Page 55 of A Love Like Venom

"Is she though? Because last time I checked she wasn't claimed. Let me repeat myself because it seems you really aren't that bright. You touch her you'll be joining the last man who did. You can tell the devil Snake said hi while you're down there."

Finally, he takes a step back but that doesn't mean I can't feel the anger rolling from him in waves.

Before he can say another word his President claps him on the shoulder and it breaks our heated stare.

"You either leave our town the fuck alone or reap the consequences. It's that simple." Oak gives him an ultimatum. I know that they aren't going to bite. They are too used to getting what they want. Men like them won't go down without a fight.

"We'll see about that. I'm sure we will be seeing each other again. Until next time," he dismisses us. Then turning to his club, he says, "Come on boys. Time for us to have some fun."

Each member spares us a glance before following their President.

The last one to leave is The Vice President. He doesn't hide his fury as he gives me one last glare.

With my eyebrow raised and a smirk on my face I wait for him to say something to me. Anything really. I really want an excuse to punch this guy in the fucking face.

"Snake," he spits my name.

I nod my head in his direction. "Asshole."

Proving to be the name I have given him he spits at my feet. His dirty saliva landing on my steel toed black boots. He snickers before joining the rest of his club. All of them hooting and hollering as they enter Fantasy.

"He's threatened by you," Oak states.

"Threatened by me or not, Oak, that's not going to stop him or the rest of his club."

"I know," he agrees. "Sticks isn't going to be happy about this."

"We need to prepare for a war. These guys are going to fight dirty." I break it to him.

He hums thoughtfully before grunting, "I know. For now, let's head home."

I listen to Oak but on the whole ride home I know this isn't the last we are going to see of The Crowned Devils MC.

Alice

Sometimes you wonder how many times you can get knocked down before one day you can't get back up.

Because when life constantly uses you as a punching bag leaving you black and blue you can't help but wonder what if this is it?

What if this is the time you will not be able to get back up?

I've always been a little worse for wear. My battered heart doesn't beat like it used to. It's out of rhythm, trying to keep up with the right tempo. My body feels weak, sluggish. It's come to the point where getting out of bed proves to be a feat all in itself. Will my legs hold me for another day? Is my body strong enough to take on the toll of what's to come?

That's not the worst of it.

It's my mind. Because what's worse than the physical weakness is the mental exhaustion. In my mind there is a war. A war that has begun since I was born. And I had thought I conquered it. There was a time in my life where I found peace. But that peace was short lived. It was temporary. The war inside my mind never left, Reed Carter was just one great big distraction. He was an escape.Myescape.

Then the war in my head came back full force when he returned.

And it seems life has been punching me harder ever since.

Staring in the mirror I'm haunted by the woman that I see. She's starting to become someone who I hardly recognize. The pain is there, as it always has been but now there are hints of defeat in these eyes.

My fingers lightly trace the bruising on my neck. His fingerprints are left behind with red and blue marks that are swollen. The way he held my throat, holding my life in his hands, staring in the eyes of a monster.

No, staring in the dark blue depths of the devil had me terrified.

Then there is the mark. His carved initial that makes him believe that I belong to him. A branding, leaving a permanent scar for me to bare.

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