Page 54 of A Love Like Venom

"Oh, I'm aware," Oak replies. "But like your crew who has stepped in on our territory I couldn't give a damn."

Their President laughs but it isn't filled with any humor. I still don't spare him a glance as I keep my eyes on The Vice President. His eyes haven't wavered from mine. We are both in a silent showdown seeing which one breaks first.

I don't like how the fucker is looking at me, like he's already won.

"Maybe you should give a damn," their President warns the both of us and takes a threatening step forward.

I automatically step in front of Oak to protect him and give the guy a lethal glare. My hand is already on the inside of my vest ready to pull out my handy knife or gun.

Options, options.

Suddenly I can't seem to decide which one I would love to see bring them to their demise.

Before I can do anything, The Vice President gets in my face almost coming toe to toe with me.

My glare becomes more menacing. Then my hand grips the sharpest knife I have. Stabbing him will prove to be more painful which is only more fun for me.

"Who the fuck are you?" He sneers.

I tilt my head to the side as I assess him. There's something about his face that I can't wait to smash in. Not answering I reply with my own question. "So, you're the right-hand man?"

He puffs his chest. He fucking puffs his chest. "I'm The Vice President dick head. I hold way more power than you," he laughs like I'm a joke. Me, a joke. Get a load of this guy.

I laugh along with him. "All that power and it's going to be me who holds your life in my hands."

"You think you can threaten me?"

"I just did. For someone who has power you don't have much brains do you?" I mock. His jaw ticks as I see the tendons in his neck strain.

"You're going to pay for that," he threatens me now.

"I'm so scared. Look at me, I'm shaking in my fucking boots," I scoff.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," he growls.

He's right, I don't. But I do know men like him are all the same. They think they can instill fear in everyone they meet. Have people just bow down to them. I'm not one of those people. And fucking hell, I'll make sure my little Alice isn't either.

Because that look of terror that mirrors the very same one when she was seventeen hasn't left my mind. It doesn't sit right with me.

Demons or not I'm not about to let some guy lay a hand on her.

Alice Hall is mine.

Mine to hurt. Mine to hate.

She’s fucking mine to protect from fuckers like him and anyone else who dares to come near her.

Alice is mine in every way. And everyone in the world is going to fucking know it.

"Let's make one thing clear, shall we?" I step right up to him. We are eye to eye now. Both of us looking ready for a fight. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. But I'll give you a little clue. You touch Alice Hall with any one of those grimy fingers or even breathe in her direction I'll do to you what I did to the last man that touched her."

"And what's that exactly?"

"You'll have to ask him in hell. I'm pretty sure that's where he is. God didn't fucking want him."

I'll give the man credit, he doesn't back away from me. He doesn't even falter. Stronger than I thought he would be. I'm almost impressed. "She means something to you because the last time I checked she's mine, not yours."

That's where he's wrong. Alice doesn't belong to him. She belongs to me. Her and I are tied together whether we like it or not. Although she's one of my demons I have to face I'm not going to put her up for slaughter. Least of all to this fucking slime bag.

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