Page 30 of The Viper

“Lasagna. I know you’re vegetarian, and they didn’t have vegetarian lasagna, so you got minestrone.”

“About that,” I say as I dip the spoon into the soup. “I’m not exactly vegetarian.”

His fork and knife still and he slowly lifts his chin to look at me. His brows rise and he clears his throat. Oh no. I gulp as I continue to stare at him. “You lied.”

“Not exactly,” I try to backtrack.

“It’s not a question.” He places the flatware on the side of the plate. “Why did you lie?”

I nibble on my lower lip as I tear my gaze away from his heated, hard stare. “Because I wanted to make it as difficult for you as possible considering you forced your way into my apartment, insulted my cooking, then kidnapped me without shoes.”

Dominic dismissively flicks his hand at me. “You make it seem like what I did was wrong.” Now it’s my turn to stare at him. My head lolls to the side as my mouth gapes. “It’s my job to look after you.”

“What? And just so we’re clear, yes it was wrong.” I point my finger at him. Dominic’s deliberate raised brow and smirk tells me he doesn’t think he did anything wrong. “And what’s all this shit about your job to look after me? I hate to tell you, but no, it’s not.”

His smile instantly disappears. “You’re my responsibility.”

“No,” I argue. “I’m not. You and I have no ties other than the fact my sister is married to your brother. That’s it.” I point to myself, then him.

He clears his throat and continues eating. “Rosa, you are my responsibility because you’re in my family now, and forever.”

My response is immediate and without thinking. “Ewww.”

“Ewww?” His face relaxes into a blank and emotionless stare. “You’re a Sacco, and Saccos are looked at with respect and fear,” he barks. “You will not demean the Sacco name.” He turns his anger toward his lasagna.

“It has nothing to do with the name, Dominic.” He snaps his attention to me.

“Then what?”

“Your brother,” I say without hesitation. “He’s horrible and I don’t want to be a part of his family.” Dominic knows what Adrian did to me at the wedding, yet he appears unaffected by the fact his brother put his hands on me. Not to mention he’s married to my sister.

Dominic straightens and pulls his shoulders back as he lifts his chin in defiance. “We have an understanding,” he says without looking at me.

Luckily, I’d already swallowed the delicious soup or I would’ve spat it out all over Dominic. “What does that even mean ‘understanding’?” I air quote.

“He knows he can’t have you.”

“Have me?” my voice elevates with shock. “What exactly are you saying?”

“You’re part of this family, but you’re not his.” Dominic cocks a brow. “Now, finish eating before your soup goes cold.”

“Dominic,” I sigh. “We-”

He holds his hand up. “Enough.” Dominic flicks his eyes to my soup. “We can have this discussion later. For now, you need to eat something decent and rest so I can take you home tomorrow, Rosa.”

My jaw tightens, and through clenched teeth, I correct him with a short, “Rose.”

Dominic intakes a sharp breath and releases it slowly. “Eat.” He once again nods toward my soup and continues inhaling his lasagna. Man, that lasagna does look good. But I make a mental note to continue this conversation once I’m out of the hospital.

And back at his place.

Chapter eight

Dominic

“Can we stop by the café?” my Rosa asks once Frank leaves the hospital.

“Why?”

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