Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Viper
Iris is trembling, her eyes rimmed with red. Fucking Lyon.
If I ever get my hands on that bastard... I squeeze her hands, willing myself to stay calm for her sake. This is her moment, her decision, and I don't want to crowd her. Even though it's killing me not to just pull her into my arms and tell her it's okay.
It's not. Not by a long shot. But maybe, with time, it can be.
"You did the right thing," I murmur, reaching up to stroke her cheek. Her eyes flutter shut at my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips. My chest tightens. God, she's beautiful. She's always been beautiful, but the hurt and heartbreak written across her features right now makes her even more so. Because it makes her human. Real. Breakable.
I want to break every last motherfucker who's ever hurt her.
Starting with her asshole ex.
I take a deep breath, focusing on the warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips.
"Look at me, Iris."
Her eyelids flutter open, her eyes locking on mine.
I hold her gaze, pouring every ounce of sincerity I have into my words. "You're brave, and you're strong, and you're not alone. Not anymore. I promise. Okay?"
She swallows, her throat bobbing, and nods. I'm so fucking tempted right now, with my dick tenting my pants, squeezing out thick drops of precum I want to watch melting on her tongue.
But instead, I stand up and pull her into a hug.
"Let's get you settled, yeah?"
She sniffles and nods again, wrapping her arms around my waist and holding on for dear life. My heart breaks a little more, and a surge of protectiveness courses through me. I'm gonna destroy whoever hurts this woman. Starting with the guy who's already given her the finger.
But first, we need to figure out the logistics.
"Are you okay staying here for a while?" I ask.
She nods. "Yeah. But I can't keep mooching off you guys. I'll need to find my own place eventually."
"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it, alright? You're welcome here for as long as you need."
"Thank you." Her voice is small, and my grip around her tightens.
I press a kiss to the top of her head and then gently extricate myself from her embrace. "C'mon. Let's get your stuff sorted, and then I can order us some dinner."
Iris nods and picks up her duffel bag, her expression already shifting from vulnerable and uncertain to determined and focused. "I'd kill for some Pad Thai," she says with a wry smile.
"Noted." I chuckle.
We make our way upstairs and get her settled in a guest bedroom with her belongings. She looks a little overwhelmed, surrounded by a pile of her clothes and tattoo supplies.
"Take your time, Iris," I say softly, squeezing her shoulder. "I'll be downstairs when you're ready."
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
As I walk down the hallway, I'm already dialing my brother's number. Iris needs a little distraction, and there's no one better for the job than Axel. It will give me time to deal with the Lyon situation.
Ax picks up after a few rings, and I fill him in on the problem.
"You think it's a good idea, bro?" he asks, sounding dubious.
"Honestly, no. But we owe her, and besides, she needs a safe space right now."
"You really think that's all this is about? The safety?"
"What the fuck are you implying?"
"Dude, chill."
"Don't tell me to chill. You know what she's been through."
"I do, and I'm not saying she's a liability or anything, but..." He hesitates. "I'm not sure we should be getting any more involved in this. For her sake and ours."
"Too late," I growl, the image of Iris's tear-streaked face flashing before my eyes. "Besides, it's just a little fun. I'm not plannin' on proposin' or some shit. Just a rebound fling, and a chance to make her feel safe and good. It's the least we can do, man."
Ax sighs. "Fine, I'm down. But we need to have a word with her, and make sure she's really on board with this. It's one thing to blow off some steam with a hot chick, but if we cross that line and it's not just a fling, you're not the one who's gonna have to pick up the pieces. You feel me?"
I grit my teeth, a mixture of frustration and desire churning in my gut.
I can't believe my brother has the audacity to question my motives.
Iris isn't just some random fuck, she's a friend.
And yeah, I'll admit I'm attracted to her.
But my primary focus is her safety, not getting in her pants.
Well, that's not entirely true.
My dick twitches at the thought, and I adjust myself through my jeans.
I'm a grown man, not a fucking teenager.
I can handle this situation, and Iris, with maturity and respect.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, bro," I grumble.
"Alright, cool. Call me when she's settled and we'll set something up. Sounds like we need to have a conversation anyway."
"You got it. See ya later, man."
"Later."
I end the call and slip the phone back into my pocket.
A conversation.
Shit.
That's gonna be fun.
I make my way back downstairs and order the Thai food. When it arrives, I set the bags of steaming takeout on the kitchen counter.
"Dinner's here!" I call up the stairs. There's a muffled reply, and a few minutes later, Iris appears.
She's changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top, and her hair is pulled up into a messy bun. She looks good enough to eat, and I have to remind myself that this is a casual hangout, not a date. I'm her best friend's dad, for fuck's sake. Just because my daughter isn't here doesn't mean I get to fuck Iris senseless against the wall.
"Smells amazing," she says, grinning as she walks into the kitchen.
"Help yourself," I reply, gesturing to the spread.
We serve up plates of Pad Thai, spring rolls, and fried rice and settle on the couch with our food.
I flip on the TV, scrolling through Netflix until we settle on a light-hearted comedy. As we eat, our bodies lean closer together, our hands brushing. Each innocent touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. When our plates are empty, I set them aside and turn to face her.
"So," I say, taking a deep breath. "I feel for you, Iris, but I don't think it's appropriate for you to live here with me... alone."
Her eyes widen in shock, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "Oh. Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep."
"No, no, that's not what I mean," I rush to reassure her. "I just don't want people talking about you. Your reputation, and mine, could be on the line. And I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about us."
"The wrong idea?" she repeats, her brows knitting together.
"Yeah. Look, Iris, I want you to feel safe and comfortable here, and if people start talkin' about us, they'll assume there's more going on between us than there actually is."
Her gaze flickers down, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind. "Right," she murmurs. "Of course. Sorry, I didn't mean to make things weird."
"It's not weird," I say quickly. "But I want you to understand where I'm comin' from. I have a lot to lose, and you have a reputation to rebuild. So, what I'm suggesting is that we find you a place close by, and maybe Ax can help out, too. And when you're ready, you can move in. What do you think?"
"Okay," she replies, a hint of relief in her voice. "That sounds fair."
"Good."
"I'm really sorry, Viper," she says, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. "I didn't mean to complicate your life."
"Don't sweat it," I say, returning her smile. "I'm glad you're here."
I can't deny that I'm disappointed.
I wanted her, and not just for the night.
But I need to be a gentleman and keep it in my pants.
There will be plenty of time to seduce her, once we've got a safe place for her.
"I'm glad you're here, too," she says.
She looks like she wants to say something else, but then she leans forward and brushes her lips against mine.
My heart stops.
"Iris," I say, pulling back slightly. "I can't. Not yet."
She frowns, her brow furrowing.
"Why not?"
"Because..." I take a deep breath. "If I kiss you, and things go further, you might regret it. You just went through a nasty breakup, and the last thing I want is for you to wake up and hate me."
"Viper, I could never hate you," she says, a sad smile playing on her lips. "And if I'm being honest, I need this. I need you. Maybe it's just a rebound fling, and maybe not. But if you can't get past the fact that you're my best friend's dad, and the age difference, then it's okay. We don't have to take it any further. But if you're worried about me, don't. I know what I want, and what I'm capable of handling. And I trust you, Viper."
Her words resonate in my mind. She's right. This is just a bit of fun, a way to help her heal from the trauma of her recent breakup. And if she's willing to put her trust in me, then I'm not going to let her down.
I pull her closer, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and my hands explore her body. We're both gasping for air when we finally break apart.
"Wow," she breathes, her eyes glazed over with lust. "You kiss better than any other guy I've been with."
I stand up. My head is pounding. I think of my chip, and the last time I lost it, drank myself stupid. Iris was there.
"I should go," I say, heading for the door.
"Wait!" She stands and rushes after me. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," I mutter. "Just need some air. Need to clear my head."
She follows me outside. I pause, turning back to her. "Go back inside, Iris. Lock the door. I'll be back soon."
She shakes her head. "No. You're not okay. Tell me what's going on."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. You're white as a sheet, and you're shaking," she whispers.
"Fuck." I turn away, running a hand through my hair. "Just go back inside, Iris. Fucking now."
I hear her gasp behind me.
"Viper. Please. Talk to me."
"Jesus, Iris, I'm trying to protect you," I say, whirling around.
"Protect me from what? Myself?"
"Yes!" I roar.
I can't stop myself.
"From the fact that your ex is an abusive, controlling motherfucker! That you were so fucking naive and desperate, you got involved with the fucking Devil's Sons! That you put your whole life, and my daughter's, at risk, because you were too blind to see what was happening right under your goddamn nose! And that you've spent your entire life being manipulated by every guy you've ever been with, and that you still don't see how fucked up that is! And that even though I know all of that, and should fucking hate you for it, I can't help but feel sorry for you. Because you're so fucking broken, so goddamn damaged, that no one could ever love you. You're just a broken doll that keeps falling back into the same patterns, and no matter how hard you try, or how many times you break, you'll never escape it."
The words tumble from my lips like poison, and when they finally stop, the silence is deafening.
Iris stares at me, her face a mask of pain and betrayal.
"Get the fuck out of here," she whispers, her voice hoarse. "Just leave me the fuck alone."
I'm torn. I want to take her in my arms, tell her that none of what I said is true.
But the words are already out there, and there's no taking them back.