Page 87 of Venomous Kiss

“Well, I’m alive.”

She rubs my arm, and I flinch. She pulls up my sleeve, sees the bandage, and gasps. “What did they do?” she asks worriedly.

I don’t know if I should tell her. It’s probably not the smartest thing to do, considering that her first love died in the same type of Hunt I was in last night. I’m pretty sure I’m not even supposed to know where the Hunt takes place, but I can’t forget that location because it’s burned into my mind.

“I—” The explanation freezes on the tip of my tongue. I’m unsure if telling her might put her in danger, which is the last thing I want to do.

“Don’t tell me. It’s fine. I get it. But please, tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m good,” I assure her. “What did Dad say?”

She clasps her hand around mine and pulls me into the house. It’s getting late, and the sun is starting to set. I didn’t think I could be more tired than last night, but somehow, I am.

“He told me to grab you and take you as far away from this place and from those men as possible.” She shuts the front door behind me and locks it. I see a gun sitting on the table next to the door, and I cringe.

I held one like it in the forest.

“It’s for protection,” she says when she notices me eyeing the weapon.

“You’d use it?”

“To protect you, you bet your bottom dollar I would.” She nods with assurance. “Now, come in and let me feed you. You look sick.”

“I’m tired. Do you think you can drive me home?”

“Where is your car?” she asks. “You came in an Uber.”

“I didn’t want to worry you, but I need to buy a new car. Mine… broke down.” I shrug.

“Why do I feel like you’re lying?” Linda shakes her head. “It’s fine. You tell me what you are comfortable telling me, and that’s it. I’ll take whatever you give me.” I feel bad all of a sudden. “By the way, your ex came around today looking for you.”

I freeze at the information, my brows drawing together solidly. “Deven came here?”

“Vile creature, that one. When I told him to get lost, he sneered at me and said I was trash. That’s why you weren’t allowed to see me.”

“I’m sorry. He’s the trash.”

“Yeah, I know that.”

She smiles, goes to her bedroom, and comes out with her keys.

“Please, stay, just for a night. You look tired, and I want to make sure you’re safe.” A part of me wants to go home, while the other wants to sleep. “The bed is made. I’ll take you home tomorrow.”

I nod at her words, and before I know it, the next morning, she’s at my door when I open my eyes. “What would you like to eat?”

“Nothing. But thank you.”

Her cell starts ringing, and she smiles at me when she sees who it is. “It’s your father.”

“Don’t tell him I’m here. Tell him I’m at home and that I am safe.”

“You don’t want to speak to him?”

“No.” My head is too muddled to deal with him on top of everything else.

I just want to be home.

She puts the call on speakerphone, and I hear my dad ask, “Linda, have you heard from her?”