Page 86 of Scorned

“What about Strike? Do the same rules apply?” Lyric asked, her questions mirroring my previous thoughts.

Ravage’s eyes shifted toward Winnie, indicating he had some undisclosed information.

“Just tell us, Pooh Bear.”

Winnie rotated the plugs in his gauged ears, something I noticed he did when nervous. “No one can tell my sister because she’d kill us, but I went through every Venom file I obtained and Strike wasn’t on the list. I even checked under his real name, Daniel Draven.”

The news hit me with an overwhelming force. I tightened my fist and pressed it to my lips, my heart fluttering in my chest.

Vivi had convinced herself that we would safely rescue her man, but now the probability of that happening was very slim, and it pained me knowing she’d have to continue with her suffering.

As I wondered why Winnie hadn’t disclosed this information to her, I suddenly realized the answer. The prolonged separation from Strike had an intense, emotional impact on Vivi and was the main reason Winnie and Ravage didn’t want her doing this mission. Without hesitation, she would set fire to VRC or do anything else she deemed necessary to locate Strike.

And I didn’t blame her. If they had said I couldn’t come, I would have stolen another motorcycle and been waiting at the hotel when they arrived.

Winnie passed out small earbuds for communication, then dug into a black duffle bag. He pulled out a handful of badges, and only handed them to the humans. “These will get you past security. Remember not to use anyone’s real name while we’re in there.”

He handed me mine and I clipped it on my black T-shirt. “Where did you get these?”

“I picked them up from Naomi yesterday,” Ravage stated, a huge grin engulfing his face. “When Winnie described what she looked like, he’d forgotten to mention how sexy she was. And tall. I’m six five and it’s rare to stand next to a woman only a few inches shorter. Made me want to rip her clothes off.”

“Maybe her head, but not her clothes,” Winnie said, eyeing Ravage.

“I don’t think she’s a threat to us, son. But if she is, we’ll know. The truth always reveals itself.” Ravage glanced at his vintage silver watch and I immediately wondered how old it was . . . and how old he was. “Get armed. We’re leaving in twenty minutes.”

After he left the hotel room, I moseyed over to the other bed lined with guns, picked up my Beretta, and slid it into the holster hanging from my hip. I was used to back carrying so I hated it, but it was how normal Venom guards carried, and since I was pretending to be one today, I’d have to play the part.

In an attempt to conceal my identity, I had already pulled my hair back tightly into a small bun at the nape of my neck and donned a breton cap, which was one of the few approved hats for Venom society members.

I tucked my black T-shirt into my black Venom-issued tactical pants before sliding on the matching jacket. “Where did you get all this stuff, Pooh Bear?”

“Also, Naomi.”

I furrowed my brows. Naomi is being awful helpful.

“You and Erik were lucky to be a part of the field crew,” Lyric said, racking her gun and sliding it into her holster. “You guys could wear whatever you wanted to blend in with civilians and we had to dress like this every day.”

Winnie pulled Lyric close to him. “I think it’s sexy, mama. You’re like an adorable Rambo.”

Lyric squished up her nose and I laughed. “I’m going to see if it’s still raining. I’ll meet you guys outside.”

When I went to leave the room, Marcus stepped in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders and leaning into my face. “You can do this. I have faith in you.” He pulled me into a hug and whispered, “I love you, Sagelynn.”

“I love you, too.”

He let go and moved to the side, opening the door for me. I left the hotel room, my mind flooding with the lies I told as I took the elevator down.

Well, I guess they weren’t technically lies. I only said I understood Luka would kill me if I fed him, not that I wouldn’t do it.

Upon entering the lobby, a heaviness settled in my chest, a foreboding sensation growing in the core of my being. Although I knew how strong and trained my friends were, there was a trickle of fear warning me something horrible was going to happen. I wasn’t sure if it was from my anxiety or because I had supposed witch abilities. If I did, now would be a good time for them to kick in.

Outside, I found Ravage under the hotel awning, leaning against the building, smoking a cigarette. “I think those things have a surgeon general warning. A man of your age should know better.”

He tipped his chin toward me, sporting a fanged smile. “Your sarcasm must be the reason my boy fell so hard for you.”

A thunderstorm had rolled through, chilling the air, so I zipped my jacket closed. “And here I thought it was because I tried to kill him.”

He took a long drag, pursed his lips, and blew it out on a nod. “I see you know a quick way into a man’s heart. With and without a stake.”

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