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“I’m not sure how much money is worth adding a death chip in your brain.”
Maybe they didn't know...
My pants vibrate, and I grab my phone from my pocket, hoping that it’s Anita. The excitement drops when I notice it's an unknown number.
My brows pinch, and Bedford continues to talk in the background. I click the message and green digits type along my screen.
Unknown number: Nothing is as it seems. Do not spread this message. Or else...
— Frog
The muscles in my face loosen, and my stomach twists in a subtle knot. What the fuck? Who dares have the audacity to tap through my phone and message me with this. Heat blazes over my face, and I lift my gaze, but there's no one in the command room besides Bedford and me. I blink, then stare back at my phone, hoping it's a stupid ass joke and nothing is there.
Nope.
The message is clear and bold, laughing in my face. I peer at the name ‘frog,’ and nothing in my mind registers who that is and how that name correlates with me.
I almost handed over my phone to Bedford so he can trace the carrier, but the ‘or else’ stands out too much for me to risk that.
Me: Who are you?
They could be a part of this centipede cult for all I know.
Unknown: I am not your enemy.
Me: You're the enemy until I say otherwise.
Bubbles appear and then disappear.
“Alright, I’m out of here, I have a party to attend.”
I snap away from the “Yeah. Yeah. Alright.”
Bedford pauses and looks at me curiously. “What's eating your grapes?”
“What?”
“You rarely say ‘yeah,’” he says with an unsure expression. “It's a dance, not a wedding. Mercy, pull yourself together.”
I glower at him with a stiff jaw as he strolls away from me with an amused grin and some chuckles to go along with it. Bedford is the only one I would allow to talk to me that way, and he knows it, that's why he continues to be a pain in my ass.
I shake my head while stuffing my phone back into my pocket. Before I head off, I glance at the screen once more and stare at the device that has me questioning the severity of the situation. I want to know now more than anything, and if we go after the other people who are involved, will they get the same fate as well?
My phone vibrates again, and I growl in frustration, turning away and walking off to head to the dance. I look at my phone as I walk out the room, and my stomach clenches at the name.
Calling:Papai
There are so many things I want to do and say to him. One of them is to ask how the fuck did the mayor know about my mother's suicide? However, I know he won't give me the answer I deserve. Or maybe they're close and needed someone to vent to, but I kept my mouth shut all these years, killing my soul to hide the truth, so why couldn't he?
I let the phone ring until it stops, and then a message comes through instantly.
Papai: You never came to the house, but I understand you are now too busy for your family. It's almost Christmas, and I would like to spend time with my son. Both of you.
I blow out a harsh breath through my nose as I reread the message. Is it wrong that I don't care? There were so many times when I wanted to have that bonding moment with him, and he never graced me with it. Why should I be the one to push aside all the years of abuse and disdain because he wants to be indifferent now?
I lock my phone and continue on my way, forgetting about the pain, and focusing on who I wish to be with the most.
My sweet Venom.