Page 63 of Lovely Venom

Twice now, I had a chance to run for it, but I’m stuck here. Mesmerized. Like it’s a car accident and I can’t look away. Or a bad movie, but I need to find out what happens.

He saunters up to me, the paper between two fingers. “Open your mouth?”

“What?”

“Don’t make me ask you twice.” His voice and this ruthless side of him trigger something primal and wickedin me.

I open my mouth, and he shoves the paper inside. Before I can spit it out, Connor crashes his lips down on mine. He kisses me with savage possession.

My hands grip his waist, and my brain twitches, feeling the gun. I grab it, pushing him back. Spitting the paper out of my mouth, I point it at him.

Before I can think, I aim for his leg and pull the trigger.

Click.

Horrified, I stutter, “It’s not loaded?”

“Do you think I’d let you get near a loaded gun?” He bends down and picks up the address. “I’ll take this.” He slips the gun from me and tucks the paper with his assassin’s address into the front pocket of my pants.

The last few seconds hit me, and my entire body trembles. “Why are you laughing? I just tried to kill you.”

“And you’re a woman of your word. I’ll be more careful next time.” He takes my hand and brings me into the living room.

“Next time.” I fight to slow my heart rate.

“You’ll be trying again, won’t you?”

“Damn right, I will be.”

“Good. When?” He leans against his kitchen island, which opens to the living room.

I glance out the window to look at the courtyard. My blood pressure lowers when I see that his guards are gone. Or maybe they’re hiding.

“When, Venom?” Connor’s voice turns me around. “When are you coming back to kill me?”

“Why would I tell you that?” I start backing up toward the front door.

“I want to make sure I’m home.” He grins. “And so we understand each other, every time I get your weapons from you, we take another turn in the sheets.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Raina

Itear out of Connor’s apartment with my arousal still dripping down my thighs.

Getting my bearings while waiting for some enforcer or assassin to jump out at me from all these trees and bushes, I follow the lights until I reach the main road. There, I fast walk to the next block and duck into an all-night diner. With shaking hands, I order an Uber, then delete it, thinking it places me at the scene if Connor ends up dead.

“Can I help you?” a server asks me.

I stare at her.

Trust no one.

Having no choice, I clear my throat. “Can you call a taxi for me?”

“My cousin has a livery service. I’ll text him for you.” She points to a booth. “Have a seat. Coffee?”

“Have anything stronger?”