Taking Her Innocence (Killer of Kings 1)

“Why did you let me live?” Bain asked. “You and I both know that I wouldn’t have done that for you.”

“I have my reasons. So, how have you been?” Viper asked. He didn’t intend to kill Bain; he couldn’t. It was the one vow he had made when they had run together. In a twisted kind of way, Bain was his brother and his best friend.

Bain stepped away from the wall. He was bigger than Viper remembered, far deadlier as well. The man was covered in ink. Swirls of patterns and color went up his arms, and he guessed over his body. It was on his hands, and up his neck. He was just covered. “You got tats on your dick as well?”

“You know this is not going to end well for you.”

“I’ve got a problem with the man you’re working for,” said Viper.

“Then you’ve got to take that problem through me.”

Viper shook his head. “I can’t come with you. I’m being Boss’s bitch.” He burst out laughing. “Me, being someone’s bitch. It’s not the first time, and I doubt it will be the last.”

“I’m not here to laugh at your jokes or play games, Viper.”

“I know. It’s just kind of surreal. Been thinking about you for a long time, and to see you here, it kind of makes me feel shit, and yeah, I guess I missed your ass, which is fucking crazy, right?”

Bain simply stared at him as if he was a complete stranger, and Viper wasn’t going to lie, it hurt.

“I met a girl,” said Viper.

“I know.”

“So you do pay attention then.”

“I’m not in the mood for this, Viper. He wants the girl dead.”

“Did you know he can’t afford to pay you?” Viper asked.

“I’m aware of his situation, and I also know that with that girl dead, he’ll have access to millions. You’ve gone soft, Viper. I always make sure I get what I want. With his stepdaughter dead, it’ll be my biggest payday yet.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve gone soft. I’m simply in love.” He held his hands out. “You know if you take me in, Boss is going to kill my girl.”

Bain reached toward him, and Viper had a choice. He could either go with him, or he could fight. If Boss thought for a second that he didn’t fight, he may try to kill Pepper. There was no choice.

“This isn’t going to be easy, and I’m not going to be coming willingly.”

“I figured as much. You were always a hardass, Viper. Never doing what you were told to do.”

Viper shrugged. “I guess I have always been a bit of a rebel, and I can’t change who I am.”

He stared at his friend, seeing several new scars that hadn’t been there the last time.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“Viper, I always do my job, and I never switch sides.”

“I love this woman.” For a split second he was sure he saw some hesitation, maybe even a sign of guilt.

“Don’t you remember, Viper? Love makes you weak. Women are just for fucking, not for losing yourself over.”

He gritted his teeth, knowing that it was either kill or be killed with this man. He clenched his hands into fists, ready to fight, ready to take this man out. He was just about to throw the first punch when he heard the sound of squealing tires, and he looked over to see that Boss had finally decided to show his ass. Viper didn’t know if he should be happy or not.

Bain grabbed his gun, and raised it up, aiming at them. “What is the fucking meaning of this?”

Boss opened the side of the truck, and waved. “Ah, Bain, the guy I thought was long dead.”

“Nothing is going to kill me, old man. What the fuck are you doing here?” Bain didn’t lower his gun, and Viper also had his gun trained on Bain. He didn’t want to use it. Fuck, for the second time that week he was fucking conflicted, and he didn’t like it. Numbness was so much easier. Bain was the one guy he had promised himself he would never hurt, no matter what. Why did Sutherland have to go to him? Anyone else, and he’d have gladly ended them without a thought, but Bain was different. He was the only person that was alive from his past. Everyone else was dead. He’d killed them, but Bain, he was the only brother he’d ever known.