Page 64 of Lovely Venom

She smiles. “Whiskey?”

“Bless you.” I relax. “I’ll also take a burger and fries to go.”

My head spinning, I start working on my story. I have to explain why Connor is still breathing. These next few minutes tick by as I watch the door to the diner. If Noel’s people were following me, surely, they’d have tackled me outside or come storming in here by now.

They’ll have to accept that I failed. Reaching into my brain, I sip the short glass of Maker's Mark over ice that the server brought me. Maybe my failure will force them to come up with another plan to deal with Connor. Maybe offersome kind of truce.

But the same question hits my brain again. Why does Connor not know the Albanians sent me if he killed theirkyre?

My father.

I wait again for something to stir inside me.

Rage. Fury. Destruction.

Nothing. I feel nothing for the man. I’m stuck, alone, and out of options. But this family that found me out of nowhere is offering me a place to stay. Ugh, even if I have to marry Noel.

Disgust. Revulsion. Terror.

There!My emotions are kicking in. Whew, I thought I was numb.

“Your order is ready.” The server brings a bag to the register.

Relieved that my cash is still in my purse, I pay for the food. When the server tells me a minute later that my ride is waiting outside, I thank her and get into the Town Car.

The driver asks me where to go, and I give him my address.

Praying no one blows us up.

THE NEXT MORNING, Iturn over and wince at how sore I am. Just as Connor predicted. Mr. All Heat and Muscle made love to me in his bed and then came in my mouth to claim me as his.

The clattering of my phone knocks me from my thoughts. Recognizing Valdrin’s phone number, I consider not answering, but that’s just delaying the inevitable.

“Yeah,” I answer.

“You were supposed to text me last night.”

“What time is it?” I play dumb and sit up.

“Six-thirty in the morning. Did you do it? Is he dead?”

No, he most certainly is not dead.

I might be, though. Heat pools between my thighs, a reminder of just how badly I failed at killing Connor Quinlan.

“No.” I keep my voice flat and unapologetic.

Silence rings out on the other end of the line, so loud I worry.

Stay strong, Raina.

“I waited until dawn for him. He never showed up.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Valdrin says with steely annoyance. “A man like Connor Quinlan doesn’t just disappear for the night.”

I force out a humorless chuckle. “You think I’m lying?”

“Why didn’t you text me when you finally gave up and left?” he shrills with a warning tone. “I stayed up all night expecting a message from you.”