Page 17 of A Love Like Venom

One cold brisk night I was gazing up at the stars wishing for someone, anyone, to share the burden of growing up in such a crime ridden defeating town, I felt someone staring at me.

She was beautiful.

God was she fucking beautiful.

Even young she looked like something out of a painting. A work of art that belonged in one of those fancy ass museums. Freckles splashed across her chubby cheeks and cute little nose. And her eyes, her eyes a honey brown that held onto hope. Something mine had never done. She stared at me like I held all the answers. A beacon in her dark world.

Hollows Point didn’t destroy her yet. And I knew in that moment, when my wish had come true for the first time, I wouldn’t let this town destroy her.

I gave that little girl something I had only given to my mamma. A true genuine smile that stretched on my face from ear to ear.

When I held out my hand, a bit battered and bruised, she took it immediately. Then, from that night on I had someone to gaze upon the stars with. There were enough stars in the galaxy to share my wishes with hers.

Sometimes I wonder if Alice Hall’s wishes ever came true.

And now I hope like fucking hell none of them did.

For The Crowned Devils MC this town is prime real estate. You take a town riddled with crime and broken people and you can wreak havoc.

Men like them thrive in places like this. Big fucking predators hunting upon their prey.

I thought more damage couldn’t come to this place. But hearing what Sticks told us only proves me wrong.

As we’re riding through the town I used to call ‘home’ it’s worse than when I left it.

That’s fucking saying something.

There’s a club. Apparently, The Crowned Devils own it and it’s their place to be. They even named it Hell’s Gates. Really sticking on theme with the Devil vibe.

How fucking original.

As we continue to ride my eyes catch the trailer where I used to grow up. The trailer park where it all begun. And where it all came to an end.

“What are you staring at?” A sweet and curious voice calls out to me. I look away from the stars at the top of my trailer and peer down.

There, a young girl with light brown hair in pigtails stares up at me with wide eyes. It’s not the curiosity in her voice, nor the innocence in those big brown eyes of hers. It’s her sheer angelic beauty that has me taking a pause.

It’s like the stars have finally begun to listen and my wishes are coming true.

I’m only ten years old but I know in my heart she’s the most beautiful girl in the world. For the first time in my life a genuine smile reaches my lips to someone other than my mamma.

“The stars,” I answer.

Her nose scrunches as she squints up at the sky. “Why?” She asks me. It’s a simple question. I’ve never told anyone the truth. Maybe because I still hear my father’s voice telling me men shouldn’t waste their time on silly dreams and hopeful wishes. They go out and take what they want.

I never believed him.

When her eyes meet mine once more, I’m compelled to tell the truth. “They hold all of my wishes.” My voice is small, and I can hear my heart beating fast in my chest.

She glances from me to the stars, and then back to me. She purses her lips. “Has any come true?”

I let out a quick breath as the panicky feeling in my chest subsides. She’s not like my father. I should’ve known because I see the hope in her eyes. She believes in dreams and wishes. Just like me.

Of course, an angel would.

I’m staring at a very own wish come true. “Yeah, they have.”

She smiles. She smiles brightly and wide, showing teeth with one missing. “Does that mean if I make a wish, it could come true?” She eagerly asks.

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