Prologue

PROLOGUE

Viper

6 months ago…

My life was never a bed of roses.

It was a life built on the blood and bones of others. I was born in the slums, and I'd never known a home.

My mother was an addict who sold her body for cash. She was always so high that she never even bothered to get to know me. When I was nine, she overdosed and died right in front of me.

The only person who took care of me after that was my best friend. We grew up together. At the time, she was the daughter of the only good guy I ever met.

When her father got caught up in a gang, I had no choice but to join them. I was young, angry, and had no hope.

He was my father, too, and I was a fool for trusting him. After his only daughter died in a shootout, the bastard had it pinned on me.

I was a good guy, but I was framed, and it ruined my life.

I had a daughter and a wife, and because I was a wanted man, I could never go home.

That's what broke me.

That's what made me the monster I am.

But now, I'm a free man. Fifteen years behind bars, and I came back home to a daughter I'd never even met. Allegra hates my guts, I can tell.

I'm trying my best to win her over, but she's her mother's daughter.

Iris, though, she's another story.

Allegra's best friend, and the girl who makes me question all the vows I've ever taken.

I can't have her, but God knows how badly I want her.

I stare at Iris across the dining table, barely holding back my anger as she speaks.

"Can't you even pretend to care?" Allegra asks, crossing her arms.

"About what?"

"My future."

I roll my eyes. "You're eighteen, Allegra. You've got a whole life ahead of you. You got accepted into college, and you're going. You don't need my permission."

"Yes, but..."

"No, no 'buts,'" I say. "Your grandfather paid for college, and you're going."

"Iris isn't," she says, glancing at her best friend. "Why is it that she can stay with you, and I can't?"

I glance at Iris, showing her how displeased I am that she's here.

My daughter is eighteen, and her friend is a few years older.

She's got the kind of body I want to sink my teeth into.

Her curvy thighs are thick, and her waist is impossibly small.

The way she's sitting now, her skirt has ridden up her thighs.

Her hair is up in a ponytail, and she looks so innocent.

But I know better.

I can see her, the real her.

She's got a dirty little mind.

She wants me to bend her over and take her like a whore.

Her eyes are begging me to do it.

I look away, focusing back on Allegra. "None of my concern. And she doesn't live here, Allegra, she's staying for a few days."

"Yeah, and then she'll move out, and I'll be gone to college. That's a long time, Dad."

"It is, and it'll fly by before you know it. Now, eat your breakfast."

Iris's eyes find mine, and I see the mischief in them. She's got something up her sleeve, and I have a feeling I won't like it. I finish eating and get up, going straight to my office.

"Viper," Iris calls, following me.

"What do you want?"

"You could try and be nicer to your daughter. You're being an ass."

"And you should mind your own business," I growl. She closes the door behind her, and I see her shiver. I bet her panties are wet right now. She loves being close to me.

She loves seeing the monster, and I bet she'd love it if I took her right here, right now.

"I know you don't want me here, but Allegra asked me, and I can't say no to her."

"You should have said no," I tell her.

"Well, she's my best friend. Why can't I stay with you? I mean, she's right. She's leaving. You'll be here. And I can't exactly go home," she mutters. "I don't have one, remember?"

"Right. Because you burned it down," I say, taking a step closer as I open the door wide. "Don't forget what you did, Iris. You're a dirty little criminal, and I don't want you in my house."

"You're a criminal too," she reminds me, licking her lips. "Or did you forget what you did, Viper?"

"Don't call me that. It's Vincent."

"I like calling you Viper," she says, her voice dropping lower. "It's hot."

I can't help myself. I grab her and pin her against the wall. Her big blue eyes go wide as she stares up at me.

"This is a mistake," I whisper.

"Please," she whimpers. "Don't."

I can smell her arousal. Her body is begging me to fuck her. She's so sweet and yet so bad. I shouldn't touch her, but she's begging me to. I grab her hair and pull her head back, making her look at me. Her lips part, and I see the desire in her eyes.

"I'm never going to make a mistake with you," I hiss. "You're not worth making a mistake for."

I push her out of my office and slam the door in her face before leaning against the wood. Deep, calming breaths rock me as I try to forget what just happened.

She's the only woman I've ever wanted, but I can't have her. She's Allegra's best friend.

I'm a monster.

I'll be strong. I'll be good.

I'll be a man she can be proud of. Because that's what Allegra needs. I owe it to her to be a good father, and I'll be the best one possible.

I'm a man. I'm in control of myself. And when Iris looks at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I won't break.

I won't.

I'm strong.

I'm a fucking beast. I'm Vincent “Viper” Beckett.

And no one tells me what to do.

I'll never touch Iris.

I spin around and stare at my desk. My chip is right there. Twenty-two years sober now. Longer than the girl has been alive. I've been clean for longer than I was addicted. I've had more pain and loss than anyone should have to deal with, and yet, I survived.

I'm not about to throw it all away.

Not even for her. For a piece of ass. She's the one who could destroy me. And that's why I have to stay away from her.

I run my fingertips over the chip. I wonder if we have any booze in the house.

Maybe I should drink.

Just a taste.

I know where Allegra keeps the vodka.

One shot.

Just one.

***

I wait until the girls are asleep before I go looking for the bottle. It's not a great idea, and I know that. But my mind is a dark place. I need something to distract me.

I go downstairs, but I stop dead in my tracks. Allegra and Iris are cuddled up on the couch. The TV is off, and they're fast asleep. They look so peaceful, so happy. My heart aches.

I'm an asshole. A fucking monster. And my daughter doesn't even know the truth. She's never going to.

"You girls are going to be the death of me," I mutter, taking a deep breath as I walk through to the kitchen.

There are still some beers in the fridge, but I grab the bottle of vodka in the cabinet, heading out onto the balcony. The cold night air wraps around me, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I hate myself. I hate the man I am. The man I've always been.

"Why does the monster always get the girl?" I ask the sky, closing my eyes.

It's not fair. I'm not the man Iris deserves. She needs a man who will protect her. I'll hurt her. Because that's what I do.

"Why can't you just be good?" I ask. "Why does this have to be so damn hard?"

I unscrew the bottle cap and bring the bottle to my lips. I close my eyes and let the burning sensation calm me. The liquid runs down my throat, and a few seconds later, the warmth hits. I feel the world spinning.

I can't stop.

One drink leads to two, and two leads to more. Soon, the entire bottle is gone. I'm drunk. So, so, drunk. I'm a mess.

"Fuck," I mumble, stumbling back inside.

"Viper?" Iris calls, waking up. "Are you okay?"

"Peachy," I hiss, trying not to stumble.

I make my way past her and into my office, but not before grabbing another bottle from the cabinet. My vision's swimming, and I can barely see.

"What are you doing?" she whispers, standing in the doorway.

"Mind your own business," I spit, falling back on my chair. She takes a few steps toward me.

"I don't need you," I hiss.

"Yes, you do," she whispers, and suddenly, she's kneeling between my legs. I want to push her away. I want to scream and shout.I want her to leave. But I don't. Because deep down, I know she's right.

"You can't fix me, Iris. No one can," I hiss, taking a sloppy swig from the bottle. My vision is blurring so much, and I can feel my mind going into overdrive.

"You can," she tells me. "You're strong."

"Am I? Or am I just a pathetic addict? A failure."

"You're not a failure," she whispers, cupping my cheek.

"Leave. Please." I groan and drink more. Anything to forget.

"Why?" she whispers.

"Because you can't be here. Not with me," I hiss.

"Do you really want me to go?" she asks.

"Yes. No. I don't know," I hiss, slamming the bottle down on the desk. Iris grabs it and sets it aside before placing her hands on my thighs, but I'm too far gone now.

I remember this part of addiction–I used to call it a bad trip. Nothing makes sense. I no longer recognize the woman before me.

No, not woman–she's a girl.

A young girl. My daughter?

"Get away from me, honey," I manage. "I don't know who you are."

"It's me, Mr. Beckett, you know me," she whispers.

"Don't care," I say, shaking my head. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Iris."

"Fuck off, Iris," I snap.

"No. Not until you stop this. You've had enough. You're drunk. You're scaring me." She does look scared, her big blue eyes swimming with fear.

"Go home. Please," I beg, running my fingers through her hair. I grab the bottle before she can stop me, and finish it off.

"I'm not leaving you alone," she says.

"I'm not asking," I snap, my tone getting harder.

"You can't stop me."

"Watch me," I growl.

She's so sweet, so innocent. How could I ever hurt her?

"Don't. You're a good guy, Vincent. You can do this," she whispers.

"Don't call me that," I hiss, grabbing her arm and pulling her onto my lap.

She lands awkwardly, straddling my hips.

"Viper," she whispers.

"There, that's better. My name. You can't be here, though," I whisper. "I can't resist you. You're so beautiful. So good."

"So bad," she whispers.

"That's it," I say, pulling her closer. "You're so bad. So sweet. I bet you're so wet for me."

She bites her lip. "Please."

"No, baby, please," I beg. "Please don't go. I want you. I can't have you, but fuck, I want you."

"Why not?" she asks, her voice breaking.

"Because... Because..."

I can't remember.

I'm so drunk.

Why am I even awake right now? Oh, because of her.

She's still straddling me, and suddenly, the room is spinning. My stomach churns. Monsters creep from the shadows, and all I see is darkness.

"I can't..." I say, pushing her off me.

"Viper?"

"You're the devil," I whisper. "Sent to ruin my life. And fuck, you're good."

"Viper, you're not making any sense," she tells me, trying to stop me from falling.

"I have to go," I mutter. "Go away."

"Where are you going?" she asks.

"Anywhere," I whisper, trying to push her away. "Anywhere I don't have to look at you."

The house is spinning on its axis as I crash into the hallway, and my knees buckle beneath me.

I land face first on the hardwood floors, and I groan as my forehead cracks, blood pooling on the hardwood. I raise my head and see them again.

The snakes.

They come out every time I do this. Long, slithering, hissing creatures that want me dead.

They're everywhere. On the floor, the walls, the ceiling. In my head.

"Viper?"

"Not now, baby," I growl. "Daddy's seeing snakes again... You know you have to run."