Page 67 of The Viper's Wife

He flings away my hands and shoves his half-hard cock into his jeans. “Get up.”

As I push myself to standing, he scoops up most of the cash from the ground.

He rises and shoves the money into my panties, his knuckles grazing my swollen pussy. I bite back a moan.

“I’m not playing games with you anymore.” His jaw clenches in a sharp line. He jerks off his coat, throws it around my shoulders, and grabs my wrist.

He completely ignores my attempts to pull free as he drags me to the door.

“Where are we going?”

“Home.” He looks back at me, his eyes dark and full of intention. “And this time, you’re not leaving until I’ve put a baby in you.”

13

VALERIA

The driveback in Nico’s car is dead silent.

I hold his coat around me and stare out the window, but I’m not really seeing anything. My lips are swollen, and my throat aches. My panties are soaked.

I should feel shame now. I have a few thousand dollars in cash on my lap. I can still taste his cum in my mouth.

Mostly, I feel listless.

I lost my job today. My parents are gone. Stefano will probably try to kill me the next time he sees me.

I’ve always thought of myself as the type of person who could meet any challenge with hard work and a vision, but I can only take so many hits. I’m not invincible.

After a while, I recognize the streets around us.

He’s taking me back home.

Maybe he’s changed his mind about putting a baby in me.

I should say something about the break-in, but he probably already knows. He’s probably taking me here to rub my face in it.

I’m exhausted.

My eyelids weigh heavier with every blink. I’m not sure if I can drag myself through any more.

If he drops me off and leaves, I could throw on some of Mom’s old clothes. Take the train. Slog back to Lacey’s apartment. I slump against the car door. The night stretches before me, infinite and grueling.

Nico pulls to a stop in front of my house.

The neighbor’s dog is barking again. The houses along the street are dark, curtains drawn.

I’m dressed in underwear and heels. I don’t want to leave the warm car to step into the freezing night air, even for the short walk to my front door. I don’t want to pick my way through the wreckage inside.

But I have to.

“Thank you for the ride,” I say and reach for the door handle.

“I didn’t say to get out.”

My heart rate fires up like an old lawnmower.

Nico steps out of the car, takes long strides around the front, and opens my door. I have his coat, but he doesn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable in his T-shirt as white vapor billows from his mouth. “We’re packing your shit, and then you’re coming to live with me.”