Page 53 of Lovely Venom

I take a chance and turn around. I doubt a man like him would jump a woman from behind. That’s too easy.

I amble toward the window. I have no idea what the hell he wants me to look at, but the second my eyes focus, I jump back in horror. “Oh no.”

Three men stand guard in the courtyard.

I’m trapped. “They’re not here all the time.”

“There’s never anything valuable in here.” He keeps the belt wrapped in his right hand. “Except right now. And that’s you.”

“Thanks?” I answer, my head spinning.

What in fuck’s sake do I tell Valdrin?

“Perhaps you need more convincing.” Connor strips out of his dress shirt.

A vibrant green and gold tattoo on his chest that looks carved from marble catches my eye, and I’m glued to his body.

“You like my new ink?” He rubs a detailed cobra on his left side.

Looking closer, I see the back is a braid that looks likemyhair. “Is that supposed to be me?”

“Aye. For weeks, it’s all I thought I’d have of you. And I endured the pain of thinking I’d never see you, neverfuckyou again.”

God, yes, please. Hurt me, my soul whispers.

“Let’s reset the game here, Venom.” Connor stands there shirtless. “You broke into my house. You’re armed to kill me. We can fake wrestle to build up the sexual tension that is already smoking between us. Iwillget your weapons away from you. Icankill you. I can also open that door and let you make a run for it. My guards will chase you down and they’ll kill you.”

It’s all crystallizing for me. “Looks that way.”

“Now, you owe me something.”

“I’m sorry.”

He laughs. “Not an apology.”

“I owe you my body?” My stomach knots uncomfortably, all while my core tightens.

Sick, I’m sick.

“And you deserve my body as a reward for being so bold and brave.” He runs a hand down his chest until he grips the bulge in his pants. “You deserve to ride my cock. Why is this not an easy choice for you? Sex with me or death?”

I need a minute to process that. “And if I say a flat-out no to the sex?”

He exhales. “Then we go to my tunnel, and I use other methods to find out who sent you. Better men than you have held out until their last breath. Do you want to die, Raina?”

Using my actual name hits me in the chest that I might have pushed him too far. “No, of course not.”

“You’re a lucky lass. I don’t offer my cock to just anyone in exchange for their life,” he says with a surprisingly dignified tone.

“Sleep with you and I walk out of here alive?”

“Walking funny and sore. And counting the hours until you come back for more.”

My mind races with thoughts beyond just spending the night with Connor, which admittedly, I want. I just wish we were still two anonymous people.

I wonder if I can talk Noel out of this insane strike against Quinlan Empire. Killing the don’sbrotherwithout a sit-down to negotiate will unleash a fury the likes of a nuclear bomb on this city.

My brain, however, keeps its focus on Connor’s belt, and anticipation tingles up my spine.