Page 174 of Beautiful Venom

“My sister is in the hospital!”

“Not anymore,” he says, then walks out.

“What do you mean?” I shout, all my cool disappearing. “What did you do to my sister?”

“Nothing,” Grant says. “For now.”

“If you hurt my sister, I will?—”

“Do fuck all,” Grant interrupts me with a smile. “I could kill your sister a thousand times over and you wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on me. People like you shouldn’t evenlookup at people like me, let alone try to touch us.”

I bite the inside of my cheek so hard, a metallic tang explodes on my tongue. If there’s anything I’ve learned from dealing with Kane, it’s that emotions and tantrums don’t faze him.

So I take a deep breath. “You want something, right?”

“I do.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to break up with Kane and make him believe it’s real. I’ll tell him about how you DNA-tested him and his teammates. I’ll also tell him that you only approached him to use his power and influence for your little investigation. When he confronts you, don’t offer excuses. You have to say that you never cared for him. That his only worth was the power his last name provides. I want you to sever any bond or idealistic feelings he has for you. I want you to break his emotions so that he hates relationships and foolish love.”

A whole-body tremor overtakes me, and tears of anger gather in my eyes. “Why are you doing this to him? Haven’t you hurt him enough?”

“Hurt him?” He tilts his head to the side. “I neverhurthim. I built him from the ashes of his weak emotions. My son used to be the perfect heir to the Davenport empire. He’s even been planning a coup d’état against me. For two years, he’s been patient and methodical, converting the directors and spreading his sphere of influence in the company. He’s been so subtle and smart, even I didn’t notice. Kane has been waiting for the end of the year when he becomes a Founder member to pull the trigger on his plan, but do you know what that fool did? He offered to abandon his ambition if I leave you alone.”

I take a step back, my ears ringing. Kane…gave up the takeover of his father’s empire for me?

No, that can’t be true. Kane isn’t the type who would do that…

My thoughts trail off at the reminder of the recent subtle changes.

The look in his eyes.

The way he seemed after meeting his dad the last time.

The relief.

Oh God.

“You turned my perfect son into a fucking weakling.” Grant’s voice hardens. “You ruined all my years of hard work by just existing.”

“Hard work? You abused him, you sick monster!”

“You have a day to do what I’ve instructed,” he says with calm. “If he finds out about my involvement, your sister dies. You complete the mission successfully, and I’ll arrange for your disappearance from the East Coast and a reunion with your sister. I might even tell you what truly happened to her. Be smart.”

As he leaves the lab, a sob spills from my lips.

The world splinters into pieces around me.

Vi.

Kane.

They’re both slipping from between my fingers like sand.

Everything I ever cared about is vanishing, and I can’t stop it.

I fall to the floor and scream.

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