Page 44 of Viper

“Guess we’ve got our big boy to thank,” Havoc said, clapping Troy on the shoulder.

The two of them exchanged a knowing look that made her cheeks burn.

Troy didn’t strike her as the type to kiss-and-tell, but the glint in Havoc’s eye revealed that he knew something had happened between them.

His stare landed on Paige and he cleared his throat. “Happy you’re good, darlin’. Who wants coffee?”

She raised her hand and Atlas gave a brisk nod.

Reaper all but ignored them and went straight for the hissing coffeemaker Troy had set last night. His shoulders drooped with fatigue.

“You look like shit,” Troy said.

“Not everyone slept as good as you, Viper,” Reaper retorted.

Paige inched her gaze toward Atlas, whose eyes zeroed in on her with question.

She forced a smile so her face wouldn’t give way to guilt. “You boys hungry? We were just about to make breakfast.”

Atlas crossed the room and sat down at the kitchen table in the chair adjacent to her. “Sure.” He continued studying her, and her cheeks flamed.

“All right,” Troy said. “Guess I’m cooking. Where you guys staying?”

“I managed to find a place down the street,” Atlas said, still looking at her. “Not far at all. Four bedrooms. Havoc and Reaper already agreed to share, so you’ll have your own room.”

Paige thinned her mouth. This wasn’t a conversation she’d have right now, especially with all the guys in the room.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to just stay here instead of bunk with a houseful?” asked Havoc, placing down mugs in front of Atlas and her. “What’s the difference?”

Atlas’s face hardened. “It’s just different, that’s all.” He reached for the creamer, his face pinched in a scowl.

Wraith pulled out a chair opposite her brother. “Striker, I think you should ask the lady where she wants to stay.”

If she could have commanded the floor to swallow her up, she would’ve. She took the cream from her brother’s hand before he was even done pouring.

“I agree,” Havoc said. “Not really fair to leave Viper by his lonesome.”

Wraith chortled. Paige tried to hide her grin. Good lord. All of Atlas’s friends were rooting for Troy and her. The idea made embarrassment flood her, but for some reason amusement tried to steal her schooled expression. She lifted her mug to her lips and sipped.

“Then you stay with him,” Atlas shot back.

Paige snorted, then clapped her hand over her mouth to avoid spitting coffee.

Atlas’s frown deepened. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing’s funny. It’s just—” She threw her gaze around the kitchen and finally locked eyes with Troy again. She gave him a Help me look.

“We’ll discuss sleeping arrangements after breakfast. Let’s all just eat in fucking peace, all right?” Troy’s tone didn’t carry any anger, but a warning hovered in it.

Worry knotted her insides. Slowly, she shifted her eyes to her brother’s. Atlas stared at her with concern.

She reached over and took his hand. He squeezed, silently conveying they were good. But it wasn’t Atlas and her she was worried about.

Her brother flicked his gaze toward Troy’s turned back. Unveiled irritation was written in every knowing line of his face.

Whatever happened, she needed to make sure Atlas and Troy’s friendship didn’t suffer.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not fucking my sister.” Striker leaned against the kitchen counter with his arms folded tightly over his chest.