Page 101 of The Viper

“Ugh.” I roll my head back and groan. “It’s too much, Dominic.”

“Then close the doors.”

“No, I can’t do that, and you know it. So many people will be out of a job if I do that.”

“You have your choices. Make them.”

“Fine.” I hang up without any further conversation. His over-protective ways can send a girl crazy. But my inner darkness rubs her hands together and jumps for joy.

Shut up, what would you know?

Chapter twenty-five

Dominic

The knock on my door takes my attention away from the laptop. “Yeah,” I call as I scrub my hand over my eyes. The door squeaks open and Eliza gives me a small smile. I stand and button my jacket. “Eliza, how can I help you?” I walk over to the door and hold it open for her.

“Um.” She looks around my office and nibbles on her lower lip. She’s hunched over and her eyes dart around my office. “Can I um... I mean, is it okay if... um.” She shakes her head and takes a step backward. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

What the fuck did my brother do to her? “Can I help you with something?” I gesture for her to enter into my office. “Please. Take a seat.” I sweep my hand toward the sofa. “Would you like a drink?” Hesitantly she tip-toes into my office. Her arms are wrapped around her torso and when she sits on the sofa, she tries to make herself as small as possible. “Water? Coffee?”

“Um, no, thank you, sir.”

“It’s Dominic, Eliza. Not sir.”

She lowers her chin and gives me a small nod. “O-okay,” she stutters.

I sit at my desk, close the laptop before I turn to face her. “What can I do for you? Do you need something?”

Eliza brings her legs up to the edge of the sofa and she wraps her arms around them, drawing them closer into her chest. Her behavior is child-like, as if she’s in trouble and doesn’t know what to say. Did my brother do this to her? “Um.” Her breath quickens and her eyes flutter as she stares down at the top of her knees. “Is he dead?”

My brother has completely screwed her. “No, he isn’t.”

“Oh.” She’s trying to hold onto her sadness. “Did you know?”

“About what he was doing to you?”

Her eyes snap up to me and she takes in a severe breath. “Not about that, but the other things.”

What the fuck is she talking about? “Like what?”

“All of it? Do you know why I had to...” she pauses and smashes her lips together. “M-m-marry him?” Again, what the fuck is she talking about? “About the other m-m...” She shakes her head. The other what? “He never told you, did he?”

This is something both Ruben and I need to know. “Why did you marry Adrian, Eliza?” She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “Other what? Finish the sentence.”

Eliza’s eyes widen as she shakes her head with force. “He never told you.” She lowers her chin to balance it on her legs. What kind of secret shit was he doing? “Do you know where he is?” she asks in a small voice without looking at me. She struggles to keep eye contact. My brother has broken her.

“No,” I reply honestly.

“I have a small favor to ask you, Dominic, but you can’t tell Rose.”

I’m not agreeing with anything until she asks the favor. “Which is?”

“Please, promise me you won’t tell Rose. This’ll break her if you tell her.”

My arms strain beneath my jacket as I stare at the fragile girl sitting in front of me. “The only promise I’ll keep is that I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you’re safe.”

Eliza’s eyes redden and tears quickly roll down her cheeks. “Will you keep Rose safe from him?”

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