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“Why?” I ask jokingly. “Because I make you so irritable?”

She chuckles but it sounds hollow. “No, kitten. Not most of the time, anyway.”

I wait a few moments for her to explain herself before I realize she’s just going to leave it at that. “You can’t say that and then not explain it, that’s not fair.”

She stares into her teacup like it will tell her the future. “I don’t know. I just feel more like myself when I’m with you, that’s all. Less like a bystander in my own life.”

I can’t help but scoff. “Are you kidding? You’re not a bystander. You’re, like, in charge of this city.”

She furrows her brows in a way that looks like she might cry any moment but then quickly runs her hand over her face, hiding her expression. “I’m glad you think that.” The movement of her hands, together with her shaking, is enough to make her cup spill over. “Ah, fuck!”

The anger and irritation in her expression makes me want to shy away. But when I take the cup from her hands to set it aside, I recognize that anger for what it is: self-directed. She spilled the tea. She’s addicted to Ghostshade. She got me hurt. She ran away with Dante. I can almost see the dialogue she’s having with herself on her face.

I take her shaking hand in mine. “Hey, it’s ok. It’ll come out in the washing mashine.”

She looks infinitely exhausted when I pull her into my arms. “I’m so tired.”

“I’ll call Mel,” I say. “I’m sure she can keep everything afloat for a few days. And you just stay right here and let me take care of you until you feel better.”

Her face is mortified when she lifts her head. “Don’t let that woman anywhere near my business. I’ll go under. The whole city will!”

With a chuckle, I ask, “Alright, is there someone else who can help?”

“Ibrahim works with a lot of the same suppliers as me. I trust him.”

I take another sip of tea, trying hard to hide that I have no clue how to actually help her. “I’ll speak to him.”

“You shouldn’t have to do this, Deni.Ishould be taking care ofyou.”

I kiss her temple, saying as seductively as I can, “I thought you like service,” in an attempt to lighten her up.

She sighs. “Not like this.”

I pull back. “Is there anything else I can do to make this easier? Other than keeping you entertained with my infinite charm?”

Her smile is worth every stupid and embarrassing joke I've ever made to her. She opens her mouth but then hesitates.

“Tell me,” I insist.

She clears her throat. “Venom might help.”

Oh.I grimace. “Are you sure replacing one substance with another is a good idea?”

Rolling her eyes, she says, “Oh come on, you can't take away all of my vices at once!”

I sigh. “And you’re sure it will help?”

“I think so.”

After hesitating for a moment, I turn to face her. She straddles me with her knees, allowing me to get close enough to touch my lips to her neck.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, kitten, I am.”

I sink my fangs into her artery as gently as I can, making sure to create the smallest of punctures. She doesn’t react but tightens her grip on my shoulders, then sighs as I release my venom. When I’m done, I carefully pull back, making sure not to do any more damage to her skin than I have to.

She has her eyes closed but her whole body language has relaxed. When she lowers her fingers, I notice they’ve stopped shaking.