Page 131 of Lovely Venom

Without my awkward speech and waiting to hear her excuses, she pops out a silver hoop from her second hole. One second later, Norah’s earring is on Raina’s lobe.

When she turns to me, her jaw tightens and her skin pales. “Oh, shoot. Did you not want me to—”

I stop her with my mouth. “This is exactly what I wanted. I was afraid I’d break down asking you and then completely fall apart when you said no.”

With sad eyes, she fists my shirt. “I’m honored. Andso impressed how you have all handled losing someone who meant so much to you.”

“Your mother—”

“It’s something she wrote in her letter. Mom said she didn’t think she could handle losing me.” Raina shakes her head. “My mother wasn’t strong like yours. Like your sister and the rest of you who’s dealt with Norah’s death with grace and dignity. If my mother were alive, you wouldn’t like her.”

“Don’t say that.” I crush her against my chest. “She brought you into this world. She’s the reason I have you and that I’m complete.”

“Connor,” she whines.

I nod. “I can’t bring your mother back. And I can’t give you my father. But I can give youyourfather. I need you to set up a meeting with Valdrin. You need to get his DNA.”

Nodding, she says, “Where?”

“My team will figure that out. It will be somewhere safe. Somewhere public.” I crouch in front of her. “Wherever it is, you won’t be alone.”

“He won’t hurt me. He’s had every opportunity.”

“I’m almost positive he won’t hurt you either.”

She paces again. “Right. Pick a diner. I’ll get his DNA somehow.”

“Anything he touches, just seal it in a bag.”

Then Raina sits, the gravity of it all weighing her down. “What happens if Valdrin Sokolovismy father?”

I will have one of the most dangerous men on the planet as a father-in-law.

A slow smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “We abduct him.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Raina

Sitting in Shane’s office on the UN construction site on Monday morning, I call Valdrin on a burner phone that feels like a brick in my hand. Shane blocked our location but ghosted it to appear as if it came from my cell phone, which is currently off and stored in Connor’s safe.

My heart pounds as it rings. Once. Twice. Then—

“Raina?” Valdrin’s voice is rough and hoarse. Like someone dragged glass across his throat.

My stomach twists. He’s hurt, and it’s my fault.

I sit up straighter, swallowing the ache in my chest. Time to wear the undercover mask.

“It’s me,” I say, ignoring all the penetrating Quinlan gazes on me.

“Where have you been?” Valdrin’s words are clipped, hiding that Noel’s men have been torturing him. He’s too proud to use my sympathy.

“I’ll tell you in person,” I say flatly. “Alone.”

He’s quiet for a beat, doubt lacing his ragged breaths. I can’t say much more because I’m sure Tahiri hacked his phone. Every second drags that same glass across my skin, thinking he’ll walk away from me.

Again.