Page 89 of Renascence

I turn to see the giant from the cage match approaching. He stands between the two groups of men, glancing from one to the other.

“No problem, just a minor obstruction,” Gage replies.

The other men back away slowly, the leader issuing a warning. “This ain’t over, Dealer.”

A chill runs down my spine at his words. Not the good kind. I guess this is what Venom meant by “unfriendlies.”

A gorgeous woman runs up to the fighter, and he throws his arm around her.

“You guys okay?”

“Thanks for the assist,” Gage says, shaking the man’s hand.

“No problem.”

The men gather around K.O., offering congratulations on the fight. I pull Venom aside, letting him in on the plan that I’ve now decided on.

“Listen, my parents live a few minutes away. I was thinking I’d stay with them tonight.”

His expression is blank as he asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll just get a cab or something.”

“No need. We’ll drop you off.”

Knowing better than to argue, I nod. “I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Sure thing, darlin’.”

We head to the van, and as I climb in, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I turn my head to look behind me, thinking it’s James again. The face I see has a hard stare and a cold, calculating grin.

And it’s not James.

CHAPTER 14

***Venom***

I’m convinced Emily has put a spell on me with her unicorn pussy.

I haven’t heard from her in days, yet here I am, wrapping her Christmas gifts. She never did call me after the fight. I figured she needed some time, so I gave it to her. She’s not back from Atlanta, either. Jeff told me. Maybe this is for the best. Einstein said I should allow her to make a choice, and I am. If that little bit of information causes her to run, she has no business being around me or my club. She’s better off going back to her school teacher life, finding a man who has a reliable nine-to-five and doesn’t inject snake venom into a man to get what he wants.

I place the wrapped boxes in my closet, unsure if I’ll get the opportunity to give them to her. It’s Christmas Day, my family is in the bar enjoying it and each other, and here I am holed up with a bottle of whiskey and a cigar. An unwelcome knock at the door makes me groan. These Hounds don’t give up. This is the third time today Marisol has “checked” on me.

“Go away!”

“Venom,” comes a soft, tentative voice. One that’s definitely not unwelcome. “It’s me.”

I throw the door open, wondering if I’m hearing things. The woman standing on the other side makes me wonder if I’m seeing things also.

“Emily?”

“Hi.” She gives me a weak smile. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I close the door behind us, sitting on the bed and watching her expectantly.

“I’m sorry I haven’t called. I’ve just been… thinking.”