Page 15 of Sweet Venom

“It’s ‘pull the rug out from under them,’ not whatever crime against language you just committed.”

“I meant to add my special twist.”

I chuck a roll of tape at him, hitting him square in the chest. “Nah, you just don’t know your idioms.”

“I do.” He catches the tape before it rolls onto the floor, then stands, squaring up to me with a taunting dimpled grin. “You’re the boring prick who has not one ounce of creativity in his thick head.”

“I’ll knock your teeth out.”

“Oooh, is that a threat?”

“Fuck around and find out, Armstrong.”

“Oh my.” He lifts a hand to his chest in mock disbelief. “You have the heart to hurt my beautiful face?”

“Is beautiful in the room with us?”

“Pfft. You jealous, petty bitch? One day you’ll appreciate my genius more.”

“Doubt it.”

“That’s what they all say before they realize they can’t live without me. Oh, the horror. Imagine not having me in your life?”

I pause, my index finger tapping my lip as I pretend to be thinking. “Pretty peaceful, actually.”

“Why do you lie?” He’s about to punch me, but Kane steps in with the usual sigh of exasperation he gives when Pres and I bicker or start hitting each other for no reason whatsoever.

Actually, that reason is aggression. Something Kane can rise above but we can’t.

“If you’re done fighting like chickens, get dressed, Jude. I don’t have all night.”

Kane leaves first, and I throw on my sweatpants and shirtin record time before following him to the coach’s office down the hall of Vipers Arena—the pride and joy of Graystone University and, honestly, the entire town of Graystone Ridge.

We were born and bred here, raised in this pocket of wealth where centuries-old tradition collides with modern edge.

A place where old money doesn’t fade—it evolves, sharpens, and makes sure everyone remembers who built this town.

I find Kane leaning against the desk, staring at his phone with a tilted head and a hooded expression.

Not sure who or what captured his attention, but it’s bad news for the other party. While it’s true that he’s calm and collected, like all of us, he was born with a demon lurking inside him.

“Sorry I’m late!” Preston barges in behind me. “Not really sorry, but anyway. I’m here now. You’re welcome, bitches.”

“This has nothing to do with you,” I grunt as I close the door he left wide open.

“Nonsense. Everything has to do with me.” He grins, trudging to Kane’s side and hitting his shoulder. “What’s the plan? And don’t be boring.”

Kane doesn’t acknowledge either of us for a while, still staring at his phone.

Even though Kane is the captain, he shouldn’t have free access to the coach’s office.

In theory, at least.

In practice, the three of us have unrestricted access—not just to Graystone University, or GU, but to the entire town of Graystone Ridge.

Our clearance comes in the form of the black ring on each of our index fingers.

They’re more than just symbols of status. They’re proofthat we belong—not only to the founding families of this town, but to the secret society that shadows it.