Page 8 of Reclaiming Venom

Her glaze clashed with mine.

“I understand that Bull sent you home with Venom when you arrived. Did you go with him willingly?” Torch asked.

“Yes,” Ridley said.

“And anything that happened while you were there was consensual? He didn’t force himself on you in any way?”

“Venom would never hurt me,” she said.

“If you had your choice, would you want to remain with Venom? Or would you prefer to move to another house? I could even arrange for your dad to stay with you,” Torch said.

Her gaze met mine again and held. It was like she was looking to me for answers, but I couldn’t say anything.

“Ridley, I’m asking you, not Venom,” Torch said.

“I want to stay with Venom,” she said softly. “If that’s okay with him.”

“Ridley, I know you came to us because your father is here,” Torch said. “But I need to know if you plan to stay even after the danger has passed. There’s not a lot of room in our club for women. You’re either a club slut or an old lady, and right now, you aren’t either.”

“If staying is an option, I think I’d like to,” she said. “But I could never be a club slut.”

“You don’t have a problem wearing someone’s brand?” Flicker asked.

“What’s a brand? Like you literally burn a brand into my skin?” she asked, her face paling.

“This is ridiculous,” Bull said. “My daughter isn’t going to be a slut or an old lady. There’s a reason I didn’t fight for sole custody. I didn’t want her around all this shit.”

“Not your decision,” Torch said.

“A brand means you’re tattooed,” I said.

“Tattooed with what?” she asked.

“You’re marked as property,” Flicker said. “You can wear it on your arm or on your back. You’ll also be given a cut that says you’re property of the biker who claims you.”

Ridley’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember my mom having that.”

Bull snorted. “Because I would have never made your mom my old lady. We were only together for a few days, then she came and found me when she discovered she was pregnant with you. But no matter what I think of your mother, I have always loved you. You’re my sweet girl, and I hate to think of you living this life.”

Ridley focused on him. “You taught me about bikes and introduced me to different MCs whenever you would visit. You never kept this way of life a secret from me, even if I don’t know all the details. I don’t need to know them. You’re a good man, Daddy, and I’m sure you’re not the only one in this room.” Her gaze met mine. “I know you aren’t. I’ve known Venom all my life, even if I wasn’t around the last fourteen years. He would never hurt me.”

Torch chuckled. “Are you laying claim to my VP?”

Her chin jutted up. “Maybe I am. Does that mean he has to get tattooed with Property of Ridley?”

As quickly as the memory hit me, it slipped away again. But it had come to me, and that was enough for now. I hadn’t just seen it through her story. I’dbeenthere. For a brief moment, I’d recalled that day.

Despite myself, I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. This woman was utterly fearless, a force of nature. And she was mine.

“I can picture it,” I said, my voice gruff. “You, all fire and sass, claiming me like a prize.”

Ridley’s eyes lit up, a connection sparking between us that transcended my fractured memories. I didn’t want to tell her I’d remembered for a moment. It might give her hope when there shouldn’t be any. There was no way of knowing when or even if my memories would return.

“Oh, you were the best prize, darlin’. Still are.”

She reached for my hand, her touch both familiar and electrifying. “Come on, let me show you the rest of our kingdom.”

Ridley led me through the house, and I drank in every detail. The kitchen wrapped around us, the lingering scent of cinnamon and coffee tickling my senses. My fingers trailed over a dent in the countertop.

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