Page 100 of The Viper

“No, it’s not.”

Shit, could this be Adrian? “Who?”

“You.” She smiles at me.

Did I hear that right? “Me?” My hand comes up to my chest. Evelyn nods, the massive smile on her face is one of pride and happiness. “I bought the café?” my voice comes out as a squeak.

“You did. The money was in my account last night.”

“You know I didn’t buy the café.” I sit back and slump my arms over the sides of the chair. Deflated I stare at Evelyn.

“You’re not happy about this?”

“Did you want to sell it?”

“The money was too good for me to pass up, Rose.”

“But I thought you loved it here.”

“I do, but, like I said, the money was significantly higher than I could ever imagine.”

“And what will you do after you’ve trained me?”

I feel sick to my stomach. “I’m not sure, but I’ve signed a non-compete clause, so I can’t open another café within a fifty-mile radius.”

“Fifty miles?” Ludicrous.

“He was adamant.”

“He? As in Dominic?” Her smirk is all the confirmation I need. “Excuse me.” I stand and head toward the door. “Actually, do you mind if you give me a moment in your office? I’m sorry,” I apologize at the ridiculousness of me throwing her out of her business and her office.

“It’s your office now.” I grumble my concern. “I need a coffee anyway.”

I wait until the door is closed to call Dominic. “Rosa,” he answers on the first ring.

“Really? You bought the café?”

“You don’t sound happy.”

“Maybe because I’m not. You’ve just thrown Evelyn out on her ass.”

“I hardly take what I paid her as throwing her out on her ass. She’s been handsomely compensated.”

“Dominic, I don’t want this.”

“Close the doors if you don’t want it. It’s yours to do what you want with.”

My jaw grits together as I close my eyes and shake my head. “I’m twenty-one, what do I know about running a business? Not only that, I don’t want to run one. I just want to live my life and have fun while coming to a job I love. I don’t want the responsibility of having to take care of something else. My hands are full with helping Eliza get back on her feet, I can’t do this too.”

“Then keep Evelyn there to do everything she’s doing to manage the place, and just work when you want.”

“This is an example of not talking to me.”

“And what would you have said if I told you I was buying the café?”

“I would’ve told you that you’re out of your mind. Not to mention bullet proof glass! I get updating the security because that’s nice knowing I can go to work and there’s better security, but bulletproof glass? Isn’t that a bit of overkill?”

“Not at all.”

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