Taking Her Innocence (Killer of Kings 1)

She traced his muscles, and he loved the feel of her delicate touch on his body.

“But you didn’t.”

He used a crooked finger to lift her head. She looked up at him with those big, blue eyes, and he kissed her. This kiss wasn’t about sex or passion. Since he couldn’t write her flowery words, he’d show her how he felt. He gave her a piece of himself with the kiss.

They fell asleep in each other’s arms. It was like his past and all the pain were drowned out by Pepper’s sweetness. During these brief moments, he was a normal man, not scarred and damaged.

He woke up with a start, jerking up into a sitting position, his heart racing. How long had he been asleep? He’d had another nightmare. But this one was different. Pepper was out of reach, skirting the edge of a cliff, the ocean waves crashing far below. He beckoned her to come, but there were hired guns moving in on her from the other direction. His fear of heights wasn’t even an afterthought, but he was still too late to save her.

Even knowing it was all in his head, Pepper sleeping like an angel beside him, his nerves were on edge. He turned to the side, brushing some stray blonde hairs off her face. She looked even younger when sleeping, pure and beautiful. His wife. It might only be printed on a piece of paper, but it meant something. It was a commitment burned into every facet of his being. And he had to make things right. Boss wanted him to use her as bait, but fuck that shit. Viper wouldn’t risk her. This was all on him.

Viper quietly slipped away from the warm bed, Pepper’s vanilla scent clinging to the sheets. He cleaned up in the bathroom, staring at himself in the foggy mirror. He was going to be thirty-five soon, although he didn’t really have a birthday. Everything about his life was fabricated. He didn’t exist—he didn’t even have fucking fingerprints. Pepper was fifteen years younger, wholesome and full

of life, the last type of woman he envisioned for himself. In order to keep her safe, he had to put his happily ever after fantasy on the back burner. Tonight was all about death—death for everyone in his way.

He dressed in black, strapping on as much heat as he could carry. Maybe Bain would prove him wrong and have a fucking heart. He doubted it.

Before he left the hotel, he desperately wanted to write Pepper a good-bye letter in case he didn’t come back. He wanted to tell her that her unconditional love had changed him, awakened him. That she was his everything, and he’d do anything for her happiness, even if it meant his own death. Finally, he’d tell her he loved her, needed her, and wanted to be a better man because of her. A week with her was better than a lifetime without her.

Viper turned off the hall light. His life had always been a forfeit. Maybe dying a martyr was the only way to redeem his soul.

****

Pepper stretched and wiggled under the sheets, her body pleasantly sore. She was not expecting anal sex to be so satisfying. Just remembering that wildfire of sensation made her tingle all over, hungry for more. Viper had brought her to a level of pleasure she didn’t think was possible. The man was sex on a stick, and all hers.

The early morning sun peeked in through the cracks in the curtains. She wondered where Viper was. Pepper wrapped the top sheet around her body and made her wall to the hallway. “Viper?”

She frowned when he didn’t answer. And panicked after searching the entire suite and finding him missing. All she could envision was him dead, and her legs nearly gave out thinking about it. He could have walked away so many times, taken her money, and lived out his life in peace. But he’d stuck around, gave her the love she desperately craved, and promised her protection. And, she hoped, forever.

Now he had some death wish, probably back at her house on a killing spree. But he had no idea how insane her stepfather was. By now, he’d have increased his security, and then there was Bain, a dangerous weakness for Viper.

Why couldn’t he have just run away with her? What if she never saw him again? He might be a nightmare to most people, but she knew better. He was the only man to make her feel beautiful and special. He’d taken her virginity, shown her pleasures she never imagined possible. And he was her husband.

Pepper raced to get dressed, dancing into her clothes. She had to do something to stop him. Or was it too late?

The entire time she prayed he was just out getting food. She wanted him to walk through that door, his larger than life presence standing in the foyer.

She remembered the last time she’d gone in search of him, and how badly that had turned out. This time she’d be more cautious. Pepper cracked open the door and peeked outside. There were two huge men in dark suits on sentry duty. She eased the door closed and locked it tight. Her heart pounded, her adrenaline surge making her dizzy. Her stepfather had found her. Had he already killed Viper?

What am I going to do?

They were on the first floor so Pepper rushed around the suite, checking for any other exit. The bedroom window faced a busy street, and she couldn’t see any sketchy men lurking around. She needed Viper, needed his strength and confidence right now.

I have to do this myself.

Pepper slid open the window and struggled to get her leg out first. Why couldn’t she have cat-like stealth? She ended up falling onto the lawn in a heap, bruising her hip in the process.

As she got to her feet, brushing the dirt off her pants, she noticed a set of shiny black shoes. She held her breath, and looked up.

“Stay away from me,” she warned. Pepper eyed the street and then the stranger. If she had to she’d scream or make a break for the road.

“Relax. I’m here to keep an eye on you. Viper’s orders.”

Her mouth fell open. This hulking guy didn’t look friendly, but at least he wasn’t there to kill her. She nearly sank in relief. “Who are you?”

“I work for Killer of Kings. That’s all you need to know.”

She huffed. “Where’s Viper?”