Page 50 of A Love Like Venom

The Vice President of The Crowned Devils MC is one slimy motherfucker. He stands like he holds all this grand power. Carrying himself like he can have whatever the fuck he wants. He does what he pleases and doesn't give a damn about the casualties.

Men like him are despicable human beings. I can see it in his eyes how he views people. He views them like they're objects. Like they're his very own personal toy that he can play with.

And who can stop him when everyone is afraid of him?

You see, men like him operate off of fear. When people are afraid, they will never say no.

I saw how Alice reacted when we mentioned him. I saw the pure fear in her eyes.

I bet he's already preying upon her. I'm sure he can sense it and one day he's going to capitalize on it.

He's going to make her too afraid to say no.

I'm not about to sit back and let that happen.

Not again.

Alice Hall is undoubtedly wrong for what she did to me, but I will never let someone take advantage of her.

That's a fucking line that will not be crossed.

I may be a lot of things but I'm not a fucking monster.

Not like the men who belong to that MC.

"What did you say?" Dex is all too eager to know. Haven hasn't tamed the beast inside of him at all. He can hide it all he wants but we all know the truth. The man still loves a good fight.

I give him a sparing glance as I reply nonchalantly, "That I would kill him." That's only part of the truth. I'm not going to tell them what I really said to him. They don't need to know that piece of information. It has nothing to do with them or the club.

Oak doesn't even know what I really said to the motherfucker. While he was busy having words with The President, I was having words with The Vice President.

15 Hours Earlier . . .

I'm pulling a draw from my second cigarette as I wait for Oak to come out of Hell's Gates. Around me is nothing but lost and desperate souls. Being surrounded by it reminds me too much of my childhood and how I always wanted to escape. I never wanted to grow up to become one of them. Always searching. Always looking for an escape.

My mom would be proud of me for making it out of here. All she ever wanted was the best for me. She said I deserved more than she could ever give me. In the end of her final days, she wished for me to find peace and happiness. Told me that it was okay to have darkness but to find someone who could balance it.

When I told her that I had found it she disagreed. That should have been my first red flag surrounding Caitlin Hall. My mother never approved of her. It was Alice who she loved from the first moment they met.

That's what Alice did. Her angelic beauty and her constant light drew people to her.

I was affected just the same.

Look how that burned me.

Taking the last draw from the cigarette I flick the bud to the ground. It's then that I see Oak coming out of Hell's Gates with that perfect stone-cold expression on his face.

The man has the perfect mask of keeping his emotions concealed. Everything is close to the chest with him. That's until his control slips when he sleeps. Then the nightmares come reminding him of all the guilt he should have left on the battlefield.

"What was the hold up?"

"Someone has to pay for the drinks. Second time I was left with the bill, by the way," he tells me but by his tone he doesn't really care.

I shrug and then offer, "I'll get it next time."

He narrows his eyes at me. "About that. Not fucking happening."

My brows furrow. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

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