Page 18 of The Viper

“What?” she shrieks at my words.

“End of conversation.”

“No, it’s not. I have...” I hang up on her and place my phone next to my laptop. I’m done arguing with her. This isn’t open for negotiations.

My phone rings once again with Marco’s number. “Yeah.”

“She’s pissed,” he says and laughs. “She’s really pissed. Told me to get out of her apartment and even threatened me with calling the cops.”

“She’ll learn when they show up, and leave.”

“She’s a real live wire, Dominic.”

I can hear my Rosa in the background murmuring her displeasure about me having a new, sturdier door installed at her apartment. “She’s damn lucky I’m allowing her to stay there.”

“I’m keeping out of that one,” Marco says.

“Pussy.” I smile. “How long until the door is done?”

“They’re installing the keypad now, and should be done within the next half an hour.”

“Leave her my number,” I instruct Marco.

“Sure thing, boss.” I hang up and look to my phone, expecting my Rosa to call. Thankfully, she doesn’t. Good, it means she understands that when it comes to me, what I say goes.

Chapter five

Rose

“What’s gotten into you today?” Tilly asks as I make a coffee at the machine.

“Huh?” In truth I’ve been distracted by Dominic’s stupid controlling ways. That new door is extremely sturdy and safe, and much thicker than what was there before it. I did have the best night’s sleep though. I felt completely safe and at ease in my apartment. But I don’t need him to save me, because I don’t need saving.

“You’ve been distracted all day.” Tilly takes a quick sip of her soda before walking around to the other side of the counter to wait for the coffee I’m making.

“It’s nothing,” I say as I exhale.

“Sure, that’s why you’ve been mumbling to yourself since you got here.”

I stop frothing the milk and look over to her. “No, I haven’t.”

“Yep. Your lips have been moving, and you’ve been grumbling something about a stupid door.” I purse my lips together. Shit. “What happened with your stupid door?”

I shake my head and flick my hand at Tilly. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Did the door do something to you?” Tilly asks with a giggle.

“Don’t you have work to do?” I ask as I slide the coffee across the counter for her to take. She pokes her tongue out, takes the coffee and makes her way over to the table.

I look up to get the next ticket, and notice the expensive black car out front. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I scan the café looking for him.

His tall, intimidating frame is easy to pick out among the people in the café. Not only does his stature stand out, but his expensive suit and air of confidence makes him even more outstanding. “Hey, Finn,” I call to get his attention. Finn lifts his head from wiping down a table. I motion for him to come over. “Can you take over for a few minutes while I do that?” I look at the rag and antiseptic spray he’s holding.

“Hell, yeah.” He thrusts it at me, happy to be off the floor.

I wait until Finn washes his hands before I step away from the coffee machine and take the rag and spray out to the table he was cleaning. I quickly finish it, and walk over to Dominic and Marco. “What are you doing here?” I ask in a small voice, careful not to make a scene.

Dominic lays his tablet face down and looks up to me. “Having lunch.”

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