Read Online Vipers Run by Stephanie Tyler - Free Book Online

the background I came from . . . let’s just say, I’d have killed to have someone provide me with a safe way to make this kind of money. They’re going to do it anyway. If they do it with me, they’ve got a shot at getting on with their lives, or to keep going in this industry. Whatever floats their boat.”
    â€œSo going into the sex business helps unfuck things for them.”
    â€œIt’s not that easy a link. It’s probably more about control.”
    I could understand that, more than he knew, but I didn’t say anything. The reasons people made the choices they did were alternately fascinating and heartbreaking. “You take good care of these guys. Of me.”
    â€œI try.”
    â€œWho takes care of you, Tenn? Was there ever anyone special?”
    He smiled. “At one point, yes.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œHe ran into special forces and never looked back,” he admitted. “Probably better that way.”
    â€œOr maybe he’s thinking about you the same way you are him.”
    â€œYou’re very bad for me, Calla,” Tenn warned, then sighed. “You can stay here, hon. But I think you’re cheating yourself and I’m not sure why.”
    â€œHe’s dangerous,” I blurted out.
    â€œBest things in life usually are,” Tenn countered.
    â€œYou can keep me safe.”
    â€œOf course I can. But the thing is, Cage already set his sights on you. Once that happens . . .” He shook his head, like I had no idea what I was in for.
    â€œHe does this with a lot of women?”
    â€œActually, no. Never. But I’ve seen him with a single-minded focus before—in the military, with the MC. Whatever he puts his mind to, he accomplishes. He’s not an easy man, but he’s worth it.”
    He wasn’t easy, but a part of me didn’t want—didn’t trust—easy. Maybe because I’d never been either easy or able to trust.
    â€œI know you’re angry about Cage’s promise. Promises can be a freaky thing.”
    â€œAnd the fact that he was alive and didn’t tell me,” I added. “Let’s not forget that.”
    â€œCage and my brother kept me in blackout mode too,” he said.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œA couple of reasons. Because Cage is in trouble—there are people still after him. Because it was safer for you, and for me and my business—for the guys involved.”
    â€œBecause whatever Bernie and Cage were involved in, I’m involved in it too.”
    He didn’t deny it. But he didn’t expound on it either, deferring to Cage to tell me. Instead he offered, “Cage saved you in more ways than one. The only thing that stopped that was you taking Bernie’s picture.”
    â€œWhy’s that? They’d recognize you?”
    â€œMaybe. They’d definitely recognize Cage. Andif they’d been smart enough to take out the back of the picture, you’d find names and latitude and longitude.”
    â€œI should probably leave it with you, then.”
    â€œThat’d be best. I’ll make you a copy, though,” he told me. “Wait—you said leave it with me. That means . . . ?”
    I nodded. I’d met a protector in Bernie and now I had a friend and protector in Tenn. But with Cage, I might be able to have it all.
    * * *
    I left Tenn and went out to face the music. Cage was waiting, stretched out on the couch, his big black boots on the coffee table. His still-smoldering gaze met mine, as intense as a physical touch.
    â€œI already figured that any woman who fights a dying man’s wishes isn’t going down easy,” he said.
    I felt the need to point out the obvious. “You said you weren’t going to die.”
    â€œSo you did believe some of what I told you.”
    â€œThat situation was one of a kind. Intense.”
    â€œSo it would’ve been like that with