Page 61 of Poison Touch (Monarch Vipers #1)

KINSLEY

I want to hate Edge.

I need to hate Edge.

Everything would be easier if he hated me. He has no idea what he’s asking. The only problem is that he may be playing me as much as I’m playing him. So our dance isn’t so different. It’s the same song and steps. The only difference is I know how this ends.

My trust, pain, anger, and hate toward Venom have grown into a tsunami of fury. I’m scared of what this rage will do to me, who I will become when I carry out my revenge. The stakes are higher than I thought.

Am I willing to die to avenge my father?

He would never forgive me. But instantly, the answer is clear. He’s worth that risk, and so are all the other fighters who are killed for sport.

Next to me, my phone buzzes in my bag. I slide it from my pocket and glance at the screen. There’s a text from Kade.

Python agreed to meet with you

I put the phone into the side sleeve of my bag before Edge has a chance to see the message.

Edge reaches up and tucks loose strands of my hair behind my ear. “I want you to know you can trust me, Ninja.”

What he wants—what he’s asking—for me to trust him after everything that happened, I can’t possibly give him that one thing that may save me in the end.

I stroke the lotus pendant at the base of my throat for strength.

Not only do I have trust issues with the guy I’m falling for, a murderer to meet, and a new plan of attack to devise—preferably one that won’t get me killed—I need to keep my emotions in check.

I can’t allow Edge to break me down into nothing but a pile of sappy feelings.

As I look up at him, I can’t focus anywhere but on his exquisite face.

His dark and dangerous eyes penetrate me in ways that make me want to crumble and give in to him, but I won’t allow myself to shatter that easily.

I owe it to my father and to myself. With everything he told me, I have a lot to process, but I know one thing for sure.

The last UG was my final one as being just a spectator.

“When’s the next fight?”

He drops his head into his hands. “Please, Kinsley, don’t do this.”

I stand and drape my backpack over my shoulder. “It’s the only way.”

“It’s not safe.”

“It never was.” Offering a dry laugh, I add, “I have the scars to prove that.”

There’s nothing he can say to counter the truth.

“I’ll find out for myself. And, I assume I’ll see you there.

” It pains me to turn my back on the only guy I’ve ever felt this deeply for.

Something I’ve learned from my past: most things suck shit before the light can shine through.

And something tells me whatever we have between us is no different.

If we break, then it was never meant to be.

If we survive, that’ll be the real challenge.