Page 148 of Lovely Venom

“I can’t andwon’tlive like this.”

Teasing me, he opens the door. “The entire Albanian Brotherhood is looking for you out there.”

Outside, the cool night air for the coming fall hits me like a slap. It’s a stark reality check on how much time has passed from that sweltering August night at Tahiri’s clubwhen this all began.

The street is quiet, except for Connor’s protection detail.

My eyes flutter. “Give me a guard.”

Connor studies me, and the war that breaks out on this face frightens me. This is a test. On both sides. And we both have to pass it.

“Aye.” He whistles, and Nero strides up to the front door.

He came back after Ruby was taken into protective custody.

“Yeah, boss?” he asks.

“Take Raina wherever she wants to go.” Connor backs off to let me leave.

“Want reports?” Nero asks.

“No.” Connor glances at me. “If she wants me to know where she is,she’lltell me.”

“Thank you, Connor,” I say, holding back tears.

But I don’t hug him, I’m afraid he won’t let me go.

I turn and flee the apartment.

Nero steers me to his SUV and helps me inside his midnight blue Tahoe parked at the curb. “Where to?”

“Just drive.” My mind is spinning.

Connor’s ring, his blue eyes, and the fear in my chest that I can never truly belong to anyone but myself are suffocating me.

Finally, I blurt out an address.

Nero’s Chevy rolls to a stop twenty minutes later. I stare up at Rhys’s building from the backseat window.

“Shall I call Mr. Rhys that you’re here?” he offers.

Exhaling, I say, “Yes, please.” After he makes the call, I add, “Can you leave me here?”

“Are those your orders?” Nero twists to watch me from the front seat.

I’m catching on to the lingo. Smiling, I say, “Those aremy orders. You can tell Mr. Connor I’m here. Let the guy calm down.”

“You got it, Ms. Raina.”

That triggers something in me. “How was Ruby these last couple of weeks?”

“She’s strong. That father of hers is a piece of work,” he grumbles.

“Want orders?” I whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Kill him.” I push out of the car and don’t look back, unsure if I have the power to order a death.