Page 31 of The Viper's Wife

Stefano’s grin crumbles. He’s very careful not to look at his sister as he answers with the earnestness of a man facing solitary confinement, “No, boss.”

“No clue, then?” I hold my hand out for the key.

He places it into my palm with slow, robotic movements. “None at all.”

“Shame. Well, I’m about to take your sister home and give her a full inspection. Better play it safe, right?”

He looks at Valeria then, a warning glance.

I squeeze her against me, tucking her against my chest. “I’m going to start giving her inspections regularly. Inspections at my place, inspections in my Ferrari, you catch my drift? But, and I gotta be honest, if I saw any more bruises on my blushing bride, I think I’d lose it. I’m talking bananas,ballistic. And I don’t want that to happen, do you?”

“No, boss.”

“I’m glad you agree, because I’m making you her new bodyguard. No one’s going to keep her safe like family. Just make sure there’s no tripping hazards at home, because the next bruise I see on her, I’m gonna give to you, sevenfold.”

“Good idea, boss,” Stefano says weakly.

What a fucking worm.

I tighten my hold on Valeria and tow her to the passenger side. “Let’s go. Time for your inspection.”

7

VALERIA

I thinkI’m in shock.

Stefano, red-faced as a lobster, left in the dust while my new fiancé whips us away in his Ferrari, the biggest engagement ring I’ve ever seen weighing down my finger.

This wasn’t my life yesterday. This wasn’t even my life an hour ago.

Nico is relaxed, one hand draped over the top of the steering wheel as we gently turn and coast to a stop at a red light. The vents blanket me in a warm current, but I’m covered in goosebumps. I shove my cold fingers between my knees.

He reeks of wine.

His jaw is swollen.

His lips are soft.

They were. Soft.

He’s a convicted killer who stole my coat and is driving me to his place to perform aninspection. And tonight, I need to convince him not to marry me, because at this rate, I’ll be pregnant by the end of the year.

Nico tilts his head back, glancing at me with those strange eyes that flash gold in the light of an oncoming car.

My breath catches in my throat. Even with his bruised jaw and split lip, he’s sohandsome.

I thought he was good-looking on a dark balcony. In the light, he’s almost unbearably hot.

“What do you do for work?” he asks.

I blink. “I’m a forensic scientist.”

He huffs in amusement. “No shit.”

“More than you’d expect, actually.”

He laughs, the raspy, delighted sound melting my insides like butter on a hot pan.