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Pictures and sweet images, innocent smiles, tiny giggles, and textbooks. A teen with two thick braids down her back and loose curly strands pass through my mind. My memories whirl like a collage, and I’m nearly stumbling in the grip. Almond-shaped brown eyes stare into mine, and she cracks a sinister smile with a gleam in her eyes.
“Remember me, darling?”
I blink at her, and my mouth parts, trying to make sense of it all.
The culprit is Anita Velz. The little sister to Carter, my best friend.
I don’t understand because I have been searching for her for years. Until I gave up eight years ago after realizing she practically fell off the damn face off the earth. And now?…?I breathe harder, staring at a ghost in the face, smirking so deviously.NowI see what she’s been up to.
“H-how.” My words fumble as they come out. My insides are squeezing so tight it’s similar to a steel hand punching me directly in the chest.
This is Venom.
She may be this?…?person. But I can’t help the guilt seeping through, and I relinquish, loosening my grip entirely—which probably isn’t the best idea. But right now, I’m not thinking clearly. What the fuck? The gun in my hand follows suit, lowering until it’s by my side.
“I could ask you the same thing.” The words come out in heaves from her breath, being constricted.
I keep staring as if her face will change into someone else, and my mind is finally giving out on me. “I looked for you,” I whisper.
Her features soften before glaring again. “You didn't look hard enough.” Then she knees me directly in my balls. Pain shoots up to my belly and I let out a growl, leaning over to clutch my traumatized dick. I back up, falling to my knees and to my side to fathom my fate. Dickless and dying. Fuck, that’s one way to go.
I see her feet stepping toward me before hearing a clunk, like the butt of a gun smashed into something hard. She falls to the ground and then a swish sound cuts in. Her body stops. Alreadyin so much pain, I didn’t register that Mal had walked up to me from the shadows.
“Looks like you need a hand head man.” Her sedated sniper slangs over her shoulder.
I release an agonizing breath, looking at Anita collapsed. “I had it under control.” I groan, shutting my eyes from the excruciating pain.
I don’t sound very convincing at the moment.
She hums, “Sure.”
Chapter 9
Venom
Location:
I don’t fucking know.
Operation: I also don’t. FUCKING. KNOW!
If it wasn’t for him, baby girl, none of this would’ve happened. I won’t lose another child before I’m dead.You’re going to learn to protect yourself, pumpkin.
A sharp pain pounds against the back of my head. Is my father here? He can’t be because that was the last time he called me pumpkin. I groan, opening my eyes slightly, but the pain thumps again. What the hell happened? I attempt to pull my arms apart to stretch, but I’m halted by what scratches like ropes burning against my wrist. I move them in a circle to see the depth of it.
Yep, it’s tightened pretty damn well.
I finally force my eyes open, wincing at the throb, but it’s black. I don’t panic, but my heart is racing. A black cloth is over my head. I think back on what transpired. Someone was watching me. I felt his stare. I gravitated toward it; the energy pulling like a metal to a magnet. Only to come face to facewith the little stalker and realize the man is Ronan. RONAN FUCKING ALVAREZ.
My mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. Itwashim that night. I could’ve killed him! And the fucker of a thief has my dagger. Once I get it out of the mess, and it’s back in my hand, I’m going to jab it straight up his ass.
I jerk in my seat, twisting and turning. Oh, he’s so dead now. Dead, fucking dead—so dead.
I’m angry at myself for hesitating.
Snakes don’t hesitate.The General’s voice slithers in my mind.
I’m mad at myself. I could’ve shot him beforehand—or broke off a tree branch and stabbed him in the neck. But something else took over and my mind scattered. I became sloppy, and all I felt like doing to him was screaming and slapping at him like a scorned little girl. Where has he been all this time? He left and didn't care to go to his best friend's funeral? I seethe at myself for thinking that. For pretending that I care. That's not what matters!