CLAIMED BY THE VIPER

Chapter 9: The Safe House

The night air whipped against my face as I guided the bike through the winding backroads. Elena's arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, her body pressed against my back, and I could feel the rapid thud of her heartbeat through the layers of leather and denim. She was terrified, but she trusted me. She had placed her life in my hands.

I wouldn't let her down.

The safe house was a small cabin hidden deep in the woods, miles from the nearest town. I had kept it secret from everyone, even Cross. It was my insurance policy, a place to disappear if everything went wrong. Now it was going to be Elena's sanctuary.

I pulled the bike to a stop and cut the engine. The sudden silence was almost deafening. Elena climbed off, her fingers trembling as she removed her helmet. She looked so fragile standing there in the pale moonlight that my heart clenched with a fierce, protective instinct.

"Where are we?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"A safe house. No one knows about this place. Not the Vipers, not the feds. Just me."

She looked around at the dense forest. "What if they find us?"

"They won't. I made sure of that. You're safe here, Elena. I promise."

I led her inside and lit a lantern. The cabin was small but functional, a single room with a bed, a wood-burning stove, a table, and a few shelves stocked with canned goods. It was spartan, but it was warm and secure.

"There's a bathroom in the back," I said. "You can clean up, get some rest. I'll keep watch outside."

She turned to look at me. "You're not staying?"

"I can't. I have to go back. If I stay away too long, Bishop will get suspicious."

"But what if something happens to you?"

I stepped closer, my hand cupping her face. "Nothing's going to happen to me. I have something to come back to now."

She stared at me, her lips parting slightly. I wanted to kiss her. But I couldn't. Not yet.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," I said. "Stay inside. Keep the doors locked. Don't answer for anyone except me."

"Promise me you'll come back," she whispered.

"I promise. I'll always come back for you."

I arrived at the clubhouse just before dawn. The compound was quiet. I slipped through the back entrance and made my way to my room. The ledger was still hidden in my jacket, the photographs stored on my phone. I had everything I needed to bring Bishop down.

But first, I had to deal with Spider.

I found him in the garage, his back turned to me. He didn't hear me approach.

"Spider."

He whirled around, reaching for his weapon, but I was faster. I grabbed his wrist and shoved him against the workbench.

"What the hell”

"I'm delivering a warning," I said, my voice cold. "You stay away from her. You don't look at her, you don't talk to her, you don't even think about her. If you do, I'll kill you. Slowly. Painfully."

Spider's face went pale. "You're crazy. Bishop's not going to like this."

"Bishop doesn't have to know. But if you tell him, I'll know. And I'll make sure you regret it."

I released him and walked out, leaving him trembling against the workbench. I had made my point. But I knew it was only a matter of time before he crossed the line.

The day passed in a blur of preparation. I copied the photographs onto a secure drive and hid it beneath the floorboards. I reviewed my escape routes. I was ready for anything.

But as the sun began to set, I felt a familiar restlessness. I missed her. I had to see her.

I rode back to the cabin. When I reached it, I saw a light flickering in the window. She was still awake.

I knocked. The door swung open, and she stood there, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

"Dante," she breathed. "You came back."

"I told you I would. I keep my promises."

She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight embrace. I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her hair.

"I was so worried," she whispered.

"I'm fine. I'm here."

She pulled back, her green eyes searching my face. "What happens now?"

"Now we wait. I have everything I need. The feds are going to move soon. And when they do, this will all be over."

"And then what?" she asked. "What happens to us?"

I didn't have an answer. But I knew I wasn't willing to let her go. She had become my reason for everything.

"Whatever happens," I said, my voice rough with emotion, "we'll face it together. I promise."

She nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. And in that moment, I felt something shift inside me. I wasn't just fighting for revenge anymore.

I was fighting for her.