Page 22 of The Viper

“Go with Dante.” Ruben points toward the front of the yacht.

She slumps her shoulders and lowers her head, defeated. “Okay.” Courtney walks over to Dante and they both disappear.

What the actual fuck? “I apologize for her behavior,” Ruben starts. “Now, drink?” He smacks the top of the bar several times and the waiter pours two scotches into glasses.

I’m still in shock by the way he treated Courtney. “Um.” I look over my shoulder but Dominic squeezes my hand not to say what I’m thinking. Yes, Courtney was under dressed, but to throw her out like that. Man, that’s harsh.

“What is it?” Ruben asks as he hands Dominic a drink then offers me the other scotch. I shake my head as I look at the glass. I really want to say something about what I just witnessed, but I’d be lying if I don’t say I’m intimidated by Ruben’s presence. Hell, I’m even nervous around Dominic. “No?” He attempts to thrust the glass into my hands.

“I don’t drink often, thank you.”

Ruben’s forehead crinkles. He turns to the bartender and opens his mouth, before turning to me and lifting his shoulders. “She’ll have a Sprite,” Dominic speaks on my behalf.

I feel like telling them the other guy was going to get me one, but I don’t really think it’s going to make any difference. “Give the girl a Sprite,” Ruben says easily.

Who would’ve thought a Sprite could be such a big deal?

Ruben takes the glass with my soda and hands it to me. “Thank you.” I take it and suddenly find myself in an awkward position. The tension in the air is thick and suffocating. I feel like I’m an unwanted guest, and I suppose I am. But I’m not here for either Dominic or Ruben, I’m here to see my sister. “When will Eliza be arriving?” I look to Dominic, then Ruben hoping one of them offers me an answer.

“Adrian is on his way,” Ruben answers as he pulls his shoulders back.

“And Eliza, right?” I’m only interested in her.

“Yes, Eliza will be joining him,” Ruben’s voice remains strong with his deep tone. But something flitters across his face. It’s a tiny tremor beneath his eye, something that many would easily miss. But I saw it, and judging by the way he straightens, he knows I witnessed it too.

“This is a beautiful yacht,” I say trying to deflect his suspicion of me. Though I doubt a man like Ruben Sacco is easily deflected.

“Once Adrian and his wife arrive, we’ll be setting sail,” Ruben announces. I turn to Dominic and silently question him. He gives me a small head shake with a squint of his eyes. Am I not supposed to ask anything? “We’ll be eating dinner out under the stars.”

“Little bro,” I hear from behind me.

I turn to find Adrian sauntering into the room. It’s amazing his ego allowed him access through the door. I look behind him, hoping to see my sister. I hold my breath, waiting.

Dominic’s fingers tighten and he pulls me into him as I crane my neck to search for my sister. “Adrian,” Dominic says as he releases me and extends his hand to shake his brother’s.

“You didn’t tell me you’d be bringing...Rose,” Adrian announces as if dirt drips from his mouth. He closes the gap between us and Dominic wraps his arm around my waist, stopping Adrian from advancing further. “Rose.”

I see my sister walk into the room, and I break out of Dominic’s grip and run to her. “Eliza,” I say as I throw my arms around her.

“What are you doing here?” she whispers. “You need to go.”

I pull back and look at her. Jesus, she’s a shell of her former self. How can she change so quickly? Adrian’s eyes are scalding my skin, and when I turn my suspicions are confirmed. He’s standing at the bar, nursing a scotch while his eyes are locked on me. Thinking quick, I offer the three men a wide smile. “I haven’t seen my sister in what feels like forever, do you mind if we sit outside for a while?”

Ruben’s body has softened, and his gaze is focused on Eliza. I glance to Dominic whose steely eyes are dedicated on me. “Go ahead,” Dominic allows.

I don’t wait for the other two, I link my arm with Eliza’s and lead her out to where there are deck chairs toward the front of the yacht. “Why haven’t you called me?” Eliza is wearing an elegant white dress with an attached hood that’s draped over her head. Her eyes haven’t left the floor since she’s been here. I sit her down, and take both her hands in mine. “Eliza?” I force her to look up at me. Her eyes are red and puffy, though she’s tried to cover the effects of crying with makeup. “What’s going on?”

“I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“If you called me and didn’t try to shut me out, then I wouldn’t be. What’s happening?”

“Nothing,” she replies robotically.

I lift my hand to tuck some loose hair behind her ear but she flinches away. “Let me in, let me help you,” I say. “Is it Adrian?” Her jaw tightens and she quickly shakes her head. Yeah, right.

“It’s nothing like that, really.” Eliza lifts her head and offers me a small, fake smile. I know something is going on, I just don’t know what.

“Why did you marry him?” I hate having to ask such a painful question. “You clearly don’t love him.”

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