Page 97 of The Viper

“I’ll ask Alba to bring you some food.”

“Thank you.” Eliza tucks her hands under the pillow and closes her eyes.

Guilt overtakes me because I really shouldn’t leave her alone. But I have to go to work. “I’m going for a shower.”

“I’ll be fine, I promise.”

I head into the bathroom, heavy with guilt because I can’t stay with Eliza.

“Where are you going?” Dominic asks when I walk into his office.

“Work.” He lifts a brow and I wait for the argument. “Nothing?”

“What are you talking about?” He pushes his chair back and taps his knee. “Are you expecting me to forbid you from going into work?” I head over and sit on his lap and drape my arm around his neck.

“I’d like to see you try.” I bend and give him a kiss. Memories of our erotic time in his office floods my mind.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “When will you learn?” He angles his torso away from me, lifts his phone, taps out a message to someone, then places it face down on the table. I narrow my eyes at him. “What?”

“You’re up to something.” I place my hand to his taut chest. “What are you up to?”

There’s a knock on the door, and I instantly move but he grabs my hips and keeps me sitting on his lap. Two guys walk in, dressed in suits. One is older, maybe in his fifties. He has salt and pepper hair, and is stocky in build. The other is younger, maybe in his thirties with dark eyes. So dark they may even be black. “Mr. Sacco,” the older one says.

“Rosa, this is Varo.” Dominic indicates to the older one. “And Orzo.” The other gives me a curt nod.

I smile to them awkwardly. “Hey.”

“They’re your security,” Dominic announces proudly.

“Seriously?” my voice elevates as I slowly turn to look at Dominic. My brows are lifted, and a fake what-the-fuck smile is plastered on my face.

“Thank you, gentlemen.” Both of the men leave, closing the door behind them.

“Bodyguards? Really?”

“Eliza will have security too.”

“She’s curled up in bed, I don’t think she’s ready to go anywhere in a hurry.”

“Well, you need to understand that as part of this family, your security is my priority.”

I stand and walk away from him. “Next you’re going to tell me that you forbid me to work.” I jut my hip out and place my hand to it. “I don’t want security.” He turns to open his laptop, completely disregarding my opinion on security. “Dominic.”

“You don’t have an option. Wherever you go, they go with you.”

“No, they won’t.” I shake my head at him, frustrated that he’s not listening to what I want.

He snorts with sarcasm. Dominic sits back in his chair and arches a brow at me. “What’s the problem, Rosa?”

“You didn’t ask me.”

“No, I didn’t. Nor am I going to when it comes to your safety.”

I clench my hands together, ready to stomp my foot like an entitled teenager. “You should’ve asked me.”

“No.” He shakes his head and stares at me with an amused grin.

“Stop it.” I point to him. His smile grows. “You’re treating me like a child.”

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