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Riley swallowed hard, the weight of her brother’s debt and the threat of Snake’s retribution hanging over her like a dark cloud. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but she was willing to take the risk to protect her brother and herself. Someone knocked on the door.
“Boss, our important guest is here,” reported one of Snake’s men.
“I’ll be right there,” Snake answered, rising from his chair.
As Snake turned to leave the room, he glanced back at Riley one last time, his gaze cold and calculating.
“Choose your actions wisely, Riley. Your life may depend on it. I trust you can see yourself out.”
With that ominous warning, he left, leaving Riley alone with her thoughts and the knowledge that she was now entangled in a dangerous game with the Black Vipers and the Death Seekers.
****
It was 3:00 AM by the time Riley walked home from the bus stop. It had been a rough night at the Vipers’ clubhouse. After Breaker’s intervention and that talk with Snake, the hours seemed to drag on. All Riley wanted to do was go to bed.
Riley looked over her shoulder, her senses suddenly on high alert. She couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling of being watched, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and adrenaline.
As she approached her apartment building, her exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she couldn’t let her guard down.
Just as she reached the entrance, a chilling voice cut through the silence. “Well, well, look who’s here.”
Riley’s heart skipped a beat as she turned around to find Rat watching her. He was unmistakably drunk, his eyes glinting with malice.
“What do you want?” Riley demanded, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
Rat grinned menacingly, taking a step closer, his movements unpredictable.
“You think you’re too good for me, huh? Rejecting me like that in front of everyone,” Rat said, spitting at her feet.
She knew Rat intended her harm. Riley knew she had to act fast. She couldn’t afford to let this encounter escalate any further. Her mind raced, searching for an opportunity to escape.
Before Rat could react, she swiftly pulled her pepper spray from her purse and sprayed it directly into his face. Rat yelped in pain, temporarily blinded and disoriented. Seizing the opportunity, Riley dashed toward the entrance of her apartment building. Rat snarled. He quickly recovered, lunging after her.
As Riley fumbled for her keys, her heart pounded in her chest. She managed to unlock the door just in time, but Rat was closing in fast. With a surge of strength, she slammed the door shut, the echo of his fist pounding against the wood ringing in her ears. Riley leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath, but she knew she couldn’t stay there for long. Rat wouldn’t give up that easily.
With adrenaline coursing through her veins, she quickly ran up the stairs to her apartment, hoping to find safety inside. But as she reached her floor, she could hear Rat’s heavy footsteps following close behind.
Fumbling to find her keys again, Riley finally managed to unlock her apartment door. As she rushed inside, she slammed the door shut and quickly bolted it. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she leaned against the door, panting and trembling with fear.
But the danger was far from over. Rat was now furious, his threats growing louder from outside the door. “You can’t hide from me forever! You and your brother will pay for my humiliation!”
Riley leaned against the door, her breathing harsh. Rat unloaded more obscenities at her, but finally he went away.
Riley curled into a protective ball on the floor. Oh, God. What had she just done? Didn’t she promise Snake only a few hours ago that she’d be on her best behavior from now on? She didn’t imagine the crazed look in Rat’s eyes. That bastard probably intended to harm her, rape her even. Was she supposed to just let it happen? Riley’s mind raced, knowing she didn’t have any other choice. She had to find a way to protect herself and her brother.
She finally got up. She walked to the window and saw Rat getting on his Harley. He continued shouting threats at her. Riley had to make a decision. She couldn’t let fear paralyze her—she had to be strong, for her own sake and her brother’s.
Swallowing her pride, Riley picked up her phone and dialed a number she never thought she would call.
“Breaker,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear in her heart. “We need to talk.”
“Riley, what happened? Are you okay?” Breaker asked.
She could hear the concern in his voice and it touched her. After all, Riley was a stranger to him and yet he was willing to go the mile for her.
“I’m fine, but we have a problem,” Riley replied. She wasn’t even sure why she was whispering. No one was watching her.
“Tell me,” Breaker urged.
