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Ronan hoods his eyes at her, tossing an annoyed head shake. “We will take the jet.” He diverts the conversation. “I’ll keep you all updated. In the meantime, have a goodnight.”
Ronan eyes me particularly before backing the chair out, the wooden legs scraping against the cemented floor along with everyone else. Boone and Ronan walk off, heading in the direction of the gear room.
I make my way out of the data center and toward the hall, desperate to get to the room, and shut my eyes.
I truly won’t get the best sleep until I see the light from that asshole’s gray in the skin and lifeless. Each one of their deaths will only bring me closer and closer to the end of the mayhem. And to the beginning of maybe…
I remove the thought.
Instead, I massage my shoulder, rubbing the stiff muscles as I wait for the elevator. I’m not jogging up the steps.
Thankfully, there’s no one roaming the halls; I guess that’s what happens when your headman has a strict schedule. Although sometimes when I’m scoping the halls late at night, I see a few teens running off, sneaking around.
Beingteenagers.
I get into the elevator. A slow breath escapes as the stabbing pain swirls in my heart, the same throb that would randomly appear in my earlier days whenever I saw something or someone living alife.
Laughter, friends, prom, a normal graduation. Attempting at life and failing miserably. The experience of boyfriends thatyoufuck over or getting drunk off your ass because why not? Or getting your first job and feeling proud of it; even if it’s just a minimum wage job, it’s yours, and you worked hard for it. Possibly traveling the world without it pertaining to murdering someone. Being twenty-seven, you would think all of those wants and desires would vanish.
But the pain sharpens, filling my mind and body. Crashing me down into a normalcy I only have.
I stroll slower than usual to the door, wallowing in my own what if’s.
What if Carter didn’t die? Where would I be?
What if I never let my father send me off?
What if I decided to be something more than an assassin?
I approach the door, unlock it, and walk in; the cool breeze greeting me, and the smell of musk and citrus circulating my fumes. Closing my eyes, I let my shoulders slump because for the first night in a week I can relish in an odd comfort. I’ll get my things tomorrow, but for now, I want to relax.
It’s notmyhome, but it’s become a place that eases the ache from that solemn piece in my chest, and although it doesn’t take away the fester of possibilities that racks my brain. His apartment has become a tiny place of solidarity.
I make it to my room; I’m met with a clean bed and bright cream colors despite the dark shade milking the skies. Tingles spread over in a rush.
Home.For now.
Chapter 37
Venom
Location:
On the way to Croydon, London
Operation: Relish in his end
Ronan
Boone and I are leaving ahead. Meet you all there.
Irelease a sigh of relief, stuffing my phone into my bubble coat pocket. I don’t pay my heart skipping any mind while I read his message to the group chat.
Iamrelieved.
The week leading up to our take-off to London went by in no time. Which was perfect for me because that means I didn’t have to see Ronan much; he is a really busy man—and that works in my favor. Only because if Idosee him, it’ll be tempting to grab his face again and kiss him. Though we agreed we won’t do that again.
Well, him, not me. But I’m fine with it.