Page 91 of The Viper

She’s still huddled in the bath, staring at nothing. “Eliza,” I say.

She turns to look at me, her blue eyes filled with tears. Her cheeks are glistening from where tears have already fallen. “Are we safe?” she asks in a small voice.

Fuck. Are we? I have no idea because I don’t know if Adrian will show up here and take her. “Yeah,” I say as convincingly as I can. Eliza doesn’t catch the small flutter in my voice, because if she did, she’d be up and out of the bath within a heartbeat. Or maybe she’s simply too exhausted to try. “I’m going to find you some clothes, and ask Alba to cook something for you.” Eliza lays her head on her knees and stares at me. “I won’t be long.”

She forces a small smile as I stand and head toward the door. “Rose,” she says in a tiny voice.

“What is it?” I reach for the handle, but turn to look at her.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been a good big sister to you. I thought I was doing the right thing and protecting you when I married him.”

I’ve always known there’s more to this than she’s ever told me. “What are you talking about?” I ask as I move closer to her. Eliza’s eyes glaze over, and she simply smiles as she turns her head to face away from me. Whatever it is has to be bad or she wouldn’t be so closed off about it. I walk over and place a soft kiss to her head. “I just wish Mom and Dad where here to help.” Her chuckle is almost diabolical. “What’s that mean?” I’m met with a headshake and silence, and I take my cue from her to just leave this alone. For now.

I walk out and head down to find Alba.

What a fucking day.

Chapter twenty-three

Dominic

Ruben stands back with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

My knuckles are protesting in pain but this fucker isn’t giving us what we need.

“Who paid you to cut the feed?” Ruben asks in a low voice.

The guy from the desk at the shit motel is holding onto this pertinent information. Ruben flicks his gaze over to me. With clenched hands I lay another two into his ribs. The guy is hanging by chains and has no idea how much pain I can bring. “I like it when they don’t talk,” I say as I walk around the back and lay into his side close to his kidneys.

“Please,” the guy pleads. “They’ll kill me.” They?

“I’ll kill you,” Ruben says with controlled anger.

“Who’s they?” I ask as I step back and roll my shoulders, ready to end him.

The guy lifts his head to look at me, his eyes wide with terror. “I meant he’ll kill me.”

I look to Marco and crick my neck to the side. “Get his family,” I say. Ruben cocks a brow as Marco begins to leave the shed at Ruben’s.

“No!” the guy shouts. “Not my family. Please,” he shamelessly begs. I look to Marco, then back at the guy in chains. “Alright, alright,” he says and bursts into tears.

“Who paid you to disarm the cameras?” Ruben asks.

“Promise me you won’t hurt my family.”

“You’re in no position to negotiate,” I say. Marco is already out the door. “And he’s now gone.”

“No! I’ll tell you! Please, don’t go after my family.”

“Better speak fast,” I say.

“They’re a motorcycle club.”

I look to Ruben. We exchange knowing looks. Fucking Adrian is in with the Fallen. Fuck. “What club?”

“Um.” The guy crinkles his brows and shakes his head. “I don’t know, I didn’t ask. But the emblem had a bird with a broken wing.” He looks to us. “Please, not my family. I told you what I know.”

Ruben relaxes his arms and looks to me, then back to the guy. “He’s done,” he says and turns to walk away. I walk over to where my suit jacket and gun are, lift my gun and put two in his head. I catch up to Ruben as I shrug into my jacket. “Stop Marco then come to my office.”

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