Viper couldn’t even pretend to be annoyed. His muscles eased—just a fraction. “Grab a seat,” he said, voice low. “Movie’s starting.”
Memphis flopped onto the rug. Law took the armchair like it was a tactical perch. Rhett stole half of Pierce’s blanket without apology.
Family—
the dangerous, mismatched, ridiculous kind—
settled in around him.
Viper sank onto the sofa, muscles unwinding for the first time in a week.
The city flashed against the glass, quiet for once.
Tomorrow, he’d find Titus.
Tonight… family was enough.
Viper woke to the low hum of the city and the faint clatter of someone in the kitchen.
Not “someone.”
Memphis.
He knew that heavy-footed shuffle anywhere.
Viper pushed upright on Pierce’s couch, scrubbing a hand over his face. The apartment was dark except for the thin gray wash of dawn creeping across the glass. His jacket lay draped over the armrest, boots kicked under the coffee table. He hadn’t meant to pass out. Hadn’t meant for them all to stay.
And he damn sure hadn’t meant for backup to show up uninvited.
“Morning, sunshine,” Memphis called, voice low, edged in a grin Viper didn’t have to see to recognize.
Viper swung his legs to the floor. “Why the hell did you follow me?”
Memphis leaned against the marble island, cup of coffee in hand, wearing the same shirt he’d worn at the ranch—faded, wrinkled from the plane—clearly hadn’t used his brother’s shower.
“You gave me an address. And an access code. That’s basically an invitation.”
“I mean to New York.”
A second voice drifted from behind him. “Some invitation,” Rhett muttered, stepping into view. “Your brother’s doorman looked at us like we were stray dogs.”
Viper groaned.
Law followed, moving quieter than both of them, eyes already tracking exits, shadows, and the lay of the penthouse like he was cataloging a target. “You left without a word,” he said simply.
Viper frowned. “I didn’t think anyone needed to follow me.”
Memphis snorted. “Yeah, that’s adorable. You vanished, looking like you were about to murder someone with a dessert spoon? I’m not letting that go.”
Rhett dropped onto Pierce’s leather chair with a grunt. “Also, flights to New York were cheap.”
“Cheap, my ass,” Viper muttered, knowing how expensive they really were. These guys probably used their savings to come.
Law’s mouth twitched—just barely. “And Memphis snores. Couldn’t leave him unattended.”
“Assholes,” Memphis muttered, but he didn’t deny it.
Viper rubbed slow circles into his temple. “Does anyone know you three are here?”
