Page 13 of The Viper

“Has this got anything to do with my brother?”

“The fact he put his hands on my ass?” I tilt my head to the side. “Or that he asked me if he gets a two-for-one deal?”

“I’ve spoken to him about that. He won’t bother you again.”

My breath catches as I sit back, finding myself surprised by his words. “You did?”

“Yes,” he replies with confidence. “I give you my word, he won’t bother you again.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because it made you uncomfortable, and he shouldn’t touch what’s...” he pauses and visibly swallows. I wait for him to finish his sentence. “What?”

Dominic leans back and drapes his arm over the chair. He glances to his right and lifts his chin. “Ma’am, your soda.” The waiter places it in front of me. “Mr. Sacco, your scotch.” He lays a glass in front of Dominic.

“Thank you,” I say to him before he leaves. Dominic takes the glass and swirls the deep amber liquid around, not bringing it to his lips. “Touch what’s...” I stop and lift my shoulders while waiting for Dominic to finish the sentence.

“What?” His hard eyes meet mine.

“You were saying something and didn’t finish. What was the rest of the sentence?”

He continues to stare at me while a slight smile pulls at his lips. “I don’t recall.”

He’s not going to tell me, which completely frustrates me. But, I may as well attempt to have some kind of conversation with him. “So,” I start, ultimately relinquishing that conversation. “What exactly do you and your brother do?”

Dominic’s shoulders tense as he averts his eyes and looks down at his glass. “What exactly has Eliza told you?”

“Eliza?” He nods. “She hasn’t told me anything. Actually, I haven’t heard from her for days.” I look down at my soda to avoid Dominic. I don’t want him to see the pain I’m in, or even how deflated I am when it comes to the crumbling relationship between Eliza and me. I feel like she’s pulling away, and I don’t know why.

“Are you two close?”

“We used to be,” I say in a small voice. I bring the soda to my mouth and take a sip. “Before your brother happened.” I lift my chin but I can’t bring myself to look into his eyes. This hurts too much, and I hate being so vulnerable with a man I know to be dangerous.

Dominic takes his phone out of his pocket, dials someone and brings it up to his ear. “I’m with Rosa.”

“Rose,” I correct. “Who is it?” I mouth as I shift in my seat.

“Yes, I know,” he says in a hard, clipped voice. “Where’s Eliza?” Is he talking to Adrian. I perk up, completely invested in his conversation. “Huh,” he huffs. Instantly I know I’m not going to be able to speak Eliza. “Have her call her sister.” He lowers his phone and slides it back into his pocket. “She’s asleep.”

My body slumps as all my excitement evaporates. “Thank you for trying,” I say flatly. “I just wish I could talk to her.”

“She’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Miss Hopkins,” the waiter announces as he places my caprese and garlic bread on the table. There’s another waiter behind him holding Dominic’s osso bucco. “Is there anything I can bring?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” I offer him a smile. Dominic merely flicks his hand at the waiter. I pick my fork up and push the food around on the plate, still hung up at my false hope of being able to talk to my sister.

“You’re not hungry?” Dominic has already started in on his food.

“Yeah, I guess I am. I’m just thinking, that’s all.”

“About your sister?”

Dominic has shown me he’s persistent, and I don’t want him involved in Eliza’s and my relationship. “No, actually, I’m thinking about why you can’t ever say thank you to someone who waits on you.”

His fork stops midair. Dominic’s forehead crinkles with confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve not thanked our waiter once.”

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