Page 45 of The Viper

“No, I’m not,” he replies easily. Dominic sips his coffee while regarding me closely. “I’m merely stating a fact that what happened last night will happen again. Because not only did I enjoy it, you did too,” his tone is formal and assured.

I have nothing more to say to him, because yes, I loved it. But we just can’t do it again. Abandoning my breakfast, I stand, grab my plate and walk out of the dining room. Dominic’s laughter echoes, making me angrier than I should be. “Thank you for breakfast, Alba.”

She looks to the full plate and her shoulders lower. “Did you not like my food?” her voice breaks, but she takes the plate from me and scrapes it into the trash.

“It’s not that.” I look over my shoulder and shake my head. “The company put a sour taste in my mouth.”

She smiles and gently pets my hand. “You’ll get used to him. He’s a good man.”

Ugh, I don’t want to get used to him. I offer her a tight smile before leaving the kitchen. I head upstairs to my room to put on a pair of sneakers before going to find Dominic. He’s still in the dining room, eating his breakfast. “I was hoping you’d return.” He sees me standing by the entrance of the room. He takes in my shoes and arches a brow. “Are you going somewhere?” He lowers his flatware, pushes his plate away and places and elbow on the table.

“I’m heading into work, then I need to go buy a cell, and work on replacing all my cards.” I poke my tongue into my cheek as I pull my shoulders back to ask for a favor. “Could I please borrow twenty dollars? It’s just until I can get all my ID together, and I can get to the bank. I need some money for the bus.” I doubt buses come out this far, but I can only hope. If not, it’s going to be a long walk for me.

Dominic’s lips thin into a tight line. “No, you can’t borrow twenty dollars.” He spits the word in disgust.

“Fine.” I throw my arms up in surrender while turning to leave.

“Where are you going?” I storm toward the front door, completely irritated by his controlling ways. I reach the door, but hear his heavy footsteps on the wooden floor behind me. My arm extends to turn the knob, but his hands grab my waist and he spins me around. “I’m sick of repeating myself. I thought we cleared this up last night, Rosa.” He cages me to the door, not allowing me to go.

“Let me leave.”

“Not without me or my men.” My teeth worry my lower lip. Dominic leans his forehead on mine. “I need you safe,” he whispers. He closes his eyes and inhales a long breath as he skims his nose gently across my cheek.

“Who do I need to be safe from, Dominic?”

A low grumble vibrates deep inside his chest. My own heart flutters as every single second of last night floods my memory. No! I can’t do that again. “Rosa.” He lowers his head to brush his lips against my throat. I take in a deep breath to help gather my thoughts. Pushing him away, I stand tall against the door. Jesus, I want him to kiss me, hell, I want to jump him right now. But no. I have to remember who he is, and what he does. That’s not a man I want to be involved with. Dominic adjusts his suit jacket and stretches his neck. “We’ll leave in five minutes.”

“I can walk.” I turn to open the door, and he slams it shut before I get a chance to leave. I look over my shoulder. “What is wrong with you?”

He wraps his fingers around my wrist and drags me into his office. He slams the door and paces back and forth. His gait is fast. However, he also rakes his hand through his hair several times before stopping to face me. “Do you know anything about me?”

I’m taken aback by his question. “What do you mean?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“Dominic Sacco?” I reply slowly. “Aren’t you?”

He licks his lips and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “I have enemies, Rosa, and those enemies will do whatever they can to get to me.” I open my mouth to ask who his enemies are, but he holds his hand up to halt my question. “Ruben, Adrian, and I have enemies who’ll stop at nothing to bring our organization down. Including taking you.”

“Me?” I place my hand to my chest. “Why would they want me?”

“To get to me.”

“I don’t know anything.”

“No, you don’t. But...” He gulps and adds, “Like it or not, you’re a Sacco now, and that name implies danger.” He steps back, clearly misinterpreting my look of confusion for one of worry. “But I don’t want you to be scared.”

“I’m not scared, Dominic, but I’m not part of your family.”

He purses his lips together and with furious eyes looks past me while shaking his head. “I’m not putting you at risk.”

“But.” I step forward in an attempt to calm him.

“Enough.” He encroaches on my personal space, and I melt back against the door. “Enough,” he repeats softer. “You’re too important to me to risk letting anything happen to you.” His eyes dart down to my lips. “I’ll get a card with no limit set up for you, and I’ll take you wherever you need to go today. Also, I’ll have security for you.”

“This seems excessive.”

“In my world, it’s not enough.” He places his hand on the door knob, and turns it. “Shall we?” Dominic gestures for me to leave his office and once I do, he follows.

---