Page 6 of A Love Like Venom

How am I ever going to survive without them?

That’s why he has to pinky promise. I’m not stupid. Reed is fifteen years old and I’m only twelve. Soon he might forget about me. Some girls might distract him. People his age will become more appealing than me.

But if he pinky promises, if he pinky promises Reed Carter can’t leave me behind.

My eyes begin to well with tears. I try to blink them away, but one manages to escape. The lone tear trails down my cheek. Before it can drop further, he captures it with his thumb.

Swiping it away he then tips my chin up. An array of emotions flicker in his eyes. In mine I’m pleading for him to never go. Seeing how serious I am he raises his pinky and holds it out in front of me.

A small smile plays on my lips as I interlock my pinky with his. Our unity is strong. And I dare anyone to tear us apart.

“I promise you, Alice Hall, I will never leave you.”

“Alice? Alice?” Grace calls my name with concern. I blink back the tears that begin to form behind my eyes as the memory escapes me.

“I’m fine.” Except my voice sounds like sandpaper. Emotions stay choked in my throat.

“I’m sorry I suggested it,” she apologizes again, mistaking my emotions.

Squeezing her pinky in mine I reply with a steadier voice. “I’m okay, Gracie Mae. I swear.” I swing our pinkies in front of us to prove it.

The sound of the front entrance door opening has both of us letting go of one another.

Righting my shoulders and standing a little taller I then count to ten.

Counting to ten has been a trick I learned when I have to mentally prepare myself.

The first time I had to count to ten was when I saw Reed Carter start to look at my sister the way I always wanted him to look at me.

And I continued counting to ten.

After that look he gave her, I counted to ten every time Reed wanted to come over.

Because in my heart I knew it wasn’t to hang out with little ole me. And my mind knew to count to ten to prepare myself for the damage he would cause.

So, I count to ten.

I count to ten and prepare myself for The Crowned Devils MC.

Snake

People are too easy to deceive.

You throw on a smile, share some jokes and the world thinks you’re fine.

That’s all it takes.

To add the cherry on top you drink a few beers. Fuck countless women and no man will question you. It’s just men being men.How fucking pathetic.And the women . . . well, the women will only label you as a player, or a pig.

Yet, still, you have some women who come begging and pleading on their hands and knees for their turn to see what it’s like to fuck the one and only Snake.

You can call me whatever the fuck you want, but these women know what they’re getting as soon as they meet me.

I make myself clear.

One night. Multiple orgasms. Be out by the time I’m awake.

The rules are simple.

---