Page 100 of Lovely Venom

“Griffin thinks I quit a lot of things.” I wink, reminding Rhys to keep my secret about Raina.

A cig in between my lips, I lean into my da’s old silver butane lighter with his initials carved in the front. AQ. After a deep drag and a long exhale, I choke on the burn.

“Poor bastard.” Rhys pushes Hendrix back against the car seat and holds him steady, or he’ll fall out of the sedan.

“For what? Getting his dick sucked and then his throat slit?”

“If you’re not careful, you could be next, considering who’s in your bed right now.” He doesn’t sound convinced she’s given up on killing me.

Shit adds up in my head. Hendrix’s death and dismemberment must be payback for yet anotherAlbanian theythinkI killed. Christ, they work fast, which means they will come for Raina with full force. And soon.

“WhyHendrix?” I lean closer, studying the knife work. Precise. Vicious. “Who the hell did we ice last night?”

Wesignals Raina is now one of us, and everyone better get on fucking board with it.

“Blade didn’t get a name. He and Jett spoke to several people and found out he was high up. We still don’t know how they’re organized.” Rhys exhales, stretching his neck. “If we even think this was an Albanian hit, Griffin needs to know.”

Looking around, I say, “Can we tow this thing to our warehouse? Let Shane’s forensic team dust for prints?”

Rhys flicks his cigarette into the dirt and gets on his phone. “A flatbed will be easier. I’ll grab a tarp and stick Hendrix in my trunk.”

I stare out at the water and the rising sun on the horizon. My thoughts and excuses take shape about what the hell to do next. Thebeep beep beepof the flatbed backing up to Hendrix’s car knocks me from my thoughts.

A driver I don’t know, but who seems to know Rhys, jacks up the Beamer. After a few smooth minutes, it leaves with Rhys escorting it himself.

I head back to my apartment and prepare myself for the war between Quinlan Empire and the Albanian Brotherhood. They’re looking for their princess, who I left naked in my bed.

Soaked in my cum.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Raina

My cell phone rings, waking me up from a deep sleep, so deep I didn’t even dream. I’m one level away from a coma or death. It stops but rings again.

The other end of the bed is empty, but with a dented pillow and pushed-back covers. Not a perfectly made-up unused side of my bed that gathers dust.

I’m not home.

Oh God.

Last night comes flooding back to me. And a shift sparks a twinge between my legs.

Sex.

And murder.

Not in that order.

I murdered one of Noel’s men.

Theywillcome after me.

My cell rings again, and I cringe, looking at the number, expecting it to be Valdrin. I went to sleep, ignoring his sixtieth missed call and dozens of angry texts.

I answer quickly, “Ruby? Are you okay?”

“You, you never came back.” She sounds like a zombie. “I put your clothes away.”