Page 29 of The Viper's Wife

Ignoring the tray of fancy rings, she points directly to asimple, slender wedding band. Tiny diamonds dot the band, but the whole thing is barely more than a scrap of twisted metal.

“That’s actually a wedding band, but I can see why you’d—” Minnie says.

“That the ring you want?” I turn to Valeria.

She looks up at me and deadpans, “It’s my dream ring.”

What fucking game is she playing?

It’s got to be the cheapest ring in the entire store.

Is she doing this to prove to me how frugal she is? Or that she doesn’t care about the engagement, so the worst ring will do? If I thought I could grab her by the shoulders and shake her until some answers fell out, I would.

I snap my head toward Minnie. “Let’s see how it fits.”

Her commission just dove headfirst off a cliff, but Minnie sets down the expensive rings with a tight smile and reaches into the display case.

I release Valeria’s hand and lean against the case. I’ve already gotten punched in the face tonight—I don’t feel like playing any more games.

“Take off your jacket,” I say mildly. “I want to see how it looks.”

“I’m fine.” She doesn’t meet my eye.

She’s not fine. She looks like a dog stuck in a car in July.

“Take off the jacket, Val.” I throw a little menace into my words, the kind that has Minnie straightening with a look of concern, and Valeria freezing.

With a stubborn frown on her mouth, Valeria slowly and deliberately sheds her coat.

I don’t miss the subtle way she folds it over her right arm. I take it from her, meeting the slightest resistance as she tries to hold on.

She has a bruise on her right wrist.

It follows the vague shape of a hand.

“Where did you get that?” I ask. My voice takes on a low, sharpened edge.

“I tripped,” she says.

In the corner of my eye, Stefano goes very still. Slowly, I rotate toward him. His face turns pale.

“I changed my mind,” Valeria says quickly. “I want that one.”

Without looking away from Stefano, I reach into my pocket, pull out my wallet, and toss it onto the display case. “Pick out any ring you want. I’ll be right back.”

“Nico.” Valeria snatches my wrist. “I want you to help me choose. Please.”

When I glance back at her, she’ssmiling, in a hopeful, pleading way that is entirely foreign on her striking features.

I barely know her, but I already know she doesn’t beg.

In any other circumstance, I might enjoy it.

I roll my jaw, the buzzy restlessness from earlier tonight zipping back through my muscles, but I’m unable to tear my gaze from her face.

Fine.

She doesn’t want me to make a scene, then I won’t. But after we pick out the ring, she’ll be coming back to my place, and we’re going to talk—preferably naked.