Page 109 of Viper

“You should get that wet shirt off too, dude,” Striker said, when he stood.

Troy waved him off. He didn’t feel cold anymore. He had too much fire in him. “I’m fine.”

He approached Havoc, who stood at the stern with a flashlight dangling in his hand.

“Where’s that cocksucker?”

“Tied and gagged downstairs. Christ, man, it’s a miracle you two got out of there alive.” His friend’s face had lost its color.

Troy firmed his mouth. “I felt something in the water. Paige said she saw a shark.”

“More than one, bro. Scariest shit I’ve ever seen.” He clicked off the light. “They were circling us awhile, probably looking for more food. Hopefully they’re gone now.”

Troy moved toward the slider. “You comin’ with me?”

“Sure.”

“Aye, me too.” Wraith sidled up beside them. “Wouldn’t miss this for the fecking world.”

Troy nodded and strode inside, his muscles jumping with every step. Anticipation sizzled his skin.

He could spend all night putting bullets in Craig, and time was limited.

Paige leaned against her brother’s side. Sometimes she forgot that he was the big, bad “Striker” and not just a pain in the ass.

He rubbed her arm. “How’s your hand?”

Reaper had returned with the first aid kit, and Atlas had cleaned the wound and wrapped it with gauze.

“Sore. It’ll be fine, though.”

“I know I already said this, but I’m so damn glad you’re okay.”

She pulled her knees close to her chest on the bench seat. “I knew you guys would come for me.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Damn right.” A beat passed. “You nearly killed my friend, you know.”

She turned to frown at him. “What do you mean?”

He smiled fondly and flicked the end of her nose. “Never seen Viper so scared in my life. He was a fucking mess.”

Her belly twisted. “I hate that.”

“Well, it showed me how much he cares for you.”

Her heart swelled in her chest. Troy’s last words to her on the phone—I love you—rang in her head.

As much as she’d reveled in hearing his confession, part of her had assumed he’d said it because of the intensity of the moment. That maybe he’d been so caught up in the thought of not seeing her again that the words had fallen from his mouth before he could stop them.

“I care for him, too.”

“No shit,” he said with amusement.

She elbowed him. “Can we go home now?”

“As soon as Viper’s ready.”

She sent a nervous glance toward the slider. No sounds came from inside, but that didn’t stop the angst sitting heavy on her shoulders. “Should we just hand Craig over to the police? I don’t want—” She wet her lips. “I don’t want Troy going to prison.”