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)
"That motherfucker," Viper growls, his fists clenching at his sides. "I'll kill him."
"Viper," Rosa warns, but her own eyes are blazing with fury.
I try to push myself up, wanting to appear stronger than I feel, but a sharp pain lances through my back.
I cry out, collapsing back onto the floor.
"Don't move, honey," Candy says, her hand gentle on my shoulder. "We need to get you to a hospital."
The thought of more strangers seeing me like this, touching me, examining me... it's almost too much to bear.
But I know she's right. I nod weakly, fighting back tears.
"I'm so sorry," I whisper, though I'm not sure who I'm apologizing to.
Maybe to all of them. Maybe to myself.
Rosa leans in, her voice fierce but kind. "This is not your fault, Iris. You hear me? None of this is on you."
I want to believe her.
God, I want to believe her so badly.
But shame and self-doubt claw at me, insidious voices whispering that I should have been stronger, smarter, on alert.
As Viper calls for an ambulance, I close my eyes, trying to shut out the world.
As he pulls out his phone, I close my eyes, fighting another wave of tears.
I should be stronger than this.
I'm Iris fucking Ashton.
I've dealt with asshole exes and creepy clients.
I've reinvented myself more times than I can count.
But right now, lying broken on the floor of my own club, I feel utterly powerless.
"Stay with me, Iris," Viper's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. He's on the phone with 911, his tone clipped and urgent. "Help's coming. You're gonna be okay."
I want to believe him. I want to be the badass he sees me as.
But right now, all I can do is lie here, hurting and afraid, waiting for whatever comes next.
I reach out, desperately grasping for Viper's hand.
My fingers find his, and I cling to him like he's my lifeline in a storm.
His skin is warm, calloused, familiar.
It grounds me, even as my world spins out of control.
"Everything is gonna be all right, baby girl. I promise." Viper's voice is low, soothing.
I want to believe him so badly it aches.
The words hang in the air, heavy and suffocating.
Pure, unadulterated rage transforms his face.
His jaw clenches, a muscle ticking.
His eyes, usually warm when they look at me, have gone cold and deadly.
It's a reminder of the man he used to be, the monster who spent fifteen years behind bars.
He meets my gaze, and I see the storm of emotions there—fury, pain, and underneath it all, a fierce protectiveness that both comforts and terrifies me.
A shiver runs through me, equal parts fear and... something else.
Something I'm not ready to examine too closely right now. "Viper," I whisper, my voice cracking. "I..."
But I don't know what to say.
I'm torn between wanting him to hold me and never let go, and the irrational fear that he'll see me differently now.
Damaged.
Weak.
Instead, I tighten my grip on his hand. "Just... stay with me? Please?"
His expression softens, just a fraction. "I'm not going anywhere, baby girl. I've got you."
The wail of sirens pierces the air, growing louder as they approach.
I flinch at the sound, my body tensing reflexively.
Viper's hand tightens around mine, a silent reassurance.
"They're here," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that grounds me.
The club doors burst open, and two EMTs rush in, wheeling a stretcher.
Their efficiency is both comforting and terrifying.
This is real.
This is really happening.
"Ma'am, can you tell us your name?" one of them asks, kneeling beside me.
"Iris," I manage, my voice barely above a whisper. "Iris Ashton."
They work quickly, asking questions about my pain level, what happened.
I answer, feeling oddly detached from my own body.
"We need to stabilize your neck and back before we move you," the other EMT explains. "This might be a bit uncomfortable."
I nod, bracing myself.
As they carefully fit the neck brace, I can't help but think how surreal this all is.
Just hours ago, I was feeling powerful and in control. Now...
They secure me to the backboard, and the pain that shoots through me is blinding.
I bite back a scream, tasting blood where I've bitten my lip.
"Easy, baby girl," Viper says, his voice tight with concern. "You're doing great."
As they lift me onto the stretcher, one of the EMTs turns to Viper. "We're taking her to Tinsel Creek Central. It's the closest trauma center."
Viper nods, his expression grim. "I'll be right behind you."
As they wheel me out, the Montana cold hits me like a wall.
I squint against the harsh sunlight, suddenly missing the dim interior of the club.
"Viper," I call out, panic rising in my chest.
He's there in an instant, his face filling my limited field of vision. "I'm here, Iris. I'm following right behind, okay? I'll meet you there."
I want to nod, to say something, but the words won't come.
Instead, I watch as he grows smaller, the ambulance doors closing between us.