Page 63 of A Love Like Venom

I keep punching until my knuckles feel raw.

Soon I don't even see the punching bag. I see the man who has trapped Alice in such fear. I see The Vice President of The Crowned Devils MC. Now I'm punching until my knuckles bleed and even then, I don't stop.

The need to destroy the motherfucker is all consuming.

Because maybe if I eliminate him, maybe if I can take that fucker out of the equation it will be easier to hate her.

As I punch the bag again, I know that's not true.

This is the point of no return.

If I allow my heart to get close to her again, I know in my soul I will never be able to hate her.

She'll look at me with those beautiful honey brown eyes of hers and capture me completely.

Just like the first night that I met her at the age of ten.

Sometimes I think she never released me.

My momma used to say,if someone causes you pain that means you care.She'd tell me,it's not bad to care about people, Reed, it just makes you human. You need to be able to find someone worthy of that pain. Because the good ones, the good ones always leave the most damage.

I don't think I ever really believed her. When you're a kid you don't believe the wisdom your parent gives you. Especially when you are only twelve years old. I couldn't comprehend the idea of letting someone hurt you willingly.

Then I started spending more of my nights starwishing with Alice.

It was because of those nights that when I turned thirteen I finally understood what my mother meant.

And I knew I would do anything for her.

What kills me the most is the fact that I probably still would.

Fucking hell!

Blood drips down my hands as I continue to mercilessly strike the punching bag.

"Snake.” In the distance I hear a low rumbling of a voice but I'm too lost in my own mind to give a damn. "Snake!” It calls again except this time louder.

Still, I don't let up. I can feel the sweat dripping from my brow as it also clings to my shirt.

"Snake!" His voice is as loud as thunder.

With one final strike I let out a frustrated scream and step back from the punching bag.

My chest is heaving as I take in heavy breaths. Mentally I'm still a live wire but physically I can feel the toll. My arms hang by my sides with muscle fatigue. Hanging my head, I don't see him approach but I can hear him.

It's hard to be stealthy when you're nearly seven foot tall and twice as big as the regular man.

"You should be out there," he tells me once he's reached my side.

Raising my head, I try to hide all the conflict of emotions in my eyes. "I'm not in the partying mood."

"That's the problem, Snake. You're always in the partying mood. And this time you should be, Haven is finally expecting.You know her and Dex have been trying for months." I feel like he's trying to lay a guilt trip on me. And fuck if I don't already feel guilty enough.

Haven is the only other person here who I let see a glimpse of the real me. She didn't judge me for it either. I think a small part of her understands despite her constant worrying over me. Haven is what I think having a sister would be like. Annoying but always has good intentions.

Oak is right, I should be out there. Haven has been trying to make a family of her own for months now. Dex always wanted a child with her. Due to how she got shot a year ago it led to complications. But now she's finally pregnant. A little child to call their own.

I couldn't be happier for them. Truly.

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