Page 75

“Oh!” The crashing sound of a body hitting the floor sounds out. I stop in my tracks. Looking down, I see a young girl with straight brown hair and olive skin. Crap, now it’ll look like I’m assaulting kids, and Ronan wouldn’t go for that.
I look around, making sure no one sees, while sticking my hand out. The girl stands up, placing her hand on the ground to lift. She jumps up, her long hair now swallowing her face.
“You’re that lady everyone is talking about, aren’t you?” She perks up, moving her hair from her covered eyes.
I tilt my head. “I’m not sure. What are they saying?” I peer at her now visible face. I would guess she’s about sixteen.
She tucks her arm bag further into her shoulder. “Pretty much your badass, and you attempted to assassinate the president.”
I cock my head, almost choking on my spit. That is wildly untrue.
But I play it off casually. “I can’t deny those accusations or give a truthful answer.” I began walking around her.
“I’m Isabella!” she shouts out.
I swallow the annoyance that’s trying to escape. I slowly turn back around on the heel of my foot. “Good to know.”
She steps closer, eyes dropping, and a tint of pink forming on her cheeks, her fingers twirling around one another. “I started here two days ago. After I was kidnapped, my parents sent me here. The Headman saved me.” She closed her eyes for a second. I can see the tremble in her eyelids and the quiver on her lips. “He saved my life. I don't know what would've happened to me if he didn't come. I might have died or been sold off somewhere.” She opens her eyes, liquid pooling at the rim.
Oh, crap.I zip and unzip the pocket on my cargo pants, glancing around the hall. This is…?beyond my capacity of vulnerability.
Her eyes shift down noticeably, dabbing away the tears that leaked down her cheeks. My shoulder slacks slightly. I suddenly get the urge to pat her on the shoulder and console her.
Pain shoots to my stomach and up to my heart. I couldn’t imagine being her age and experiencing somethingso traumatizing. It’s heart-wrenching. Losing my brother is nothing compared to physically getting taken and abused.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, raising my hand awkwardly and giving her two pats on her shoulder.That was good, Anita. Good job.I quickly lower my hands, clasping them together.
Her eyes shoot to me with alleviation, a small smile coming to her face. “Thank you.” She tucks a strand behind her ear. “So now I’m here, and I’m excited. I feel safer.”
I can spot the gratitude in her eyes for a place like this. The emotional connection she gets when she mentions Ronan saving her. What he’s doing here is nothing less than admiring. To give others another chance. It makes me wish I had something similar given to me when I was her age. Learning to defend yourself and still being…?free.
To have a choice.
“Do you have any advice to get me through this?” Her lips purse with a worried frown.
Her brightness is overpowering me and making me give in to her. I brace my hand on my hips. “Never lose who you are. No matter how dark shit gets. Never lose that shine.” Should I curse around kids? I’m terrible at this. But when her smile widens, and her teeth show, I can see it gives her comfort and confidence.
“Thank you, Ms. Venom.”
“Anita.”
Her eyes snap wider with her gaze bright as the sun. “Ms. Anita.”
I give a quick grin, my heart sparkling with a sense of pride. Then I perk my brow. “Now, where is your Headman?”
Chapter 31
Venom
Location:
Ronan’s Office
Operation: Demand what you WILL have.
Iarrive at a thick, large black wooden door. His other office is upstairs in the Tundra Hall. ‘Headman’ etched in black and gold. Simple.
I’ve never been here, and I can’t deny the thrill of seeing what it looks like inside. But I have to remember.