Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Lyon's head snaps to the side, his eyes wide with shock.
"Don't you ever fucking touch me again," I spit, my voice dripping with venom.
For a moment, he just stares at me, his cheek reddening where I struck him.
Then, to my utter disbelief, he starts to laugh.
It's a harsh, grating sound, devoid of any real humor.
It sets my teeth on edge and my spine prickling, every instinct screaming danger.
"Oh, Iris," he chuckles, shaking his head. "You really are a piece of work, you know that? No wonder he’s so obsessed with you."
Shame and anger war within me, knotting my stomach and flushing my skin.
“Go to hell.”
Lyon's smile sharpens, his eyes glinting like chips of obsidian.
He leans in close, his breath hot and stale against my cheek. "Oh, I'm sure we'll both end up there eventually," he murmurs, his voice low and intimate. "But Viper's already in his own personal hell, thanks to you. And as for me..."
His hand slides down my arm, his fingers biting into my wrist.
I try to jerk away, but his grip is implacable.
"My brother isn't here to save you now," he says softly, almost gently. "And neither is that sick fuck Viper. It's just you and me, Iris. Just like old times."
At that moment, Allegra lurches against Lyon, her face a sickly shade of green.
She retches, and the next thing I know, a geyser of vomit is erupting from her mouth, splattering all over Lyon's expensive suit.
"What the fuck!" he screams, shoving her away in disgust.
She stumbles, nearly falling, but I lunge forward and catch her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"You fucking bitch!" Lyon spits, frantically brushing at his ruined clothing. "This is Armani, you stupid cunt!"
Ironic he’s wearing a designer suit, but I guess when Viper bought Satin Dreams it put a little money in his and his brother’s pockets.
I barely hear him, too focused on keeping Allegra upright.
She's sagging against me, her head lolling on my shoulder.
"Bathroom," I mutter, scanning the crowded club. "We need to get you to the bathroom."
I half-carry, half-drag her through the throng of sweaty bodies, ignoring the dirty looks and annoyed grumbles as we push past.
Finally, I spot the neon sign for the ladies' room and stagger toward it, shouldering the door open.
The bathroom is blessedly empty, the bass of the music muffled by the walls.
I ease Allegra down onto the tiled floor, propping her up against the wall.
"Stay here," I tell her, brushing her hair back from her sweaty forehead. "I'm going to get you some water."
I hurry to the sink, grabbing a handful of paper towels and wetting them under the faucet.
As I'm pressing the damp cloth to Allegra's face, the bathroom door swings open.
A woman steps inside, dressed head to toe in sleek black clothing.
She regards us impassively, her face an expressionless mask.
"Ms. Beckett?" she says, her voice crisp and professional. "Please come with me. Your father has sent me to escort you to his office."
I stare at her, my brow furrowing. "His office? Why would Viper have an office here?"
The woman's lips thin, a flicker of impatience crossing her features. "Because Mr. Beckett owns this establishment," she says coolly. "Now please, follow me so we can get Ms. Beckett cleaned up and in some fresh clothes."
Owns this establishment?
Since when did Viper get into the nightclub business?
And why the hell didn't he tell me?
Anger and hurt swirl inside me, but I push them down.
Right now, Allegra needs me.
Viper and his fucking secrets can wait.
"Fine," I snap, hauling Allegra to her feet.
She sways against me, groaning softly. "Lead the way."
My mind races as we navigate the crowded club, the pulsing beat of the music at odds with the turmoil inside me.
Viper owns this place.
Of course he does.
Is there anything in this goddamn city that doesn't have his fingerprints all over it?
I grip Allegra tighter, my best friend now a dead weight against my side.
She mumbles something incoherent, her head lolling onto my shoulder.
"Hang in there, Allegra," I murmur, my lips brushing her hair. "We're going to get you sorted out."
The woman leads us to a nondescript door at the back of the club, punching in a code on the keypad.
It beeps and unlocks with a soft click.
She ushers us inside, and I find myself in a dimly lit hallway, the walls lined with abstract art that probably costs more than I make in a year.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Viper
A call from my GM Sophie, and now I'm on my way to Headliners to check on my girls.
Sophie said she saw Allegra vomit on a customer and told me she was trashed.
I know the girls are going to go out and have fun, but damn.
"What the fuck is she doing here?"
I park the car a block away, and the moment the key is out of the ignition, I'm on the move.
I head inside and head straight for my office.