Page 96 of Lovely Venom

“It was still a Quinlan who killed theirkyre,” she sayssoftly. “They just got you and Shane confused.”

“True.” I nod. “Did they bother to tell youwhywe killed him?”

She thinks about that. “It sounded like some turf scuffle.”

“Turf scuffle?” I don’t mean to mock her. I’m angry at them, not her. “Berisha stormed my sister-in-law’s club, killed a dozen people, dragged her by the hair into her office, and then thekyrehimself, tried to rape her. My brother’s wife. Hispregnantwife.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “God, I’m sorry.”

“He didn’t even get his pants unzipped. Shane got there and killed him.” I grip her chin. “Raina, that man wasnotyour father.”

Her lips part. “How are you so sure?”

I cup her shoulders softly. “We had his DNA from the attack, and I had yours. Our testing is top-notch. The results are accurate.”

Confusion, betrayal, and rage simmer in her gaze. She doesn’t know what to do with those emotions.

Neither do I.

So, I do the only thing that makes sense. I kiss her.

She gasps, but I don’t give her a chance to pull away. My hands slide to her face, fingers tangling in her braid. She’s soft, warm, and trembling against me.

Then she kisses me back.

I pull off and gaze into her eyes. “Do you believe me? I want to trust you. Uncuff you and feel your hands all over me tonight.”

And the next night and the next. But I don’t voice that. It hits me that I’ve just made this little stray cat mine. I’m not letting her go.

Ever.

“It’s okay, Venom. You’re mine. I promise that no one will hurt you.” I slowly reach around for the handcuffsand slide the lever to release one hand.

I bring it around and kiss it. Then place it against my face. “Punch me if you want. Scratch me.”

Blinking, she says, “I don’t want to punch you. I just want...”

“What, Venom? What do you want?”

Her eyes rake over my body. “I want you.”

I crash my mouth against hers while loosening the other hand. She grips the back of my neck and kisses me with a desperation that drives every swipe of her tongue against mine. It’s frantic and messy. Her hands clutch the ridges in my abs, dragging me closer.

I don’t hold back, I go at her like my life depends on it. In a very real way, it does, since she can kill me. I deepen the kiss and devour her. Right now, she’s the only thing that exists on this fucking planet.

Her breath is uneven, her body pressed against mine.

This is chaos. This is a mistake.

But fuck if I care.

Raina visibly quivers as I reach for her pants. With the pop of the top button and lowering of her zipper, her breaths come in short clips. Keeping my eyes on her, I slip a finger beneath the soft panties and swipe across smooth skin until I reach her center.

And fuck, she’s dripping wet for me.

Game. On.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN