Page 25 of A Love Like Venom

“It means that you,Alice Hall, are the furthest thing from it. And you never fucking were. One day when it comes time to rest your eyes for good, you’ll see your true maker,” he snarls.

And all the anger dissipates as the immeasurable pain comes flooding back in. The feeling so heavy that I feel like I might collapse.

“What happened to you?” I try to hold back the tears, but my voice is choked by sobs. The man before me I hardly recognize, if not at all.

He snorts. Then, he takes the glass bottle of beer to his lips and tips it back. After taking a swallow he wipes the remnants with the back of his hand. His eyes meet mine cuttingly. I try not to recoil. “Do I hear concern? It’s a little too late for that don’t you think?” He bites.

I blink pass the tears that threaten to fall. I refuse to cry in front of him. Seeing his behavior towards me now he just might enjoy it. And I don’t want to give him the satisfaction.

So, I swallow my cries. I bite back the nausea burning in my throat. And as I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, I try to appear emotionless.

If this is the game he wants to play then fine, I’ll join.

I’ll do him better and remain unaffected. I won’t let his words get to me. I won’t let his eyes make me fall.

I will not crumble.

I didn’t for my mother, nor my sister. I amnotgoing to crumble because of him.

“Then why are you here? What brings you back to Hollows Point seeing as nothing is here for you?”

It’s then I realize what exactly he’s wearing and who he is accompanied with. Like all men who belong to The Crowned Devils MC, Reed is also wearing a black leather cut. Except his logo is of a viper with its mouth opened wide, fangs dripping blood, ready to strike. Just above the viper is a patch that says, Vipers MC.

The man besides him is wearing the exact same, but his cut has an extra patch. Vice President.

My breath comes out shaky as I try to fight the sudden fear.

I have no clue what him and Reed are capable of. If it’s anything close to what The Crowned Devils do . . .

The man besides him who is massive gives me my first soft look of the night. His eyes are gentle. But it’s the only thing gentle about him.

The guy is massive, almost larger than life. He sits on the bar stool that looks too small for his frame. He’s broad and brawn. His body a machine made of muscle and strength. One punch from him could knock you out cold. Tattoos begin at his neck and continue downwards. I can see more peeking above his black shirt.

This is a man who can do great harm.

Sensing my fear, the big guy raises both of his hands, which are also tattooed, in a sign of surrender.

Keeping his gentle eyes on mine he says in a gravel tone that matches his frame, “We don’t mean you any harm.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Reed smirk from his claim. “Who are you?”

Big guy lowers his hands slowly, showing he means no harm, and rests them palm open on the counter of the bar.

I appreciate it, but it doesn’t help the uneasy feeling. Especially not with Reed smirking like the cat who ate the canary. I shiver at the thought.

“My name is Oak.” He introduces himself.

“Oak,” I repeat his name doubtfully.

He gives me a small smile which isn’t reassuring at all. “Snake and I are here to talk business. That’s all,” he tells me. As I hear the name Snake, I glance over to Reed.

Snake? He calls himself Snake?

Before I can think better of it, I ask him, “Why Snake?”

He tilts his head to the side, pinning me with eyes as dark as his soul has turned to be. “Reed Carter is dead. Best you fucking remember that.” Another twist from the knife. Each time he speaks it’s more painful than the last.

Oak clears his throat and I shift my misty eyes to him. He looks apologetic. “Forgive Snake, he’s had some rough days.” As he tries to apologize onSnake’sbehalf, he only snorts.

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