Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Viper

The fireplace crackles, casting dancing shadows across Iris's face as she curls up next to me on the couch.

The warm glow softens her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheek and the shine in her dark eyes.

I take a sip of hot chocolate, savoring the rich sweetness on my tongue.

It's a small luxury, but one I never thought I'd experience again during those long years behind bars.

"This is nice," Iris murmurs, her head resting against my shoulder.

Her straight black hair falls like a curtain, tickling my arm. "I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed Christmas Eve."

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer.

The scent of her shampoo mingles with the aroma of chocolate and pine from the tree in the corner. "Me neither, sweetheart. Fifteen Christmases in a cell kinda takes the magic out of it."

She looks up at me, concern flickering in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

I shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile. "You didn't. Being here with you, it's making new memories. Better ones."

Iris relaxes against me, taking another sip from her mug.

The fire pops and hisses, sending sparks dancing up the chimney.

"I still can't believe how much my life has changed in the past few months," Iris says softly. "If someone had told me back when I was working at Mysterious Ink that I'd be spending Christmas with you, pregnant with your child, I would've laughed in their face."

I chuckle, the sound rumbling in my chest. "Life's funny that way. If someone had told me I'd be out of prison and curled up with a gorgeous tattooed goddess, I would've told them to lay off whatever they were smoking."

Iris giggles, the sound light and musical.

It makes my heart swell to hear her laugh.

After everything she's been through, she deserves some happiness.

"Goddess, huh?" she teases, arching an eyebrow at me. "I think the hot chocolate's going to your head, Viper."

I set my mug down on the coffee table, freeing up my hand to trace the intricate tattoos that wind their way up her arm. "Nah, just stating facts. You're a work of art, Iris. Inside and out."

A slight blush colors her cheeks, visible even in the dim firelight.

It's endearing how she can go from confident stripper to shy girl in the blink of an eye.

I love both sides of her equally.

"You're not so bad yourself," she murmurs, running her fingers along the tattoos that cover my bicep. "Although I think you might be more of a god of war than anything else."

I flex playfully, earning another giggle from her. "Hey, I can be nurturing too. Look at me, all domestic with my hot chocolate and Christmas tree."

Iris snorts, nearly choking on her drink. "Oh yes, very domestic. I'm sure all the guys you used to run with would be very impressed."

For a moment, my mind flashes to those old days—the violence, the constant looking over my shoulder, the thrill of power.

I push the thoughts away.

That life is behind me now.

I have too much to lose.

"They can think what they want," I say, my tone growing serious. "All that matters to me is right here in this room."

Iris's expression softens, and she sets her mug down next to mine.

She turns to face me fully, her dark eyes searching mine. "You really mean that, don't you?"

I cup her face in my hands, marveling at how delicate she feels despite her tough exterior. "Every word, sweetheart. You and Allegra, you're my world now."

A shadow passes over her face at the mention of my daughter, but she doesn't pull away.

Instead, she leans in, pressing her forehead against mine. "I wish things were different with her. I miss her."

I sigh, running my thumb along Iris's cheekbone. "I know, baby. I do too. But we've got to give her time. She'll come around eventually. I did text her and let her know that you're not living in the apartment I got for the two of you, and that she's free to stay there whenever she'd like to come back in town. I'm sure everything will be okay, Iris."

Iris nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes.

I wish I could erase it, make everything perfect for her.

But life's never that simple, especially not for people like us.

"Hey," I say, tilting her chin up so she meets my gaze. "Let's not think about that right now, okay? It's Christmas Eve. We should be celebrating."

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. "You're right. I'm sorry for bringing the mood down."

I shake my head, brushing my lips against hers in a gentle kiss. "Nothing to be sorry for. Your feelings are always valid with me, Iris. Never forget that."

She deepens the kiss, her fingers tangling in my hair.

When we finally break apart, we're both a little breathless.

"So," she says, a mischievous glint in her eye. "How should we celebrate?"

I grin, pulling her onto my lap. "Well, I can think of a few ways..."

Iris laughs, playfully swatting at my chest. "Down, boy. I was thinking more along the lines of a Christmas movie or something."

I groan dramatically, flopping back against the couch cushions. "You're killing me, woman. Fine, what did you have in mind?"

She hops up, practically bouncing with excitement as she moves to the entertainment center. "How do you feel about 'Die Hard'?"

I can't help but laugh. "A woman after my own heart. You sure you don't want something more... traditionally Christmas-y?"

Iris turns to me, hands on her hips.

The firelight casts a warm glow on her skin, making her tattoos seem to shimmer and move. "Vincent Beckett, are you trying to tell me that 'Die Hard' isn't a Christmas movie?"

I hold up my hands in surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart. Turn it on."

As she busies herself with setting up the movie, I take a moment to really look at her.

The way she moves with such grace and confidence, the little furrow of concentration between her brows as she fiddles with the remote.

I still can't believe she's here, that she chose me despite everything in my past.

Iris settles back onto the couch, curling into my side as the opening credits start to roll.

I wrap my arm around her, pulling the throw blanket over both of us.

"This okay?" she asks, glancing up at me.

I press a kiss to the top of her head. "It's perfect."

As John McClane's adventure begins on screen, I find my attention drifting.

Not to the past, or to worries about the future, but to the present moment.

The warmth of Iris against me, the soft crackle of the fire, the twinkling lights on the tree.

For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel at peace.

"Hey Iris?" I murmur, not wanting to disturb the moment too much.

"Hmm?" she responds, her eyes still fixed on the screen.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

She snuggles closer, intertwining her fingers with mine. "Merry Christmas, Viper."

As the movie plays on, I allow myself to imagine a future filled with more moments like this.

Quiet evenings by the fire, lazy Sunday mornings in bed, family dinners with Allegra.

It's a dangerous thing, hope.

But looking at Iris, feeling the steady beat of her heart against my chest, I can't help but believe that maybe, just maybe, I've found my shot at redemption.

The fire continues to crackle, casting its warm glow over us.

Iris shifts slightly, her dark eyes turning to meet mine.

The flickering firelight dances across her face, highlighting the delicate tattoos that adorn her skin.

She bites her lower lip, a telltale sign that something's on her mind.

"Viper," she says, her voice soft but tinged with concern, "have you heard anything from Allegra? I've been trying to reach her, but..." She trails off, her brow furrowing.

I feel a pang in my chest at the mention of my daughter.

The rift between us is still raw, a constant reminder of my past mistakes.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.

"No, I haven't," I admit, my voice gruff. "She's gone radio silent on me too."

Iris's eyes widen slightly. "But how can you be sure she's okay? I mean, with her blocking my number and all..."

I hesitate for a moment, weighing my words carefully.

There's so much I haven't told Iris about my past, about the world I used to inhabit.

But as I look into her eyes, filled with genuine concern for my daughter, I know it's time to let her in a little more.

"She went back to college early," I say, my fingers absently tracing the tattoos on my forearm. "I know she's safe."

Iris tilts her head, curiosity piqued. "How do you know that? Did she tell you?"

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Not exactly. I've got someone watching over her, keeping her safe."

"Someone watching her?" Iris echoes, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath, knowing that once I start down this path, there's no turning back. "Remember when I told you about my time inside?" I ask, my voice low. Iris nods, her eyes never leaving mine. "Well, since getting out, I've been... reconnecting with some old contacts. Getting back to my roots, you could say."

I watch as understanding dawns in Iris's eyes.

She doesn't pull away, but I can see the wheels turning in her mind. "So, you're saying you've got someone from your old life keeping tabs on Allegra?"

"Something like that," I confirm, my voice steady despite the tension I feel building inside me. "It's not just about Allegra, though. I'm building something here, Iris. Something that'll keep us all safe, provide for our future."

I pause, searching her face for any sign of fear or judgment.

But all I see is the same fierce, enigmatic woman who's captured my heart. "I know it's not exactly conventional," I continue, "but it's a world I know how to navigate. A world where I can make sure nothing bad ever happens to the people I care about."

Iris's face clouds over, her dark eyes flashing with a mix of emotions I can't quite pin down.

She sets her mug down on the coffee table with a soft clink, the sound unnervingly loud in the sudden silence.

"Viper," she says, her voice tight, "I don't like this. The risk... it's too high."

Her hand unconsciously moves to her belly, still flat but harboring our growing child. "What if something goes wrong? What if you get caught up in something and they take you away again?"

I lean forward, my elbows on my knees, and meet her gaze unflinchingly. "Nothing bad is going to happen to me, Iris. Not ever again." My voice is low, intense, carrying the weight of my conviction. "I've learned from my mistakes. I know who to trust now, and more importantly, who not to."

Iris shakes her head, her straight black hair swaying with the movement. "You can't promise that, Viper. No one can."

I reach out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the delicate bones beneath her tattooed skin. "I can promise you this: everything I do, every move I make, it's all for us. For you, for the baby, for Allegra. I won't let anything jeopardize what we have."

She doesn't pull away, but I can feel the tension in her fingers. "I'm just... I'm scared, Viper," she confesses, her usual cocky demeanor cracking slightly. "For the first time in a long time, it feels like my life is actually put together. I have you, the baby, a real future ahead of me." Her eyes, usually so bold and challenging, are now vulnerable, searching mine. "I can't lose that. I can't lose you."

The raw honesty in her words hits me like a punch to the gut.

I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her, feeling her warmth against my chest. "You won't lose me, Iris. I swear it." I press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair. "What we have, it's not just some fling. It's everything to me. You, the baby, the life we're building... I'll do whatever it takes to protect that."

I pull back slightly, a mischievous glint in my eye. "Speaking of our life together, how about we start celebrating early? Would you like to open one of your presents tonight?"

Iris's face lights up, her earlier worry melting away. "Really? I mean, yes, absolutely!"

I can't help but grin at her enthusiasm.

It's moments like these that remind me how young she is, how full of life despite everything she's been through.

I stand up, my muscles pleasantly sore from our cozy position on the couch, and make my way to the Christmas tree.

The lights twinkle, casting a warm glow across the room. I pick up a small, square box, wrapped in shimmering silver paper with a deep purple ribbon.

"Here," I say, handing it to her as I settle back onto the couch. "This one's special."

Iris takes the box, her fingers tracing the edges with a delicate touch that belies her usual boldness.

She tugs at the ribbon, letting it fall away before carefully peeling back the paper.

I watch her face, savoring every micro-expression of anticipation and excitement.

She lifts the lid of the box, revealing a single key nestled on a bed of velvet.

Her brow furrows for a moment in confusion before her eyes widen in realization.

"Iris," I say, my voice low and earnest, "I want you to live here with me. Full time. Move in, make this place ours."

For a moment, she's speechless, which is a rarity for my tattooed firecracker.

Then she launches herself at me, her lips crashing against mine in a passionate kiss.

I return it with equal fervor, tasting the lingering sweetness of hot chocolate on her tongue.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, I cup her face in my hands. "We'll get through to Allegra, too. It'll take time, but we'll make it work. All of us, together."

Iris nods.

She stands up suddenly, placing her mug on the coffee table. "Your turn," she says with a grin, extending her hand to me. "I've got a surprise for you, too."

I raise an eyebrow but take her hand, letting her lead me out of the living room.

We walk down the hallway, our footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, until we reach my study.

Iris flicks on the light, illuminating the room in a soft glow.

"Jake helped me with this," she explains, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice. "I hope you like it. It's one of your gifts."

I step into the room, curiosity piqued.

What could she have possibly put in here that required Jake's help?

My eyes scan the familiar space, looking for anything out of place.

My gaze lands on something new in the corner—a large glass tank outfitted with heat lamps.

I approach it slowly, my heart rate picking up as I realize what's inside.

A snake, its scales shimmering under the warm light, coils lazily around a branch.

"What kind is it?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I'm mesmerized by the creature's beauty, its power evident even in repose.

Iris steps closer, her shoulder brushing mine. "It's a Burmese python, a granite morph. Isn't he gorgeous?"

I nod, unable to take my eyes off the snake. "He's magnificent. But why...?"

She turns to me, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Remember that night, after your bender? You were pretty out of it, muttering 'daddy sees snakes.' It stuck with me. I thought... well, I thought this might be the perfect gift. A reminder, maybe."

The memory hits me like a punch to the gut.

That night feels like a lifetime ago, but the shame of it still lingers.

I'd been weak, falling back into old habits, risking everything I'd built since getting out.

But Iris had been there, pulling me back from the edge.

I tear my gaze away from the tank to look at her, really look at her.

This woman who's seen me at my worst and still chooses to stay.

Who's giving me a second chance—at love, at family, at life.

Without a word, I pull her against me, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

I bury my face in her hair, breathing in her scent—a mix of vanilla and something uniquely Iris.

"I hope this is the only snake I see ever again," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. "Because I'm not going to fall off the wagon again. Not when I have so much to live for."

I feel her relax into my embrace, her arms circling my waist. "I believe in you, Viper," she whispers. "We're in this together."

Standing there, holding Iris close with the quiet presence of the python in the background, I feel a sense of peace I haven't known in years.

The road ahead won't be easy—dealing with Allegra, navigating my return to old business, keeping Iris and our baby safe—but for the first time, I truly believe I'm up for the challenge.