Page 28 of The Viper

My coughing is violent as my body attempts to expel the smoke from my lungs. “It hurts,” I choke.

“We’re nearly there.” Dominic says as I continue to wheeze while sucking in short, shallow breaths. “Fucking move!” Dominic yells.

He tightens his arms around me as the car aggressively moves around corners. “Dominic,” someone says.

The next thing I know, I’m being moved and Dominic is shouting. This is where I tap out.

The lights are dim but there’s a constant whirl of people’s muffled voices. My eyes flicker open and closed several times, and I scratch at my nose. “Where am I?” my voice is abrasive and my throat is rough with pain. I knock at the something in my nose.

“It’s oxygen, Rosa. Leave it.” Dominic stands from the chair he’s been in, approaches me and sits on the edge of the bed. He tenderly sweeps tendrils of my hair from my face. “There was a fire at your apartment building, and I’m sorry, but your apartment was destroyed.”

“Everything?”

“The firefighters managed to put the fire out before it totally destroyed everything toward the back of the building, but most of the apartments at the front are gone.”

My stomach contracts, and for some reason I feel guilty. “Did I start the fire?”

“No,” Dominic says with certainty. “The fire department is investigating, but it appears that it wasn’t up to code.”

That much I knew. “How long have I been in here?”

“We came in late last night.”

I stay staring at Dominic. His face isn’t as smooth shaven as he usually is, and has a sprinkle of dark stubble. “You look tired,” I say.

“I’m fine.”

“Did you sleep here?” I look around the room and find his suit jacket and tie slumped over the back of the chair he was in. “You should go home.”

“I’m fine,” he repeats as he continues to smooth my hair. “How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?”

“My chest, and my ribs.”

“Probably from the coughing. I’ll let the doctor know you’ve woken.” He pushes up off the bed, and I close my eyes as I try to think about everything that’s happened. Dominic opens the door to the room and mumbles something, before heading over to sit on the bed again. “Marco’s letting the nurses know.”

“Marco’s here?”

“He goes everywhere I do.”

He tilts his head as he stares at me. “Who got me out?”

“I did. The fire department was only getting to the scene as I was coming out with you.”

“You ran into a burning building?” I narrow my eyes as I stay looking at him. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you weren’t safe.”

“I need to talk to Eliza, let her know what’s happened.”

“I’ve spoken with Adrian and she knows. She’ll be coming home tomorrow to see you.”

“I don’t have a home anymore.” Tears well in my eyes as reality kicks in. “I don’t have anywhere to go,” I whisper. “Or any clothes, or even a toothbrush.”

“You’re moving in with me.”

“What?” I ask as I shake my head. “No, I’m not.”

“This isn’t open for negotiation. You’ll move in with me.”

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