Page 78 of The Viper

“It’s the only way I can keep you safe.”

I wrap my arms around my torso, hugging my elbows close to my body. Looking around, I’m suddenly hyperaware of everyone in the café. My chest is weighted as I take a hesitant step backward. “We’re not safe?” Although it sounds like a question, it’s more like a dread filled observation. “We have to get away from here.”

“No, you’ll return home.”

I shake my head as I take another step backward. “Yeah, sure. And Eliza will go back to your brother where he’ll kill her. Sure, not a problem at all,” I say with venom.

“No, he won’t. He gave me his word that he won’t hurt her.”

I lift my brows as I shake my head. “You told him where we are?” My skin pebbles as ice tears through my body. “Do you know where we’re staying, Dominic?” He sits staring at me, not confirming or denying it. “Right.” I nod as my throat closes. “How long have you known?”

“Rose!” Finn’s irritated voice drags my hurt eyes away from Dominic. I walk over to the counter, grab the next two coffees and take them to the diners.

I walk back to Dominic and whisper, “You need to leave. And please, don’t come back. We’re done.” I have to return to the motel, pack our shit and find somewhere else to go. Somewhere Adrian can’t find us. I have no idea what’s happening. What I do know is staying here is no longer safe for Eliza, or me.

“We’re not done,” Dominic says as he stands, advances toward me, grips the back of my neck and passionately kisses me. God, I’ve missed him so much, but this can’t happen. He pulls back and searches my eyes. “We’ll never be done, Rosa.” He kisses the tip of my nose before leaving the café.

My inner darkness sparks alive. I want him, but... Adrian.

Chapter nineteen

Dominic

“What have you found about the car?” I ask Marco before he even has a chance to pour himself a drink.

“Well.” He pours two scotches, walks over and places one on the table for me. “The Fallen.”

“What about them?”

“They’re expanding.”

“The Fallen MC are expanding into the East Coast? They’re still active on the West Coast. Why are they here?” Marco lifts his glass and takes a sip while slowly shrugging. “Hmh,” I groan as I sit back in my seat. “What have they got to do with my girl?”

He cocks a brow as he brings the glass to his lips. “Word is they’ve been dealing with someone.”

“In what way?” My shoulders tense as I wait for Marco’s reply.

“Someone is feeding them information about the business, or selling it to them.”

“And you know this how?”

“I might have one of the road captains down in the dungeon.” His mouth pulls up into a small smirk.

“Might have?”

Marco stares at me with a cocked brow and slight snicker. “What can I say? He accidentally fell into the dungeon.” The snicker turns into a chuckle.

I throw the rest of my scotch back and stand from my seat. “It would be rude to let our guest wait.”

“I thought you’d feel that way.”

I shrug out of my suit jacket, sling it on the back of my chair, and begin rolling my sleeves up as we head toward the dungeon.

Once inside, I walk over to see the guy pacing back and forth behind the bars. He sees me and stops pacing. “Do you have any idea who I am?” I’m sick of these pricks throwing that line around.

I shove my hands in my pockets and lean against the wall opposite the cell. “I hear my organization has a rat.”

He sneers at me as he mimics my posture. He carelessly shrugs his shoulders. “I wouldn’t know.” His snicker indicates the opposite.

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