Page 62 of A Love Like Venom

Gracie Mae is the type of friend everyone should have.

Squeezing my pinky before letting go she then drapes my arm over her shoulder. Leaning against her she supports my weight effortlessly.

She walks me out of Razor's office with extreme caution and care. Checking the hallway to make sure it's clear we then make a break for it. Assisting me we pick up the pace the best that I can. We pass the random patrons as we make our way to the back exit.

Once we reach the back exit Grace pushes open the door and we quickly get out leaving the door to shut automatically behind us.

The humidity hits my skin, but I don't even care. I'd rather feel this intense heat than his disgusting fingers lingering on my skin.

Grace continues to support me as we make it to her car. She unlocks it when we are on the passenger side. Opening the door, she ushers me in and then straps on the seat belt for me. Quickly she rounds the car and jumps in the driver seat. Not bothering with her own seatbelt, she starts the car and peels it out of here.

My eyes take in the night sky and all the stars it holds.

I haven't made a wish in so long. Maybe if I make one now it could come true.

Before I do I ask Grace, "Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me."

I smile weakly at her. "But I do." It seems that Gracie Mae has weaved her way in and entered my heart. Allowing another person to have the chance to break it.

Her hand reaches across the center console until it finds mine. "I worry about you, too. Rest, Alice. I'll wake you up when we get there."

I nod my head and look back out the window. Staring up at the stars I find the brightest one and close my eyes.

Pathetic as it may be I wish for my Reed Carter to return.

Snake

Something isn't right.

Something isn't right inside this head of mine.

Because ever since I saw the look of sheer terror on Alice's face my mind has been at battle with my soul.

These demons of mine haven't silenced. They're screaming at me, clawing their way out of my chest wanting me to do something.

I thought threatening the motherfucker would be enough. I did my part. In my mind I did something to keep her safe. Threaten the big bad wolf from hurting my little red riding hood.

In my soul that I thought I had lost on the night I knew of her betrayal it's telling me that I haven't done enough to protect her.

Hating Alice Hall has been easy but these conflicting emotions surrounding her have been anything but.

Do I hate her, or do I want to protect her?

My soul is asking the real hard-hitting question, do you hate her or are you just in pain?

When it comes to Alice Hall no one has caused me more pain. Yeah, her sister Caitlin cheated on me and sure, I was fucking hurt about it, but I wasn't scarred from it. Caitlin left a wound to my ego, but Alice created a gaping hole in my chest.

The man she used to know from before, Reed Carter, he doesn't seem as far away now. And he wants nothing more than to protect the girl he once saw as his home.

And as much as I say that I hate her, tell myself a million times until I'm fucking blue in the face I don't know if I really believe it anymore.

That's what has me royally fucked.

My mind trying to convince my soul that Alice Hall is a demon isn't working.

Landing multiple strikes against the punching bag the sound of my fists drowns out the music in the main area of the compound.

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