Page 56 of The Bitterness of Venom

She pauses when she sees me.

“What’s wrong, Freckles?” I ask, lacing our fingers together as we head to my car.

“I don’t trust them with Ana.” She looks over her shoulder as the two people load up the little girl.

“Want me to have someone follow them?”

She doesn’t even think about it or look ashamed when she says, “Yes.”

I chuckle, bringing her knuckles to my lips. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you.”

I know what I said. I won’t filter my thoughts and feelings because she wants to prolong the inevitable.

“I love you too.”

I don’t make a big deal out of it like I want to, because I want it to feel natural between us.

“Let’s go get you some sushi and another romance book.”

She hums. “Only if you read it to me.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

I’m in the crowd,glaring at drunk hockey fans. Destiny is next to me, belonging to the less drunk population here. I smooth my white jersey with my hands. Unlike everyone else here, mine is white and pink. The number13on my chest and back,Rickmanacross my shoulder blades.

Desmond wasn’t impressed when he saw I cut the bottom off so it’s cropped. He said my only saving grace is that it has his name and number on it, because he isn’t keen on people seeing me lookingso fucking hot.

I have pants on. It’s December and fuckingcold out. The whole school is excited for Christmas break that officially starts right after this game.

The buzzer goes off and I cheer as Jasper raises his hands in victory. Destiny jumps up and down along with the crowd. Her boyfriend hops over the bench, banging on the glass we are sitting directly behind. He makes a heart at Destiny, and I think she starts crying, but I can’t be sure because my eyes have been captured by liquid honey as Desmond sends a wink my way.

Fine, I swoon. So what?

And blush. Totally normal.

Plus, that’s my boyfriend.

Desmond Rickman is all fucking mine.

Later that night,I stand with my hands on my hips as I stare at my black Christmas tree. It’s fantastic and screams Desmond and me with the hints of light pink and royal blue.

Desmond pulls me to him, wrapping his strong arms around my waist. His lips twitch as he says, “I got you something.”

“You shouldn’t have. I didn’t get you anything.” And that’s because we agreed on this. Not to mention it’s not even Christmas yet.

He smiles, lacing our fingers together. “That’s all right.” He brings our joined hands to his chest. His pulse races and beats a mile a minute. “I’m giving you my heart. Whether you want it or not, it’s yours now. You can stomp on it, smash it to pieces, whatever you want.” He pauses, allowing me to see the vulnerability in his eyes before it’s replaced with dark desire. “But I’m hoping you’ll keep it. And if you do, no returns.” He slips a ring on my left hand.

I gasp, looking down at the giant pink ring. It’s so big and flashy and, fuck, it’s kind of heavy. My cheeks become wet and I look up at him. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Nah, baby. I don’t ask, I take.” He presses his lips to mine, pulling me into his chest and crushing our bodies together.

“Yes anyway.”

He smiles into my mouth. “Blaise Rickman. Sounds like someone’s hot wife.”

EPILOGUE

The grimy manI used to call my uncle sits in a shed on the outskirts of town. Amazing what people will do for a couple of grand. Blaise strips out of her clothes down to her black lace bra and, surprisingly, matching panties that is not a thong. Thank fuck or I’d have to ruin the fun and pluck my uncle’s eyes out. And I think Blaise might get upset if I take her kill. Her long curls rest down to her ass and her signature black choker lays against her delicate neck. If she only knew it has dried remnants of my cum on it. She’s humming while she folds her clothes. Beingthe little psycho I love so much.She does a French inhale with her joint which is wrapped in gold paper. Apparently, she’s taking her second kill to the extreme, but fuck if it doesn’t turn me on.

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