Page 87 of The Venom We Bleed

With a shake of his head, Lex turns away once more. "No, but I know where he was staying. He was transient for the most part. He was bunking with some of the meth heads by the old train tracks in the abandoned car lot back there.”

“What else do you know about Otis?”

He looks over his shoulder as he speaks. “He wasn't necessarily a violent offender. A piece of shit and an addict, but he had no history of violence against women or rape.”

Which can only mean one thing. Otis attacked Juliet because someone likely paid him to.

“We’ll figure it out,” I say, stretching to my feet with my arms over my head. My back muscles pop and I repress a groan. “I’ve got to head to work. Darrio has me running some errands this afternoon.” I eye Lex as he yanks on his shoes and quickly does up the laces. Without giving myself a chance to think too hard, I say, “Why don’t you pick Jules up from work and drop her off at my house later?”

His head lifts, his expression morphing into one of excitement. Like a kid on Christmas. “Just me?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, but don’t fuck around,” I say. “Text me when you pick her up.”

Lex agrees readily, his whole demeanor changing in an instant. Lightness exudes from him as he hurriedly finishes getting ready for practice despite the fact that he’s a solid half-hour late. Even if he knows Coach is going to murder him on the field for tardiness, now that he knows he’ll see Juliet afterward, he doesn’t even seem to care.

I shake my head as I leave the locker room. I almost pity the girl. She doesn't realize it yet, but Juliet Donovan has attracted a monster and he has every intention of caging her. Before too long, the people of Silverwood will forget what her father didand who her father is. They'll forget all about her, and then he'll strike.

34

JULIET

The Dionysus Lounge is full today. Each massive circular booth the hosts use to chat with their ‘guests’ has at least one man. Sensual instrumental music pours out of invisible speakers. I stop by one of the tables and set down a fresh bucket of ice and a three-hundred-dollar champagne. Margo, the host, frowns my way when her client isn’t looking. She’d been outside when Gio had driven up and dropped me off. Even outside of Silverwood, I can’t escape their infamy.

Once I’m done with my task, I turn tail and head back to the bar. Mads stands there, waiting with a tray in hand as the bartender pours drinks while the ticket machine beeps and spits out another order. Mads straightens and smiles as I approach.

“Hey, how are you?” she asks, her tone hesitant as if she’s not sure of her welcome.

I sigh, turn, and prop my hip against the side of the bar. “I don’t know if I have an answer to that,” I tell her honestly.

The soft look of understanding she sends me makes me want to shove my head through a glass window. At least she means it though. One thing I’ve managed to discern from Madison Torres is that she’s every bit as kind as she acts. She’s not one to gossip or spill other people’s secrets. I’ve watched her listento Roquel drone on and on about other people’s problems. She never says a word about any of them, never agrees, but always listens. I wonder if she’ll listen to me if I tell her about the Scorpion Kings.

Another waitress comes up and practically snatches the tray from Mads’ hands, grabbing the three drinks that the bartender plunks down and loading them up before disappearing. Mads watches her go, her hands now empty with a creased brow. When she turns back to me, the long golden blonde hair that she has pulled into a high ponytail swishes over the nape of her exposed neck.

“I assume it has to do with the Scorpion Kings?” she hedges.

“When is it evernotabout them?” I groan. Now that I’m no longer in the fold of Silverwood Prep—the Scorpion Kings are all I know. I haven’t even been able to go to Cory’s gym anymore because now I know that Gio goes there too. Then again, I’m staying with Nolan. If there’s no avoiding Gio, then I guess I can start going back. I’ve missed it.

Mads is quiet for a moment more, her gaze turning down. She looks contemplative. I don’t mind the silence. My eyes move over her in her dark wash shorts and shimmery low-cut blouse. It's not real silk, though it does a great impression of it. Real silk isn't that shiny.

“Can I…” Mads stops and lifts her head, a blush stealing across her cheeks. She ducks down again. “Never mind, it’s none of my business.”

But now I’m curious. “Can you what?” I prompt her.

Her jaw firms and this time, when she raises her head, her eyes connect with mine and they don’t leave. “I want to offer you advice,” she admits. “But … I don’t normally do it unless someone has asked, and you…” She gestures to me.

“Haven’t?” I finish.

She nods.

Setting my tray on the end of the bar, I cross my arms over my chest. “Go ahead,” I tell her.

She starts talking as if she’s worried she’ll lose her nerve before the words are out. “Be careful,” she says. “With them, I mean.”

I arch a brow. “With the Scorpion Kings?”

Her chin jerks down. “I’m sure you think you know them because you’ve lived in Silverwood your whole life, but you don’t know them—therealthem.”

It takes effort not to let myself go cold at her words. “And you do?” I inquire cautiously.

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