Page 62 of The Viper's Wife

He won’t be happy that I’m here in the first place, but thethreat is enough to make Stefano reconsider, because he stops, his jaw working like he’s chewing through gristle.

“You think you’re so fucking clever,” he says. “Doing whatever the hell you want, and fucking over your family, but if I have to post a guard around the house twenty-four seven, I will.”

He reaches forward and snatches a fistful of my hair, pulling painfully. I grit my teeth and don’t cry out.

“He is going to break you, or I will. You will not fuck this up.”

He drags me by my hair through the VIP room, and I stumble after him.

I try to hold it in, but a whine escapes my mouth.

He’s pulling out hair.

My scalp burns.

“I don’t have to leave a mark to hurt you,” Stefano promises.

The door slams open. Nico strides through.

He’s wearing his usual black boots, ripped jeans, and bomber jacket, looking like he’s stepped off the back of a motorcycle. He takes in the scene in front of him without expression.

Stefano tosses me forward by my hair into Nico’s arms. I bounce off his chest, and would’ve stumbled to the ground if it weren’t for him grabbing my arm to hold me steady.

“Her shitty friend Lacey made her do this,” Stefano lies. He’s never liked Lacey. “I caught her just in time.”

Nico casts a dispassionate eye over me, inspecting me.

When his gaze meets mine, I blink away the tears of pain and raise my chin in defiance.

He’ll see right through Stefano. No one forced me to do this.

I’m bad.

Nico lightly touches the back of my head and strokes down like I’m the family pet.

A shiver rolls down my spine.

“What happened to her hair?” Nico asks in a dangerous voice. He doesn’t stop from stroking me. Sparks skitter along my neck. I twist against the hand holding my bicep, but he doesn’t let go.

Stefano’s instincts kick in. “She didn’t want to go. That fucking friend of hers had her brainwashed. You ask me, you should get her taken care of. She’s a bad influence on Valeria.”

“Lacey didn’t do anything wrong,” I blurt. Real panic ratchets up my voice. “This was my idea.”

Stefano throws Nico a look, likesee?

I can’t see Nico’s expression, but he continues to stroke my hair. I don’t know what he’s thinking.

“I can see where Valeria’s gotten her bad influences. Thank you for taking care of your sister,” Nico says evenly behind me. “Now go home and pull out your fingernails.”

My stomach roils.

Stefano opens and closes his mouth like a puppet. “What?”

Nico pulls me flush against his chest. I’m hot and sticky from dancing, but he doesn’t seem to care as he pins my back to him and binds me with an arm across my belly.

“You heard me,” he says. “All ten. And send me a picture when you’re done.”

Stefano laughs incredulously, before glancing at his friend who’s smart enough to stay silent. “Come on, boss. I was keeping her safe for you.”