Page 63 of Rawest Venom

Swallowing, my mouth feels very dry, my tongue thick and heavy. “I think I did die. Who—where—are we safe?”

Her head whips around as her fingers still clutch the fabric of my shirt, as if she’s afraid to let go. “Yes. I did a sweep, but I don’t know if they will be back.”

“I think I can walk now.”

Tugging me to a stand, she places her shoulder underneath mine as we stumble out of the forest together in silence. Every ten feet or so, she pauses to check our six before pressing on. By the time we make it to the entrance of the woods, my legs can carry me again, muscles gaining full control.

Sliding into the Tesla I rented for the evening, I punch in the hotel’s address and allow it to cart us there.

“What are we going to do?” Vera’s eyes stare at me as if I have all the answers. And I think I do. Down in that dark pit, I realized what my mistake was. Where I was led astray. I’m not easily fooled, but I have been. All because everyone lies…except my Veracity.

“We’re getting back on the plane as soon as we pack up at the hotel and leave. And…” With a quick nod toward the computer system in the car, I finish, “We’ll talk further then.” My jet has better security on board, fully outfitted with anti-spy gear. No one can listen there.

Calling, I give verbal instructions to my crew and staff to prepare the plane for us while Vera and I hustle to gather our belongings from the penthouse, the bellhops aiding with Vera’s boxes of books. With a wave, I tell the clerk to send everything to my credit card before heading out front. The chauffeur couriers us to the tarmac with extra haste after tipping him several thousand dollars in cash.

I point out the way to my office for my girl, and we settle in the cushy club chairs side by side. Never letting a piece of her clothing or skin go, my thumb rubs continuously over her wrist as the steward brings in a tray of food for us. Dismissing the staff, I clear the room of prying ears and eyes with a press of a button.

“You don’t have any devices on you.”

“No,” she says, grabbing a cut chickpea salad sandwich from the tiered tray. She hands it to me before she takes one for herself. That’s just the woman she is, looking out for me.

Clearing my throat, I ask her, “Who do you want to be?”

With shock, her green eyes widen. “Who? What do you mean?”

Stuffing one little sandwich in my mouth, I chew quickly, then brush my hands together before dropping to my knees in front of her chair. Her legs spread to allow my torso between them. Tipping her chin toward me, I gaze up at her with reverence.

“I want you to pick your name. Your first name…to go with Von Dovish.”

Her eyes refuse to blink as the tip of her tongue escapes her blush lips, gathering up a few breadcrumbs before she swallows. “What are you saying, Cal?”

“I’m saying what I’ve always said. You’re mine, puppet. You’re my Mrs. Von Dovish. Pick any name you want. You’re not Zero. You’re not Jane. So, then, who are you, other than the soon-to-be Mrs. Von Dovish?”

Delicate fingers lace through mine as she pulls me closer to her. “Cal…you can’t marry me. I’m a nobody.”

Sitting up on my knees, I press my forehead to hers. “You’re everything.”

Tiny sniffles interrupt our moment, and I spy a tear trailing down her cheek. “You call me Veracity. I want to be her.”

A smile creeps over my lips at the acknowledgement. “Youareher. Veracity Von Dovish… We can have a brood of Vs. Virginia, Victor, Vivianne, Valin…” My brow furrows. “NotVlad.”

Her tears now stream as her breath seeps inside her chest in staccato puffs. Wiping my thumbs across her freckles, I gather them up, and lick my fingers, then place my lips on either side of her nose and kiss herbefore meeting her mouth in a consuming embrace. Her body practically absorbs me as she wraps her legs around my waist.

“Wait, puppet. I want to ravage you soon, but we need to make some plans. Strategize together.” With wet eyes, she presses her face into my neck and nods, a muffled affirmation vibrating along my skin.

Standing with her still surrounding me, I move us to the loveseat while my hands work to stroke her back, soothing her.

“I’ll get you a ring and a better proposal.”

Barely audible, she mumbles into my chest, “I don’t need it.”

“Ido. You’ll be Mrs. Von Dovish of the West Side of Gnarled Pine Hollow. You’ll make your appearance as mywife. You’ll bear my heirs and help me care for our people.” Grasping her red locks, I tug her back to look at me, her face puffy and flushed…and beautiful. “But, most importantly, you’ll help me take down Herodius when we find out their plans.”

Clearing her eyes with a few quick blinks, she responds, “Of course. But Donovan?—”

“Don’t worry about him. He wants our product, and I’ll happily move it into his area with ease. He’ll agree to sever your contract, so you’ll be free to be mine.”

“So you think it was Dash and Dot who were here to poison us?”

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