C.D. Gorri

Merciful Lies Lies can be merciful. It just depends on the why. Anna:I knew the second I saw him, my life would change forever. When my brother offers me as payment to Nico Fury, the king of the Vipers, how can I refuse? Tattooed, built, and tall, he was the only man I saw when I walked into the room. It was like he occupied all the available space, sitting on his throne of blood, sweat, and lies. Nerves assailed me, but I owed my brother too much to let anything happen to him. One night. That was all. But it would leave me wrecked. Actions always had consequences. Six months later, my brother was killed by a rival organization, and now they were after me. There was only one place I could go to keep my unborn baby safe. I just hoped the king would be merciful. Nico Perfect things didn’t exist, at least not in my experience. But she was pretty close. I had her in my bed for one night, and I couldn’t shake the memory. No, I wasn’t meant to keep soft things like Anna Keller. My life belonged to my crew, and we were a vicious group. Hell, we weren’t called Vipers for nothing. But she was different. She made me want, and I loved and hated her for it. Anna was light in a world of constant darkness. She was all warmth and beauty like no other. And I craved her like a drug. Six months had passed since I took her in return for clearing her brother’s debt to me, but that man attracted trouble like honey did flies. It wasn’t long before I learned Sam Keller had gotten himself killed. Less than an hour later, Anna came back to me, on her knees, asking for sanctuary. I knew the moment I saw the swell of her stomach she was carrying my baby. Anna thought coming here would protect her, but she was walking right into the Viper’s nest. Before I was finished, my little runaway would be begging me for mercy.

Jersy Bad Boys

It’s dry and scratchy, and I need water or something to drink. But I can’t talk just yet. 


I’m stuck somewhere between sleep and wake. 


Flashes flit through my troubled mind. 


Moments of consciousness followed by moments of cold, empty, dark. 


“Easy mija, Mami is here,” my mother’s voice dances inside my ears. 


“Everything looks good on her chart. We just have to wait. It’s up to Mia—” I think that must be the doctor, but I don’t remember. 


It doesn’t matter because he is being interrupted. 


“Her name is Maria,” a familiar voice says, correcting the stranger, and I feel like I could cry and laugh at the same time. 


He’s not hurt or worse. Matteo didn’t get him. 


I don’t want to be in the dark anymore. 


I hate the hospital. It smells bad, and everyone is always poking and prodding me. I just want to leave. 


Chapter Thirty-Five-Maria&Luc