Page 69 of The Viper's Wife

Hers is the only phone number besides my own that I know by heart.

She answers on the first ring.

“It’s me,” I say.

“Val?What happened? Why the fuck was Stefano there? I’ve been calling you all night! I was about to call the police.”

“Don’t do that,” I say quickly. “Lacey, I need you to listen to me and just do what I say. Are you at your apartment?”

“Yeah, but?—”

“I need you to pack all my stuff—allmy stuff—and bring it to the parking deck. Right now. I promise I’ll explain everything as soon as I can.”

“Whose phone is this? I’m calling the cops.”

“Lacey, on your mother’s life, I need you to do what I say. I promise you, I’m safe, and I’ll answer all your questions later.”

There’s a moment of silence. I’ve never used her mom’s memory like this before.

“I’ll be down in five minutes.”

Time stretches long, weighed with silent tension. Nico’s anger radiates in scorching waves, as suffocating as the mouth of a volcano. When Lacey arrives, lugging along all of my belongings—and my pink duffel bag of cash—I burst out a sigh of relief before guilt worms its way home under my skin.

I swore I’d never drag her into any of this mess, and in a single day, I’ve made her go to a paternity center, traumatized her at the club, and forced her to haul all my bags to her parking deck in the middle of the night with no explanation.

Though, she doesn’t look traumatized as she gives Nico her signature death-stare through the windshield. My heart swells with affection.

He pops the trunk. “Tell her to throw your shit there.”

“Can I get out? To tell her goodbye?”

“Don’t be dramatic. You can talk to her later.” His handflexes on the wheel. He exhales. “You can get out, but you’re getting right back in after.”

I tear open the door and dash to Lacey, throwing my arms around her in a fierce embrace. She drops my bags and squeezes me back, crushing the air out of my lungs.

“Val, I thought they hurt you,” she mutters. She releases me and looks me up and down.

I can only imagine what she sees.

Her eyes widen at the sight of my smudged lipstick. “Val, did he force?—”

“No,” I say, heat rising to my cheeks. “It wasn’t anything like that. That’s my fiancé.”

“The Armani model with the fucking snake tattoo on his neck?That’sNico?”

God, I hope Nico didn’t overhear that. His ego doesn’t need the stroking. “I have to go right now, but I promise you I’m safe. Don’t call the cops. And I’ll explain everything as soon as I can.”

She still looks doubtful, so I add, “Ipromise.”

“If I don’t get a call tomorrow, I’m filing a missing person report.” She throws her arms around me again, and I hug her back tightly. “Stay safe.”

“You too.”

When I get back in the car, Nico’s silent. He drives out of the parking deck, and Lacey’s worried face disappears behind a wall of concrete.

I am never going to be able to make this up to her.

“That your friend?” he asks.