“I know,” King said evenly.“And that’s exactly why I’m talking to you before anyone else does.You think the rest of the club’s gonna like that we’ve got a target painted on our backs for some woman who doesn’t belong to us.”
Viper grounded his teeth together.“So what?You want me to hand her over?”Viper demanded.
King met his stare without flinching.“I want you to think, Viper.You’re my VP for a reason.You’ve got a level head when the rest of these bastards don’t.But this,” He gestured vaguely.“This looks personal.And personal gets people killed.”
Viper looked away. “She’s not just some stray.You don’t know what kind of fear she’s lived with her entire life.”
“You think I don’t get that?But you bringing her in here put us all in the crosshairs.You’re the one who taught me that loyalty to the club comes first.Remember?”King said.
That hit hard, sharper than King probably intended.Viper took a step back, dragging a hand over his face.“This isn’t the same,” Viper said.
“Bullshit.”
The word cracked like a whip.King rose to his feet, coming around the desk.
“You’re losing perspective, brother.You’ve been off since the day you brought her in.You barely sleep, you skip runs, you spend your time hovering around that girl like you’re her goddamn shadow.”
Viper’s temper spiked.“You think I don’t know what this looks like?I didn’t ask for this.She got dragged into something she didn’t deserve,” Viper argued.
“And neither did we,” King shot back.“You can’t save everyone.You try, and you’ll get the rest of us buried beside you.”
The words hit too close to home.Viper stared down at the floorboards, his reflection fractured in the grain.He’d told himself the same thing a hundred times since that day in the motel parking lot.Walk away.She’s trouble.Don’t make her yours.
Still, every time he tried, he saw her scared and defiant face.She refused to break.Every time she looked at him like he was the only safe place in her storm, something inside him twisted tighter.
King sighed again, softer this time.“Look, I know you’ve got a thing about protecting people who can’t protect themselves.It’s part of what makes you a good VP.But there’s a line, Viper.I’m not sure you can see it right now.”
“You saying I’m compromised?”Viper demanded.
“I’m saying you’re too close.”
The room went quiet again.The sound of the ticking clock filled the space between them.
“I can keep her safe.I’ll handle whatever heat comes down,” Viper finally said.
King shook his head.“You can’t handle both MCs if they decide to roll up here.We’re not ready for that.You wanna protect her?Fine.But you do it without dragging the club into it.You keep her hidden, low-profile.You make sure no one talks.”
“I already have,” Viper said.
King studied him for a long moment, then exhaled.“So you’re staking your rep on her.Your VP patch.”
“If that’s what it takes,” Viper said.
“You’re really willing to risk that over some woman you barely know?”King asked.
Viper didn’t answer right away.He thought of her laugh, the way she’d started to trust him, even if it scared her.The way she looked when she was training with him, fierce and stubborn, pushing through every bruise like she refused to be weak again.
He thought of the kiss.The way she’d whispered his name like it meant something when they were in bed together.
“She’s not just some woman,” Viper finally admitted.
King’s eyes narrowed.“Then what is she?”
Viper hesitated.“Mine,” Viper said.The word came out before he could stop it, rough-edged, raw.It startled even him.
King’s brows lifted.“Yours.”
“Yeah,” Viper said.“At least until this is over.”
