King barked a humorless laugh.“You realize what you just said, right?Are you ready to claim her like that and live with consequences if things don’t pan out the way you imagine?”
Viper let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.“My loyalty’s still to the club, but I can’t just throw her to the wolves.Not when I know what they’ll do to her.”
King stared at him a long moment, something unreadable in his eyes.Then he grunted and turned back toward his desk.“You’re making this harder than it has to be.”
“Story of my life,” Viper muttered.
King didn’t laugh.He sat, reaching for the whiskey bottle.“Fine.You want to protect her?Do it.But if this blows back on us, if we lose men, then it’s on you.You understand me?”
“I do.”
King poured himself a glass, took a slow sip, then set it down with a thud.“Then get the hell out of my office.And Viper?”
He paused at the door.
“Don’t let your dick make decisions your brain can’t clean up.”
Viper smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes.“Noted.”
When he stepped out of King’s office, the smirk faded.The hallway felt colder, the air heavier.He moved through the clubhouse, past the low rumble of laughter and the clinking of bottles from the common room, ignoring the curious glances thrown his way.
Everyone knew.Maybe King was right—perhaps he was really losing his edge.Because every line Viper had lived by, every rule he’d carved into himself over the years, was starting to blur around one small, stubborn woman with wide eyes that saw too much.
He was halfway down the hall when he heard the light footsteps.Not the heavy boots of a brother or the swagger of a prospect.Mara.
He froze, instinct prickling along his spine.She’d been there when a prospect told Viper that King wanted to see him in his office.She probably sensed how worried he was and followed him.Which probably meant she’d heard his conversation with King.
Damn it.He turned sharply and strode for his room.Well, it was practically their room, now.The door was cracked open, light spilling into the hall.Inside, he could hear movement, drawers opening and closing, the sound of a zipper tugged too hard.
Viper’s gut tightened.
He shoved the door open.“Mara,” Viper said.
She froze by the small dresser, a duffel bag half-packed on the bed.Her hands trembled as she stuffed a few more clothes inside.When she turned toward him, her expression was a mix of guilt and determination.
“Don’t,” he warned..“Don’t tell me you’re doing what I think you’re doing.”
Mara swallowed hard.“You don’t have to make this harder, Viper,” she whispered.
“I’m not the one making it harder.”He took a step forward, eyes narrowing.“You are.”
She drew herself up.“I heard everything,” she said, voice shaking.
He went still.
“I didn’t mean to,” she continued quickly, her gaze darting away.“I was waiting outside because one of the mechanics said King wanted to talk to me about this month’s payroll.I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but...”
“But you did.”
Mara lifted her chin, a familiar spark of defiance flashing through her eyes.“Yeah.I did, and I heard enough to know I shouldn’t be here.You’re risking everything for me, Viper.Your position, your club, your life.”
He stepped closer.“You’re not walking out of here,” Viper said, each word tight with control.
She shook her head.“I have to.I won’t be the reason your brothers turn on you.I won’t have you fighting two MCs because of me.It’s better if I just left,” Mara said, voice rising.
“Mara, stop,” he ordered.
She did, if only because of the steel in his tone.
