Page 144 of Sweet Venom

“Were you also close with his previous girlfriends?”

“What girlfriends? He’s never had one of those. Don’t get me wrong, he’s my best friend, but he’s too brutish. If he gives you trouble, let me know.”

“What will you do? Punch him for me?”

“Hell yeah. I’ll be punched back ten times worse, but I’ll survive. It’ll be worth it for your beautiful smile.”

“What would be worth it for her beautiful smile?”

We both freeze at the newcomer’s voice. Or I do, because Preston’s cheerful expression immediately darkens, and his upper lip lifts in a snarl.

At first, I can’t make out the tall, broad guy who walks toward us with a slight smirk painting his lips.

Then I see his face under the dim light, and recognition sets in.

Marcus Osborn.

The Wolves’ captain and center, as well as one of Dahlia’s worst exes.

He has angular features and a scar that slices through his right eyebrow, giving him an unsettling presence. His dark-gray eyes look black in the lack of light as they flicker over me in a mechanical profiling.

It’s almost like he’s seizing merchandise.

I’ve never met Marcus before, only heard Dahlia curse him a thousand times over and had to listen to people idolize him in Stantonville.

“Go ahead.” Marcus’s eyes look void and creepily unsettling as he stares at me. “Show me thebeautifulsmile so I can decide what is worth it or if it’s worth anything at all.”

“The fuck are you doing here?” Preston nearly growls the words.

“Aw. Why so cold?” A spark lights up Marcus’s previouslydead eyes as he smirks, cocking his head in Preston’s direction. “Came to celebrate your win. Aren’t I supportive?”

“You—” Preston cuts himself off, then grins. “Wrong timing. As you can see, I’m busy with Vee.”

“Vee.” Marcus’s smirk drops and I shiver as he directs a glare at me. “Why don’t you smile for me, Vee? I’m trying to figure out if Armstrong has a fucking death wish on this fine night.”

“Leave her the fuck alone.” Preston punches him in the chest. “And you’re the one who seems to have a goddamn death wish, Osborn.”

I gasp when Marcus grabs Preston’s fist that’s on his chest.

Marcus’s knuckles are covered in bruises, some of them busted, as if he’s fresh out of a fight.

“My, oh my.” Marcus grins, his eyes shining bright. “Are you angry, my prince?”

Preston shoves him away and smiles at me, but it’s forced. He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go inside, Vee. Some fly is polluting my air with its constant buzzing.”

“I haven’t finished talking. Also, this needs to go.” Marcus grabs Preston’s wrist from my shoulder and twists so fast and powerfully that I think he’ll break his arm.

Preston releases himself and kicks Marcus. In the stomach.

“Motherfucking bitch! You just never know when to back the fuck off.” Preston kicks him again and again, but Marcus is just laughing.

The whole scene feels surreal to watch. As if I’ve been thrust into an alternative reality.

It’s the first time I’ve seen Preston this worked up, andI’m pretty sure that Marcus is normally the one doing the beating, not the other way around.

Preston stops kicking him, releasing a long breath and flashing him an entirely fake smile. “You got your five minutes of attention. Now, shoo and stop disturbing us.”

I think I see a flash of rage in Marcus’s eyes, but before I can focus on what’s going on, a motorcycle stops beside us—or more like screeches to a halt.