Page 12 of Angel

The idea of having sex with Venom—even if it’s pretend—makes me want to drown myself in the Ohio River. But I can pretend pretty well. My whole life has centered around pretending.

Jules scurries off to help a customer while Tequila and I stay silent at the bar. The Fallen Star is our new home away from home, but I get an ill feeling in the pit of my stomach, thinking about how the Skulls’ clubhouse is going to temporarily fill that role.

“You know I’m going to be worried sick about you every day, right?”

“Tequila, I’m not moving in. I can come and go as I please. I’m not going to be a prisoner there.”

“Ha, are you sure about that? I mean, won’t they get suspicious?” She pauses, looking at her empty shot glass. “Aren’t they going to expect you to stay with Venom? To make it believable.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. “Okay, we’re going to need a lot more of these.”

Jules comes back with four full shot glasses. “I read your minds.” I grab the glass and gulp it down, and Tequila follows suit. “Charger was not happy. He was fuming yesterday after the meeting. Yes, he hates to see Venom walk free, but he also doesn’t want to see you get hurt.” Jules flashes a smile, but it quickly fades. “I hate to say it, because I am in no way sticking up for the guy, but…”

“Oh, hell no, Jules. Whatever it is you’re going to say, please do not let it be you defending that man in any way, shape, or form.” Tequila throws herself back into the stool.

“All I was going to say is… he did kind of save me from Scorpion when he wanted to get a little too friendly, and I can’t help but think that the reason the guys caught him was because he came back to help me at the end. I mean, why else was he there? He left with Scorpion. I saw it.”

Tequila and I stare at her like she’s sprouted another head. I admire her kindness, always trying to think of the good in people, but there is no good in that man. He’s scum, just like his club.

“Jules, our little delusional friend, we love you, but no.” Tequila hooks her arm in mine. “Angel, promise us one thing.”

I rest my chin in my hand. “What’s that?”

“Don’t try to win every battle, especially not inside the Skulls’ clubhouse. We want you to stay out of trouble.”

“You think I’m going to get into trouble?”

Tequila’s eyes flash with uncertainty. “I mean, I’m just saying, maybe think before you let out all that sass.”

Jules agrees, and I sigh. “I can’t promise such things.” I smile as sincerely as I can while downing my shot.

“I heard you ladies talking, so I brought another round for good luck.” Lucy struts over, smiling and holding two more shot glasses. “Sounds like you need some liquid therapy.”

“Okay, no, I cannot go in there hungover.”

“No, you can’t.” Tequila steals my shot and downs it before I have time to argue. “There! I took it for you. Because fuck, if this isn’t the worst idea in the history of all ideas.”

I shake my head and all four of us laugh.

The plan does weigh heavily on me. What if it doesn’t work? What if something happens? Something bad. But we need to find and stop Scorpion. And if this is the only way… then I will give it my all. Another task to put my full effort into.

This one’s for you, father.

After we get back from the Fallen Star, Bullet shows me some things that should keep me safe, if need be. He nudges his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He goes from a badass tattooed biker to Clark Kent, and no doubt the ladies would be swooning if he wore that Superman spandex.

“I programed your phone so we can see where you’re at, at all times.”

“Couldn’t we have just used the Find My Friends app?” I cock a hip, giving him a playful grin.

“Oh, sweetheart, this is a little more advanced than some app.”

“Right, got it.”

“And this.” Bullet tilts the phone. “This is an emergency alert button, like your iPhone has, but instead of it going to the police, it goes to us. It notifies every one of our phones. So, if you’re in trouble, press this, and we’ll come running.”

“And what happens if I’m not able to press this button?”

Bullet’s smile fades. Worry floods his eyes. “Then you fight like hell, got it?”

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