Page 25 of Sweet Venom

This is a man who’d crush me beneath his boot without a second thought. He’d dismantle me just for his sick entertainment.

No, not entertainment.

Revenge.

I’d be able to feel more victimized and sorry for myself if he were just some run-of-the-mill stalker, but now that I know his motives, I can only hang my head in shame.

What am I even supposed to say?

That I’m a coward?

“You know.” His chest rises and falls in a quicker rhythm, and it’s contagious, making mine just as frantic. “I’ve killed six of the people who watched my mother being stabbed to death and did nothing. You’re number seven on the list.”

“I’m sorry?—”

“Shut the fuck up.” His face is closer now, peering intome, and I’m scared to breathe. “Your apology means jack shit to me.”

My lips tremble, sweat beading along my temples and down my back. “I really am. I…have been dreaming about her for months, and I know my actions are unforgivable, but I…”

I gulp, the words balling in my throat, refusing to be spit out.

“You what?”

“I know everything I say will sound like an excuse, and it probably is. But if I had a redo?—”

“You don’t. None of you do. It’s why I’m slaughtering every single one of you, Violet.” His voice is frighteningly low. “If my mother doesn’t get to breathe anymore, why should you? You stood by while she was bleeding in the street, so I decided to be your personal grim reaper. One you’ll never escape.”

My jaw hurts from how tightly I’m locking it, but I remain silent. I don’t think he wants to hear me talk.

His pain has transformed into hot rage, and all I can do is stand here as he burns me alive.

So what if I tell him my semi-dormant suicidal ideations have been a constant itch beneath my skin since that day?

Or that I freeze in times of danger, so if the man who stabbed Susie stabbed me, I’d still be frozen to the spot.

He wouldn’t believe my excuses.

I don’t think he even wants to hear them.

“But I won’t be your grim reaper.” Jude grabs my nape and my whole body stiffens. “At least, not yet. You see…”

He searches my eyes, peering down at me with an intensity that burns despite the chilly air.

“I would’ve killed the previous ones by now, after Ihunted them down and made them lose all hope, but you…” He runs his harsh gaze over me. “Death doesn’t scare you, so you need appropriate torture. Hmm. What do you have to offer me, Violet?”

I swallow and hesitate, conscious that my lips could touch his full ones when I speak, then say, “I’m fine with whatever. Just don’t bring Dahlia into this.”

“You don’t get to dictate the rules.” He releases me with a shove, back to being disgusted with me. “Your role is to obey.”

“Obey what?”

“Me.” He slides his gaze from my shoes up my body, and it’s like I’m being stripped naked.

It’s that uncomfortable male gaze I’m used to, but this time, it’s more…malicious rather than sexual.

“From now on, your life is mine. You don’t get to die or hurt yourself as long as I don’t allow it.” His lips curl into a small smirk, something I’ve never seen on his face before. “I’ll see you around, Violet.”

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