubs over one woman.”
“She’s not just any woman,” Viper automatically said.
King barked a laugh, more incredulous than amused.
“You hearing yourself?That’s exactly what I said about Lena before half the damn Serpents were bleeding out on our doorstep.”
Viper’s eyes narrowed.“Didn’t stop you.”
King’s smirk faded.“Don’t you dare try to throw that in my face,” King said.
“Just saying, brother,” Viper said evenly.“You’ve been where I am.”
“Difference is, I knew Lena was worth it,” King said.
The words hit harder than they should have.Viper felt them settle like grit under his skin.
King studied him for a long moment.“How important is she to you, Viper?”
Viper didn’t answer, he couldn’t.
He wasn’t sure what the truth was.All he knew was that the thought of Mara out there, alone, still made something primal in him want to break bones.
King sighed.“Thought so.”He tossed the rag back onto the bench and turned toward the garage bay doors.“Handle it, brother.Whatever this is.But don’t drag the rest of us into your mess.”
Viper watched him leave, the sound of King’s boots fading into the echoing hum of the shop.When he turned back, Mara was standing a few feet away.She must’ve crossed the floor while they’d been talking.
“You okay?”she asked quietly.
He hadn’t realized how tense he’d gotten until he looked at her.Mara looked worried, her eyes wide and searching.
“Yeah,” he said.“Just club business.”
“You sure?King looked real angry,” Mara pointed out.
“King’s always angry.”He forced a faint smirk that didn’t quite land.“Don’t worry about it.”
Mara didn’t look convinced.She folded her arms, gaze flicking toward the door King had disappeared through.“If this is about me...”Mara began.
“It’s not,” Viper lied.
Mara pressed her lips into a thin line.“You’re a terrible liar,” Mara stated.
