Page 68 of The Viper

There’s a rustling noise as Marco hands the phone over to Dominic. “Rosa, are you safe?”

“I need to leave, but they’re not allowing me to go.”

“Why? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

I can feel myself about to burst into tears. “No, I’m not hurt, but I think Eliza is. She called me and said she’s left. I need to find her. Please, Dominic, let me go find her.”

“Rosa, it’s not safe…”

“Then it’s not safe for Eliza, either! I need to find my sister,” I yell into the phone. My emotions are spilling over, and I’m becoming hysterical. “Tell them to open the gate or I’ll drive through it.”

“Which car are you in?”

“What?”

“Don’t worry,” he says.

“You’re worried about your stupid fucking car while my sister is God knows where? You know what? Fuck you, Dominic!”

“Wait,” he says sensing my fear and frustration. “They’re opening the gate now.”

The gate rolls open, and I tear through it. “Thank you.” I hang up and try dialing Eliza’s number again. Thankfully, she answers. “I’m on my way to you, where are you?”

“I’m just walking, trying to stay hidden.” She’s not crying anymore, but I can hear how breathy her voice is, as if she’s running or hastily walking.

“Has he called you at all?”

“He doesn’t know I left. I snuck out, but it’s only a matter of time before he discovers I’m gone.”

“I’m coming to you, Eliza. Tell me where you are.”

“It’s best if I don’t involve you, that way he can’t hurt you to get to me.”

“Hurt me? He wouldn’t want to fucking lay a hand on me.”

“You have no idea how dangerous he is, Rose. Please, don’t come to find me.”

I know she’s doing what she thinks is best, but she can’t do this by herself. “If you don’t tell me where you are, I’ll be forced to go to Adrian, and I don’t want to do that because I hate him.” Eliza sighs but doesn’t respond. “Please, let me help.”

“There’s an all-night gas station up near the interstate. I’ll be there until I can hitch a ride and get the hell out of here.”

“No! Don’t go, not yet. Let me see you first. I need to make sure you’re okay.” If she’s going to go anywhere, I’m going with her. She’s too fragile to do this by herself.

“I’ll wait as long as I can, but if I see him, I’ll need to move. I promise, I’ll call when I can.”

Fuck this. She’s not going anywhere without me. I put my foot down and head to the gas station she’s talking about. “Promise you’ll wait.” I’m in a car and she’s on foot. There’s no way she’ll get to the gas station before I do. I need to beat her there, so I can help her before she does something irrational, like leave without me.

The drive to the gas station doesn’t take me long considering it’s nearly two in the morning and the streets are reasonably deserted.

I’m on high alert though, looking at every passing car, in case Adrian figures out that she’s gone and comes looking for her. I don’t care who he is, I won’t let him take her. There’s a heaviness sitting on my chest and a piercing pain in the back of my throat. I should’ve stopped the marriage before it happened.

If I had just stood up for her at the church, she never would’ve been in this position. I didn’t do the right thing then, but I’m sure as hell going to do it now.

My stomach knots and I feel sick to my very core as I pull into the gas station. I park the car around the back, away from prying eyes, before I head inside. There are two sets of tables and chairs where people can grab a coffee and maybe a donut and rest before they need to leave again. I look over to see if she’s already arrived and is sitting there, but it’s empty. “Hey,” I say to the attendant.

She smiles at me and lifts her brows. “How much?”

“No, no gas.” I wave my hand to her. “Has a woman come in the last few minutes?” She shakes her head once and I let out a relieved breath. I haven’t missed her. “Can I get two coffees please?”

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