The Vipers Temptation | Completed

Chapter 14 - Strippers

"I hate you right now," I whisper lowly while digging my nails into Nico's thigh.

"Want anything else, sugar?" A fake blonde asks Nico while batting her eyelashes and sticking out her overly large breasts. Yes, he took me to a strip club. He's a romantic like that. Apparently, this friend of his is a leader of a motorcycle club, Satan's Tides, and they operate the local strip club, Molly's.

Nico removes my talons before answering the stripper. "No thank you."

That's when the blonde skank turns her eyes toward me. "How about you, darling? Want a lap dance?" I stare in disbelief as it registers that she was talking to me.

Nico snorts while trying and failing to hold in a laugh. "As sexy as that would be, she's good."

"Her loss." The stripper, whose name is Bambi, purrs before sauntering off.

"That did not just happen. This is your fault." His heated eyes trail down my body as if he owns it. "Where are these friends of yours?"

"Nico, my dear friend." Shouts some old man in a biker cut. That answers that question. "Who is this beauty? Another recruit?"

"Excuse me?" Nico squeezes my leg in warning.

"Ah, still hasn't been tamed, I see." The older man exudes power, and I swallow my unease.

"Who do you think-"

"Work in progress." Nico interrupts. I must refrain from smacking him upside the head.

The older man grunts in acknowledgment before signaling to one of the waitresses with barely any clothing. She brings over a bottle of some fancy whiskey before leaving. He pours two glasses for him and Nico. I guess I'm not worthy of a drink.

"I see. If you want, I can have one of my men help?" This motherfucker. He better not be talking about me, or he'll find my foot up his ass.

"Not needed." I glare at Nico. I've known him less than three weeks, and already, he has had me ready to commit murder on multiple occasions, usually involving him.

"So, what are you doing here? The next shipment isn't due for another two weeks." The man says while sipping on his drink before glancing at the stage where a new dancer is just starting her routine.

"It's not about that. We ran into some trouble and need somewhere to lay low." I can tell that Nico doesn't like to be questioned by the slight clenching of his jaw. He should really worry about his teeth grinding like that.

"So, you bring trouble to my town?"

Nico fully clenches his jaw in anger before glaring at the man. "I think you've forgotten who you answer to. So no, I don't owe you a fucking explanation, Val." I'm not getting the brunt of Nico's anger, and yet even I'm scared. And slightly turned on. I know. I have issues.

"You're right. My apologies. Feel free to stay as long as you need and enjoy any girl on us tonight." A cowering weasel is the perfect way to describe Val right now.

"I need a burner." When Val produces one, Nico grunts, "Leave us." Val practically runs away from our booth. "Never, and I mean never, talk back to one of my associates again. Do you understand?" I sit there gaping at Nico, who still has a fire in his eyes, ready to battle. Well, so do I. When Nico sees my challenge, he sighs. "Maybe I've been too lenient with you." He takes my arm and drags me toward the back hallway that leads to an office. He shoves me in before slamming the door behind us.

"Nico, I-."

"Quiet." Nico quickly dials a number and holds up the phone to his ear. "It's me. Yeah, they never showed, but we had some surprised visitors...we're in Val's town and need a lift...wonderful...pick us up at the club...bye."

"What was that about?"

"Getting us a ride. Now listen, you cannot, and I mean ever talk back to me in front of my associates again. If you do, I'll be forced into a corner. Do you understand?"

"Okay," I say.

"Good, now let's go back."

"Do we have to?"

"Come on, you big baby." Nico grips my hand and guides me back towards our booth.

American Woman by Lenny Kravtiz blares through the speakers as a blonde woman takes the stage. A couple of bikers stand around the bar and I step in closer to Nico's side.

Once we're back in the booth, I keep my back to the stage and focus on Nico. "This is your life, huh?"

Nico leans in closer to me. "What do you mean?"

"Strippers, bikers, drugs, getting shot at...I mean this is normal for you?"

Nico meets my gaze and studies me for a moment before answering, "My life is never boring."

"You could say that," I mutter as I grab his drink and take a sip. "Sometimes I think my life is too boring and predictable." I mumble to myself, but of course Nico hears it.

"You can safely say that's no longer the case," Nico grins.

I hold up his drink, "I can, thanks to my crazy psycho neighbor," then take another drink.

"You forgot hot," Nico adds with a smirk. Is he flirting with me?

I lean in closer, "I think you mean irritating."

"You said sexy wrong."

Laughter pours out of me, and I lean my head against his chest. Nico chuckles and I can hear it in his chest.

"It's a strong drink, isn't it?"

"Maybe a little," I giggle. "Did you know you smell really good? You would think after almost dying, killing a bunch of people, and trapsing through the woods, you'd smell terrible. But no, you still smell good." I pause then groan, "Like really good."

"I think that's enough alcohol for you." Nico removes the glass from my reach.

I pat Nico on the cheek, "I'm going to rest my eyes for a minute, don't look at any of the bimbos, okay?"

"Of course."

***

"Are we interrupting something?" Is the phrase that slowly drags me from my slumber. How I fell asleep in the middle of a strip club beats me. I rub my eyes sleepily then glance at the speaker.

"Viking?" I ask confused.

Luca smiles at me, "Remember it's Luca, doll."

"Right, sorry." I'm still slumped against Nico's chest. I sit up and discreetly wipe my mouth to make sure there's no drool.

"Ready to get out of here?"

"He sent you?" Nico asks while standing out of the booth.

"I was the closest." Luca replies.

"Where's your tag along?"

"In the car. You ready?"

"So ready," I tell him as I follow Nico out of the booth.

"Good because it's going to be a long car ride back to the city."

"The city?" Nico asks.

"Yeah, change of plans. You're going to be staying at the penthouse for now." Nico nods in understanding.

I guess I'm just along for the ride.