Page 88 of Sweet Venom

“As for why you’re here…” Julian’s voice brings my attention back to the present as he flips another page. “Jude tried to kill you, but I saved you.”

My lips tremble, my whole body going into shock. “W-what?”

“He was the one who sent the killers. They work for him—or, more accurately, follow his command in our organization hierarchy.”

“Why would he do that to Mario?”

“Because Mario was overstepping in his duties. He got too close to the subject he was watching, and that’s not how it works. He failed to do his job and, therefore, is considered collateral damage.”

That’s what the guy called Mario—collateral damage—right as he was bleeding out on the pavement.

As if he were an insect.

Because the lives of people like me and Mario don’t matter to people like Jude and Julian.

And yet my chest hurts at the thought that Jude really stooped that low. That…he’d kill me and Mario in a heartbeat.

Over our last couple of encounters, I thought I was feeling some softness in him. Even his words about not blaming me but my mom soothed me, and I felt like…something was different.

Apparently, I was wrong and Mario was right—I’m a horrible judge of character.

“Do I not get a thank-you for saving your life, Violet?” He flips a page, then another and another. “It was a hassle to have my people kidnap you from your assailant and bring you to the hospital.”

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “You couldn’t care less about my life. It’s unimportant, just like Mario’s. So, no, I won’t be thanking you, because you had an ulterior motive behind your actions.”

His lips curve in a smile. “I can see why Jude chose to play with you for a while before killing you. Despite the innocent appearance, you’re smart, so I’d appreciate it if you keep the intelligence streak throughout this conversation. Let me ask you, Violet. What do you want?”

“You and your brother out of my life.”

“You got it.”

My lips part, but then I purse them again, holding on to the courage even if my hands shake.

He’s messing with me. Hehasto be.

“Excuse me if I don’t believe that. Jude said he wouldn’t leave me alone until I died. Just because he failed once doesn’t mean he won’t try again or go back to watching my every move and threatening my sister so that I’ll do his bidding.”

“You’re correct. He wouldn’t. Unfortunately, Jude is…persistent, to put it mildly, and he’ll find you even if you run. Lucky for you, I have a solution.”

“What type of solution?”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I run the Callahan empire, which is the pioneer in the medical-industrial complex. The reason we made it this far isn’t because of transparent and on-the-record testing, it’s because we use unofficialmethods as well. My scientists developed an interesting coma-inducing drug with little to negligible side effects. It’d revolutionize the industry; however, we know we won’t get the approval to test it, considering its volatile key composition, but you see, Ineedto test it.”

“You wantmeto test it? Is that it?”

“Yes. Your blood tests are extremely promising. You have the near-perfect genetic profile to test it.”

“I refuse.”

“Then you’ll die by Jude’s hands sooner or later or be driven to slit your wrists. That’s not ideal, is it?” He leans over, still gripping the book. “Especially since Jude arranged for Dahlia’s scholarship to GU, where he can hurt her anytime he wants just to get to you.”

My spine jerks. “Jude said he didn’t…”

“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.” He closes the book and then taps it with a finger. “According to this clown.”

I swipe my finger against my tattoo, back and forth. I don’t care what Jude does to me, though I feel stupid for feeling a spark of something whenever he touched me or texted me, but I’ll never allow something to happen to Dahlia because of me.

Never.