Page 67 of The Viper

“Missing? How did it go missing?” Marco lifts his shoulders. “It’s at the warehouse?” Marco nods. “Frank.”

Frank turns the car, heading toward the warehouse. I’m going to have to speak with Ruben, but first I’ll get answers before I let him know what’s happening. No use in telling Adrian about it, especially in the drug-fueled craze he’s currently in.

Rose

The constant sound of the phone ringing stirs me from my sleep. I reach out to touch Dominic but find the bed is empty. Sitting up, I scrub my hand over my face. I look around the dark room and try to gain my bearings. I turn to look at my phone, and see there’s maybe a dozen voice calls. I pick the phone up and while trying to wake myself, I squint to see who’s been calling.

My heart jumps when I see Eliza’s number.

I fumble as I call her back. I’m met with a busy signal, so I try to call her again. “Fuck,” I grumble as fear overcomes me.

As I hang up, the phone rings and I answer it immediately. “Rose?” Eliza whispers in a small voice.

“Eliza, are you okay?”

Eliza sobs into the phone. “I don’t know where to go.”

“What? What’s happening?”

“I left.”

She sounds like she’s running. “Where are you?” I leap out of the bed and start pulling my clothes on.

“I had to leave, Rose. He...”

I wait for a second, but she doesn’t say anything. “I’m coming to you, where are you?”

“I snuck out, he doesn’t know I’m gone.”

“Tell me where you are so I can come and get you.”

“No, you shouldn’t be involved with this.”

“You’re my sister, Eliza, I can’t not be involved. Where are you?”

“I shouldn’t have called.” She hangs up, and when I try to dial her again, her phone is switched off.

I keep trying her phone over and over again as I dress. But it keeps going to voice mail. Once I’m dressed, I rush downstairs to search for Dominic, but he’s not here. “Fuck it,” I say as I head to the garage and scan the hook where all the keys are. I grab the keys to the BMW and press the fob. The car’s headlights ignite as it unlocks, and I run over to it.

Now, I need to get past all the guards Dominic has guarding the property. Getting out won’t be easy, but I don’t care. I need to find a way to get to my sister.

The car’s engine roars to life and when I approach the garage door, I look for the pressy-down-thingy that opens the door. When I locate it, I press it and wait for it to roll up.

One of the guards is stationed by the garage door, he’s already waiting for it to lift and indicates for me to drive up to him. “Mr. Sacco hasn’t approved this.”

“I have to go,” I say with urgency.

“I’m sorry, Miss Hopkins but unless I get approval from Mr. Sacco, the answer is no.”

“Fuck this.” I plant my foot to the gas and head toward the gated entry. I know they’re not going to let me through, so I dial Dominic.

“Rose, are you okay?” Marco answers as I approach the gate and stop inside.

“I need Dominic.”

“He’s busy at the moment.”

“I need him now,” I shout.

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