Page 81 of The Vipers and Their Vendetta

I go to where I’ve hidden it in the back of a drawer, checking it’s still there. My fingers close around cool metal, and I exhale. This is my insurance, in case things get really bad.

I scrub my hand over my face. No, I’m being fucking stupid, but then … what other explanation is there?

The picture that got the worst of the damage is one of Vani. The water has distorted her beautiful face so now it’s as though she’s crying and melting at the same time.

Merde.

I take my cell phone out of my pocket and call Lex, but he doesn’t answer. Where the hell is he?

I send him a text.

I consider things for a moment and fire off two more texts.

Then I take one last look at my destroyed paintings before heading out the door.

Those Preachers have messed with the wrong man.

CHAPTER 31

Zane

The messagefrom Saint says to meet at the mansion. It woke me from a deep sleep and a delicious dream where Venom was sucking my cock. I’d much rather stay in bed and jerk off than obey Saint’s command to meet. Something else must have happened, though.

Yesterday, we’d agreed to leave things for a day or two, so we could think about things rationally and not make a mistake by being too rash, so why the change of heart?

Sighing, I head to the shower. I can’t resist taking care of my erection as I wash—it’s too good to waste. I brace one hand against the shower wall, my biceps and pecs flexing, and wrap the other around my cock. I only have one person in mind to jerk off to, and that’s the curvy, dark-haired girl who is filling my thoughts, even though I hate that she’s betrayed us.

Water runs down my body, dripping off my hair and the end of my nose. I work my other hand up and down my length, growing harder in my grip. Pre-cum leaks from the slit, so much that it’s almost like I’m coming. What I’d give to be inside Vani now, to have her soft, heated body wrapped around me. I’d fuck her so hard and so deep that she’d never be the same again. In my mind, she’s on her back, her thighs and tits and belly jigglingwith every thrust. Her legs are hooked around my hips, and she curls her back so she can watch my cock enter her. She’s so wet and stretched. Her lips are parted as she moans and gasps for breath, and she gazes up at me with a combination of lust and adoration.

Ah, fuck.

My balls draw in tight, and I clench my ass and thighs, the sinew and muscle taut. Hot cum races up my cock and spurts against the shower wall. The intense pleasure has me squeezing my eyes shut, and I jerk and shudder with each additional release that goes through me.

I exhale a long breath and remain in that position as my erection softens in my hand.

My heart aches. What if I never get to do that with Vani again, for real?

I can’t think about that now. I need to meet the others, and telling them I’m late because I jerked off in the shower probably won’t cut it.

I turn off the water, dress quickly, and jog out the door.

I head down to the lower corridors and take the back way out, passing by the woodworking rooms. As I jog down the hallway, I hear commotion from inside the room. I glance at my phone. It’s too early for any of the classes, so I push open the door and peer inside.

There are two of the technicians who help students out during class, and they’re muttering and swearing. I see why. I stare in dismay at the mess. Everything is as it was except for my table,

No, notmytable. Vani’s table. My gift to her. Now it’s ruined. It’s gouged and scarred by what looks like a knife. Who would do something like this?

The Preachers.

Didn’t Vani say they wanted to come after us, that they’re pissed at us? God knows why. They’re such weirdos, though; do they even need a reason?

“Why the fuck did you call me down here to look at a damaged table?”

I pivot to see Dom behind me, speaking to the technicians, ignoring me entirely. Great. At least it’s not the dean. “Whose is it?” he asks.

One of the techs points nervously at me.

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