Page 187 of Beautiful Venom

“I have to take my chances.”

A mumble of voices follows, Jude ignoring his brother’s assistant and then shouting, “Everyone out!”

The shuffle of feet, murmurs, and then Julian’s clear voice. “You need to quit your punch-first-and-ask-questions-later habits. They’re a disgrace to the Callahan name.”

“I’m going to show you the actual disgrace, big bro.”

“Jude, don’t,” I say in a tight voice. “I didn’t mean it’s risky as in it might not work. It’s risky because itcouldwork. Threatening Julian will only make him more antagonistic.”

“I don’t give a fuck,” he spits out.

“Let me talk to him.”

“I can handle this.”

“No, you can’t. Pass Julian the phone. Do us both a favor and let me do the talking.”

There’s a low curse before his voice sounds far away. “It’s Kane. He wants to talk to you.”

I tap my finger on the steering wheel as Julian’s clear voice echoes in my car. “What can I do for you, Davenport?”

“The real question is, what else can you do to grow the Callahan empire?”

“Are we having a business talk?”

“Nothing that different from what you had with Grant.”

“You’re far behind, kid. Besides, I’m disappointed in you.”

“Disappointed?”

“You brought a liability into our midst. A little girl with several tricks up her sleeve and shady motivations that could sabotage our ways. You either allowed her to perform DNA tests on you and your teammates, or you weren’t aware, which is even worse.”

My fingers tighten until I’m sure I’ll break the steering wheel. I knew Julian was in the know about everything that goes on in the Callahan facilities, but I didn’t think he’d care about a nameless campus lab.

“Grant is correct,” Julian continues. “I had extremely high hopes for you, especially after watching your behind-the-scenes methodical modus operandi. However, you allowed a mere fucking girl to topple it all to the ground.”

“Not all.”

“Oh?”

“You think I’d hand Grant everything in my arsenal? That I’d remain defenseless? Me, of all people?”

“Good for you. However, I still have no interest in internal conflict. I have my own to take care of.”

“Then stay out, completely, and I promise, whatever the outcome, you won’t be a loser.” I pause. “You know Grant’s temper. You’re well aware of his failing business decisions lately, due to which he had to cut funding for your new experimental drug.”

“His failing business decisions don’t compare to your massive loss of judgment.”

“It’s not a loss of judgment. It’s part of a plan.”

“What plan?”

“Let Violet go. And we might discuss this further.”

“Good one. Unfortunately, however, Violet is a family issue now, as it affects my brother.”

“Let’s go outside,” Jude says from the other end. “We’ll fight it out.”

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