Page 54 of Venomous Kiss

“I’m sorry, Linda.”

She offers me a small smile while wiping her tears away. “No, dear, I’m sorry you’re now a part of that world. If I were sober back then, I would have taken you far away…” she murmurs, her gaze distant, as if she were lost in regret. “Away from all this.”

I can’t argue with her. I’m starting to wonder if things would be different had she taken me away from this world. I wonder if instead of sneaking out to find love in another’s bed, would I be living a different life?

I don’t know.

I really don’t know.

TWENTY-ONE

REON

“You should leave,” I tell Maya, finally having had enough of her in my space. The tension and awkwardness of living with someone you don’t want is hard enough, but knowing the one woman I yearn for is not beside me, in my home, in my bed, is becoming unbearable.

She’s been avoiding me since I came home the other day after seeing my beautiful caterpillar. Seeing her only solidified that this has to end—no more fucking excuses, no more threats. I’m done.

“Sorry, what?” Her eyes appear glazed, and she shakes her head, a look of confusion washing over her features as if she’s adrift in uncertainty.

“Maya, it’s not working. You should leave.”

“I…” Her hand goes to her head, and she stands on shaky legs. I watch her, a hint of concern finally hitting me. She’s been lying on the couch for the last few days, hardly moving. “I don’t feel well.”

“Maya.” I reach for her and manage to catch her just before she falls. “Maya, wake up.” She doesn’t respond, so I lift her and lay her back down on the couch before I call an ambulance. I check that she’s still breathing and wait. I don’t know what to do. I’m not a trained medical professional, so I have no idea what’s wrong with her.

Her phone starts ringing, and her eyes begin to flutter. I grab it and answer.

“Maya, finally, you answer,” Soren’s voice rings through the cell phone.

“What’s wrong with Maya?” I ask him.

“Reon, why are you answering her phone?”

“Your sister fainted. She’s finally waking up now. I caught her before she hit her head.”

“Did you call an ambulance?” he asks.

“Of course I did,” I tell him. “Care to tell me why Maya’s fainting?”

“Maybe it’s something you did, Reon. Have you thought about that?” I pull the cell away, shocked by his words.

I lower my voice to an eerily controlled tone. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“It’s my heart,” Maya says, her gaze fully on me now.

“What do you mean… it’s your heart?” I ignore Soren on the phone and focus on her.

“She has cardiac syncope,” Soren informs me.

“I faint,” Maya says. “Because of my heart.”

“Why the fuck would you not tell me?” I question them. Soren says something, and I hang up on him as I hear the ambulance. When I let the paramedics inside, they check her over while I stand near the door, watching.

“I’m going to go with them to get some tests done,” Maya says. “Do you want to come?”

I bite my bottom lip. Nodding, I grab my cell and pocket it as I reach for my keys. “I’ll follow.” Maya’s hopeful expression falls, but she doesn’t say another word. My cell rings several times, and I see Soren’s name each time. I don’t answer, and that’s wrong of me. I know it is, but I’m fucking tired of playing by these rules. I’ve done it my entire adult life, and I’m finally at my breaking point. I’m sick of this fucking nightmare I can’t seem to escape.

Sure, it was my fault for wanting to be a part of the Forsaken Society, and yes, it has helped me make my company more successful than I could have ever achieved on my own. But am I fucking happy? That answer would be no.