“Okay. What do you want?”
“I’m tempted to offer you a job,” Cain admits. “Switch your loyalty from Dagon to me. Max says Dagon has something on you—if you tell me what it is, I’ll have it taken care of.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Having Viper as part of the Nighthawks would be good for business.”
“Giving the leader of the Nighthawks any leverage on me, however, would be catastrophic to me. So, you’ll forgive me when I say fuck off.”
“No offense taken.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“In any case, your job would be contingent on Max’s approval. You ought to understand that you now belong to him, Viper. He’s your owner. Not the worst turn of events considering just how head over heels he is for you. Apparently, you made quite an impression on him in your formative years.”
“Funny enough, he made zero impression on me. I have no fucking clue who he is, other than the douchebag who kidnapped me and brought me here to be enslaved.”
“I heard about your amnesia. How did it transpire?”
“Is that relevant?”
“Not particularly. Call it clinical curiosity.”
“I’m not a test subject.”
Cain chuckles. “That’s where you’re comically incorrect.” A few bangs sound on the door. He leans forward. “I’ll give you some free advice—something very few people will get from me. Submit. Bondwith Max. He’s kinder than most. If you were mine, I’d have flogged you head to toe for the backtalk, and caned your feet until they bled to keep you from running again.”
I give him a look of utter disgust. “How charming.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested.” Cain holds my eyes. “You might be vaguely amusing and potentially useful, but that’s all you are to me.” He stands, pocketing his hands. “I don’t expect you’ll be seeing anyone but Maximus for the foreseeable future. Make it easier on yourself and comply.” He turns and stalks out, only to be replaced byMax, who’s standing at the door, nostrils flared, cheeks flushed, and hard-on clearly visible through the outline of his pants.
“Viper?” he asks, taking a step forward. “Really?”
“The one and only.” I crack my neck. “Why, have you heard of me?”
“Anyone who isn’t a greenie has heard of you.” He shakes his head with a sardonic laugh. “Alright, Flame. Let’s get you back to where you belong.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ember
As it turns out,where I belongis a man-cave that feels less like a home and more like a command center dressed up as one. Clean lines, muted colors of charcoal, deep navy, and warm wood decorate the space. The open living room is centered around a low sectional and a heavy coffee table, its surface spotless except for a crystal decanter and two glasses. Narrow, reinforced windows slice along the far wall, letting in slivers of the forest beyond the fortress. The kitchen bleeds into the living space, all black stone counters and stainless steel, built for function instead of comfort. The appliances are high-end and expensive but barely used.
Down a short hallway, I spot three doors lining one side. Across from them is another, single door, heavier and reinforced. Something tells me that’s either his office or command center.
My hands are still tied behind my back as I appraise Max’s apartment, so when a dog comes barreling down the hall, I gasp and stumble back so violently I trip over my own feet.
I used to feel a distant fondness for dogs… until Dagon put me in a crate with his cruelest mutts as a punishment. One of them nearly tore my arm off. I had to get surgery on my shoulder, and Dagon complained that I’d cost him tens of thousands.
Max’s arms circle my waist to prevent me from falling. My heartbeat quickens as fear takes hold of me, and flashbacks of sharp teeth tearing into my delicate flesh—
“Greg,stay,” Max snaps.
The blur of brown-black fur halts in the center of the room.
“Sit,” Max instructs.
The dog’s ass meets the floor. I exhale a slow, shuddering breath.
